SMART HOME AUTOMATION

Trevor Crighton explores 2023’s home automation essentials

- Trevor Crighton

Home automation systems continue to evolve – and keeping up with advances will assist in making life easier and safer. Adding app control and smart AI inputs can give home owners complete control over the operations of their homes, even remotely – and will help customise the automated operations of their home according to their needs.

LEADING THE HOME AUTOMATION CHARGE

Mauricio Tavares, marketing director at Cinema Architects, says that the biggest trend in home automation systems in South Africa at the moment isn’t driven by the tech, but rather by ways to keep it running.

“The integration of backup power systems into home automation systems is taking centre stage right now. The system can be programmed to shut off certain areas of the home or even appliances, and leave on other areas,” he says.

“The other trend is the use of sensors, which can detect if someone is in a room, changes in temperature and much more. The use of sensors creates a more AI-driven home that makes better decisions.”

Planetworld SA automation manager, Kevin Engelbrecht, says that the evolution of home automation systems has shown that convenience is no longer the driving factor.

“Modern connected homes have a multitude of attached services and home owners want to access these services from a single app. Savant continues to innovate in this space and we are seeing beta testing now of artificial intelligence in Savant systems,” he says.