For thousands of years, innovation has been the core of human endeavour and over the past century, technological innovations have been transforming the way we live our lives daily.
When we think of the future people often imagine flying cars, robots in the house, smart glasses, fingerprint technology and the list continues. The reality is that this technology is already present in the modern world. While you may think artificial intelligence (AI) is at the centre of all of this, what about smart home automation?
Smart home automation and major companies around the world, including Google, Apple, Amazon and Samsung have taken the lead in developing smarter homes and introduced their own software systems like Google Home, Apple Siri, Microsoft Cortana and Amazon Echo Alexa to just name a few. But what about Control4?
In 2003, Control4 was invented by American entrepreneurs Eric Smith, Will West and Mark Morgan. Their mission was to create an automation and networking system for homes and businesses that could offer a customisable and unified smart home system, that can control and automate several devices including audio, video, lighting, climate control, intercom and security.
In Australia, there are several Control4 dealers, like Melbourne Vision and Sound (MVS) that have embraced this technology and collaborate with builders, architects, home designers and homeowners to create the ultimate smart home experience. MVS founder and chief technician Alex Papas says that people don’t yet understand the true capabilities of smart home automation: “It’s only when they step into a smart home that they really get excited about the possibilities and their imagination makes them want more.”
Examples include smart LED lighting that can sense and interact automatically with their environments and with users and can be controlled remotely or through voice commands.
So, you might be thinking about the cost and whether your home can be upgraded to be a smart home. The good news is that economical options already exist with devices you can buy in a conventional hardware or electronics store anywhere in Australia. However, these devices, like a security camera system, can have their limitations.
“They are stand-alone devices and often cannot be easily integrated with other devices or systems within the home,” Alex says.
That’s where Control4 comes in, extending the user experience and offering homeowners almost endless possibilities to upgrade and further integrate their home, even with other devices like blinds, door locks, ovens, your electric vehicle (EV) charger in the garage etc. The other good news is that all homes can also be retrofitted with smart devices by any smart home technician and even an electrician for a standard cost.
Another major key benefit and appeal of a smart home is the increased value of the property. Ham Kerr Real Estate director Michael Katsakis says that automation caters to people who treat security as an utmost priority.
“It also adds value in terms of sustainability, efficiency and saving money in general,” he says.
Michael admits however that automation may still be perceived as a luxury proposition and attracts people with higher disposable incomes and affluent areas. To conclude, Michael says the value and appeal of this technology really boils down to three main factors: liveability, useability and affordability.
According to Statista, the smart home market in Australia “has been experiencing steady growth in recent years, driven by increasing consumer demand for convenience, energy efficiency and home security solutions.
Globally, household penetration with smart home technology will reach 83.0% in 2024 and is expected to hit 95.2% by 2029.
When it comes down to increased demand for homes with smart technology, veteran builder Matt Nesci from Kode Living believes that it fundamentally comes down to cost saving and future-proofing your home to make it as energy-efficient as possible.
“Customers are willing to pay more for a home with smart technology when this technology aligns with their needs and provides tangible benefits,” he says.
As time goes by this technology will only become more sophisticated with AI integration and further developed by tech giants. Tesla has been capitalising on this growing trend for quite some time. Elon Musk has expressed interest in smart home technology for a long time and has been working on the development of the Tesla Smart Home which is a concept comprising of home automation including voice control, WiFi connectivity and a Tesla Smart HVAC system that can communicate with a home owner’s EV.
He continues to be an advocate for sustainable homes that use smart home technologies to optimise energy usage and promotes the use of solar panels, advanced insulation and energy-efficient appliances. Just recently Musk announced the Tesla Tiny House for just $15,000 which incorporates many automation features.
It’s just a matter of time before smart home automation will be present in all our lives.
