Technology has brought drastic change to the world. Innovations, developments, and inventions transformed our lives to a better stage. A great transition from the traditional way of living to a modernized one is noticeable.
We are living in an automated world. Different areas are being automated from business sectors, various industries, and homes.
We will not be surprised if everything around us works automatically in the following decades to come. Advancements and developments might lead to a technology-based world one day.
Home automation is one technology under the stage of development. It has made a significant contribution to reducing human effort in home management in recent years.
Various types of Home Automation Systems have been introduced in the last few years. They have been made accessible to us and rapidly adopted by consumers. But with so many varieties, we suffer difficulties in choosing which of them is suitable for our home.
This article will help address that concern. Learning how the different types of home automation systems can assist us with our decision-making.
What Are the Types of Home Automation Systems?
Home automation systems work using the concept of controls. It can either be wireless or not. Based on it, we can create different automation systems. They are:
- Power Line Home Automation System
This type of automation system uses existing power lines to transmit data. There is no need for auxiliary cables.
But it comprises extreme complexity and requires extra converter circuits and devices. Regardless, this automation system is inexpensive, making it accessible for many.
- Wired Home Automation System
This home automation system comprises a central control center to connect all household devices. It uses a communication cable to link all the devices to the primary control system. The central controller is programmable so that we can customize its setting.
Actuators are attached to devices. They serve as the bridge that allows the devices to communicate with the primary control system.
A computer is used as the central platform that manipulates the entire operation. It secures constant communication to the primary control center.
- Wireless Home Automation
Contrary to the wired home automation systems, this type uses wireless technologies. Examples of this technology are Bluetooth, Zigbee, GSM, IR, and many more. They handle a remote-controlled operation.
Below are typical examples of a wireless home automation system.
- Touch Screen Based Home Automation System
From the name itself, this automation system revolves around the idea of controlling devices using our sense of touch. This type uses a micro-controller that manipulates all the devices just by attaching one to another.
This micro-controller is enclosed with a touchscreen panel. It allows the user to transmit command signals to the device starting the operation.
- Wi-Fi Based Home Automation System
This automation system uses Wi-Fi technology. Communication among devices is done through a hardware interface. The user can log in to the server using the same technology. We highly used the Internet to make this system work.
- Bluetooth Based Home Automation System
Bluetooth has been a widely known and highly used sharing device protocol. Because of its flexibility, applying it to home automation is not a problem.
The Bluetooth-based automation system is one of the most popular home automation systems at present. We also consider it to be one of the most outstanding technologies to ever be developed.
It is convenient and straightforward to use. However, it also suffers from limitations. One of them is its short range for operations.
- Raspberry Pi Based Home Automation System
It is one of the healthiest home automation systems. Its incredible versatility and interactivity make it an excellent choice for home automation.
It also uses a micro-controller link to a computer. It is easy to manipulate and suitable for real-life applications. It is economical too, making it accessible to more house owners.
- Cloud-Based Home Automation System
This automation system is ideal to use in monitoring and manipulating our household appliances. It uses a designed gateway that collects data from household appliances.
The system transmits the collected data to a cloud-based server. Once processed, remote monitoring and manipulating of the devices’ specific functions are set.
- Zigbee Based Home Automation System
This automation system works using a wireless technology called Zigbee. The design encompasses hardware and software modules. They work hand in hand to form one central programmable platform for home automated devices.
The system is designed to provide an inexpensive yet high-standard home automation system accessible to anyone.
Conclusion
To ensure accessibility, various home automation systems are designed at a low cost. However, few of them suffer from expected standards. Studying each type of home automation system helps us choose the right automation system for our home. It should be inexpensive but straightforward and high performing as well.
