Computers and Home Automation

Home automation allows remote and automatic control of appliances and electronics and users increasingly rely on computers to handle these tasks. Thanks to technology advances in the last two decades, computers now integrate with a number of home automation aspects.

History

• According to a 2005 article in Popular Mechanics, engineers from the X10 company developed a standard home automation protocol in the mid-1980s. Since then, a number of companies have adopted the protocol for use in wall switches, modules, independent devices and computer software controls.

Features

• Technology editors at CNet note that home automation users can employ computers to control aspects like heating and cooling, security, communications and home theater systems. Computerized home automation can dim and brighten lighting, make outgoing calls in an emergency and record video feeds from security cameras. With network connectivity, home automation users can access computer controls from anywhere with Internet access.

Requirements

• Although users can control home automation locally with hand-held remote controls, the devices must reside on a local area network to support whole-house automation. To effectively integrate computers with these systems, users must have control software and a device that connects the computer to the home automation network.