There’s a quaint charm to the typical American suburbia. Cookie-cutter houses as far as the eyes can see trapped inside a bubble, frozen in time. However, what your eyes might not have perceived is that some of these homes are one step closer to utopia.
Smart devices bring the typical American household into the future. Technological marvels such as an Amazon Echo, HomePod, or Google Assistant elevate the comfort and convenience of your home. You can regulate the HVAC system at home. Even security systems have become intelligent, as well.
The home of the future
Compared to decades ago, there’s been a growing adoption of home automation around the world. At least 24% of the American household owns asmart speaker, according to a Nielsen study. On the other hand, the smart home market is expected to grow into a $53-billion industry by 2022 according to Zion Market Research. According to the latter, the Internet of Things fills the American household’s need for convenience, safety, and better energy consumption.
When properly installed, smart devices can optimize a house’s energy consumption, improving the sustainability of the home. Researchers Nicole Sintov and Wesley Schultz in 2017 proposed that augmented automation-combined human intervention and automation efforts-maximizes the energy efficiency of the home. You can calibrate your devices to limit water consumption, maintain a normalized temperature, or lessen the brightness of your light bulbs.
However, utopia can easily turn into a dystopia inside a smart home. Privacy has been a long-running concern for smart speakers. These speakers use the data it gathers to further improve its usability, which, when in the wrong hands, can also be used for surveillance. There’s also their security. With the right know-how, someone can hack into your smart home should you have an abysmal network security protocols.
Smart devices present a new, uncharted territory for the world. There’s no standardization yet for IoT-enabled devices; the market’s hunger for innovation can lead to increased vulnerabilities and security risks. However, being vigilant and smart with technology can surely help with defending your home from intrusions.
Building your own smart home
More often than not, the first smart device a typical household will own is a smart speaker. Whether it’s an Amazon Echo, HomePod, or Google Assistant, this is your starting point in creatingan IoT haven for your home. These devices act as a central hub for all your smart device needs.
From there, consider your energy consumption. The easiest to install by far are smart lighting systems. Some produce your typical white light, make it dimmer or brighter; others can set the mood your home and improve the atmosphere by changing the colors. There’s also the smart plugs, which makes your run-of-the-mill appliances into smart ones.
Local security companies can help install home surveillance kits and smart security systems in your home. You can monitor from the inside who rang the doorbell through motion sensors and one-way or two-way feeds. There are also smart locks that act as deadbolts to prevent any home invasions.
There’s a novelty to the convenience and comfort smart devices bring. Somehow, you can feel like living in 2062, as the cast of The Jetsons do. The American home may have become smarter, but that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. Build the secure, IoT-connected home you want and you’ll receive all the perks with none of the threats attached to it.
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