What is an IoT based smart home system?
An IoT based smart home is where the appliances and devices are connected to each other with the IoT. This concept is known as home automation and aims to bring the control of devices to the tip of your finger. These devices are connected to each other via the internet and cloud based computing so that they can interact among themselves and with the user easily. There are various reasons to enable IoT services in homes like security, comfort, energy saving and assisted living.
Why do you need smart home security?
IoT has made lives easier with its security devices for homes. Gone are the days when you had to constantly worry if you had locked the door before leaving the house because IoT has facilitated us with the means to do it remotely from anywhere in the world.
In case of intrusions, traditional alarms, even if present, can be easily switched off by the intruder, but with an IoT based home security system, the homeowner is alerted on their smartphones for them to take the necessary actions.
Furthermore, your homes can be vulnerable to gas leakages, fire breakouts due to short circuit or even flooding due to pipe leakage. To reduce the amount of damage immediate action can be taken by the owner by alerting the appropriate authorities.
IoT based Home Automation System
To get IoT based Home Automation started, there are three major components-
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Hardware
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Software
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Communication protocols
Each part together works in harmony to give the user a fulfilling experience. Choosing the right hardware is very important as it impacts the cost of the product, user experience and application capabilities. It also enables the ability to develop the IoT prototype iteratively and respond to technology pivots.
IoT software addresses the key areas of networking through platforms.These applications are responsible for data collection from the hardware devices, device integration, real-time data analytics and storage. A user interacts with the Home security hardware and software with the Mobile Application Or a web Panel.
Communication protocol is the link that binds the hardware and the software together. They are responsible for the integrity and ensure the security of the data exchanged between two connected devices.
IoT Home Security
Security of homes is a huge concern today and IoT based home security systems play a major role in helping homeowners secure their houses. In fact majority homeowners say security is one of the top reasons for them to buy smart home systems. Smart devices in these smart homes provide more control over the houses.
Smart Home applications
Smart home applications can help save both energy and money. Like smart lighting allows you to control wall switches, lamps, etc remotely. You can set a specific time to turn on and off lights in a certain room, you can also decide the amount of light emitted. These lights come with sensors that turn themselves off when the room is idle for a long time.
A lush green lawn is fancied by many, but the weather doesn’t always cooperate and provide the necessary elements for its growth. Many may use a sprinkler to water their lawns but during the rainy season a lot of water gets wasted. But, with sprinkler control systems, water regulation is provided with real-time communication with local weather data. This way if there is a possibility of rain, the sprinkler automatically gets disabled.
IoT Safety
Those devices that ensure your physical security shouldn’t fall prey to cyber attacks. Security of these IoT devices is necessary as they exchange your personal data among the devices and this information falling into the wrong hands can prove to be disastrous. You can protect your data by using security protocols, keeping the software up to date, using strong passwords and authentication.
Smart security devices for Home Security
There are multiple devices that are a part of IoT based home security. Listed below are some of the smart devices that are an essential part of home security-
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Smart cameras
Cameras have always played a major role in home security. These can be placed in and around the house and can be accessed from anywhere using a smartphone. With the help of IoT based smart camera video can be live streamed and can be stored on the cloud to view later as well.
Video doorbells are another variation of smart cameras that can show you who is at your door and lets you interact with them.
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Biometric Locks
Biometric locks are getting increasingly popular now. Along with security these locks provide convenience as they eliminate the need for physical keys. Users can enter their houses with a fingerprint or facial scan. Iris based authentication system is the most recent and exciting biometric lock where, as the name suggests, it scans your iris to give you access.
IoT based smart home alert and door access control using smartphones can be used with biometric locks if you want to give access to guests to your house without them having to go through biometric authentication. There are sensors attached that can alert if a break-in attempt is made. Hence, convenient and safe.
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Motion Sensors
These sensors are for ensuring security in and around your house. They act as an extra pair of eyes when you’re away and alert you in case of suspicious activities. Motion sensors have major implementations in door security systems and anti-burglar systems.
There are three major kinds of motion sensors-
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Passive infrared sensor (PIR)
The infrared radiation from human and animal bodies is detected by this sensor. When the temperature in the sensor’s field fluctuates continuously from room temperature to body temperature, the sensor is triggered.
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Microwave Sensor (MW)
Microwave pulses are sent out and they reflect back in the same phase generally, but when there is a disturbance or it is reflected off a moving body, a phase shift occurs, this is how MW sensor detects movement.
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Dual Technology Motion Sensor
The most efficient kind of motion sensor, this sensor uses multiple technologies to detect activity. It helps reduce false alarm as all the sensors in use need to be triggered in order to send alerts of movement.
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Gas Sensor (MQ-2 Gas Sensor)
There have been numerous cases of mishap due to gas leakage at night. To prevent that from happening, these sensors are placed around the house. They can detect gases like Hydrogen, Methane, Carbon monoxide, Propane, alcohol, Smoke and LPG concentrations between the range of 200 ppm and 10,000 ppm.
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Flame Sensor (IR Flame Sensor)
A highly sensitive sensor, this can detect IR light wavelength in the range of 700nm to 1000nm. Once it senses fire, it activates the fire alarm, fire suppression system and deactivates the fuel line along with sending alerts to the user.
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Water Sensor (Moisture Detection Sensor)
Moisture detection sensors are placed in such areas that have a threat of water leakage like sinks, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc. Extreme moisture and temperature in these places have a risk of causing leaks. If any unwanted water is detected, an alert is sent immediately.
A smart home security system with iot is accessible to a wide group of people worldwide.
