In the past few years, with the digital revolution, smart homes are increasingly valued and demanded by home-buyers in India as well because they offer unmatched convenience, efficiency and safety. Technology integrated have evolved from being luxury offerings to essential components of modern homes that contribute towards and enhanced energy efficiency and safety. Here are top five smart devices essential to make your life easy.
Smart locks
The new smart locks these days provide a keyless safety system in digital locks which eliminate the need for keys, which can be lost or copied without authorization. The superior biometric access which includes finger or facial recognition enhances safety. The idea is to allow users to give family members their own codes and temporary, time-restriction access for service providers; remote unlocking enables emergency entry from anywhere in the world. Logs of who unlocked your door at what time (including auto-locking), data with regards to whether the keyhole is in use, and audible alarms for when someone tries to tamper with the lock provide additional security.
Smart smoke detectors
Protect your home from fire hazards with intelligent smoke detectors. These devices sound early alarms associated with smoke and carbon monoxide-thus initiating a chain of responses in the event of an emergency. Some other advanced features include real-time notifications on your smartphone, voice alarms that help in pinpointing the location and type of threat, a self-testing mechanism built within the alarm system that helps in understanding if its malfunctioning and compatibility with additional smart home systems for potential automated responses like controlling HVAC systems and lighting for heightened safety.
Smart leak detectors
Smart Water Leak Detectors should be your new first line of defence against water damage. These detectors are coupled with state-of-the-art sensors that can detect leaks, moisture and temperature changes as soon as these issues are encountered – communicating any abnormal readings straight to your smartphone. Many of these detectors also offer capabilities like real-time alerts, smart home integration for automated water shut-off and a history analysis to identify any lingering issues. Seamlessly connected to your home's plumbing, these detectors give you a heads up and will prevent water damage remotely.
Smart security cameras
Monitor your home effectively with smart security cameras equipped with high-definition video quality typically up to 2K resolution. These cameras feature night vision. This ensures clear images in low-light conditions. They have advanced motion detection. This alerts you to any unusual activity. Many models offer two-way audio. This allows you to communicate with anyone on your property remotely. They also provide cloud storage for easy access to recorded footage. Integration with smart home systems enables automated responses, such as activating alarms or lights. With real-time notifications and remote viewing capabilities through your smartphone you can stay informed and secure whether you're at home or away.
Smart home hubs
Integrate and control all your smart devices with smart home hub. These hubs act as central command centre for managing a wide range of smart home devices. They allow you to use voice commands or a mobile app for seamless operation. Often they feature a touchscreen interface for easy control and monitoring. They support multiple communication protocols as well as integration with popular smart home ecosystems. Many hubs offer additional functionalities. These include video calling, media streaming and smart home automation routines.
(Shyam Motwani is Business Head, Locks & Architectural Fittings and Systems business of Godrej & Boyce, part of Godrej Enterprises Group)
