Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Gadgets making your home more intelligent


Homes are becoming more intelligent and connected. Builders are automating lights, blinds and doors, ensuring security and energy efficiency in many of their premium offerings. Though many new homes are so designed, some companies retrofit old homes to make them intelligent. 

Philips is one such, with their Dynalite systems. "To retrofit an old house, some wiring and work is required. But it can be done," says Nataraj Kumar, director and head of Philips lighting. 

iMonitor Solutions in Bangalore too has customized solutions. They have modular devices interconnected via Wi-Fi networks. "You don't need to break walls or rewire. You can attach our devices into wall sockets to control lights, fans and appliances. The West is big on 'do-it-yourself ', but in India people are reluctant, so you need an electrician," says Girish Gaur, CEO of iMonitor Solutions. 

They also offer security devices like sensors for monitoring intruders, cameras and smoke alarms. The devices are connected to a master controller unit that allows the user control over the web and mobile devices. 

The devices can be customized. For example, a user can set the security camera to take a picture when someone enters a particular room of a house or office and send an email to the owners. 

The parameters of the home can be controlled through the web, remote or through an app that can be accessed through an iOS or Android device. You can control the settings of the ACs, lights and appliances and even set up different scenarios, for partying, reading or relaxing. 

"The system is brand agnostic , therefore no appliances need to be changed," says Gaur. The technology's biggest selling point is that it is wireless, enhancements can be made without any visible changes or damage to the decor of the premises. 

"I've used iMonitor's Solution for my house which is rented and it's quite a novelty the way they've designed the UI (user interface) for the app," says Jawahar Armugam , program director for Sharp. 

Gaur, a graduate from IIT Kanpur and IIM Ahmedabad, has had extensive working experience in GE and Wipro. He also headed a startup, Led Telecom Software, as president based in Chicago. 

"We used to work in telecom and many of these companies were looking for value-added services. Home security solutions we found was a place we could offer more and that's how we started iMonitor," says Gaur.

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