How Automation was introduced

Early home automation began with labor-saving machines. Gas-powered or electric home appliances which were self-contained became viable in the 1900s with the introduction of electric power distribution and the introduction of water heaters (1889), washing machines (1904), refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes dryers, and sewing machines.

The First generation was wireless technology with a proxy server. The second generation was artificial intelligence-controlled electrical devices. The third generation was a robot assistant who interacts with humans. 

Home Automation is a very vast topic itself. There are various kinds of systems that can be designed and also exist. They are: – 

• Bluetooth based home automation system using mobile phones: 

In this home automation system, the appliances are connected to the Arduino Bluetooth board at input-output ports using a relay. The program in Arduino Bluetooth board is based on high-level interactive C language of microcontrollers. The password protection is provided so only authorized users can access the appliances. The Bluetooth connection is established between the Arduino BT board and the phone for wireless communication. In this system, the python/C script is used, and it can install on any of the Symbian OS environments, it is portable. One circuit is designed and implemented for receiving feedback from the phone, which indicates the status of the device. 

• GSM based home automation system using mobile phones: 

GSM-based home automation is a lure to research. The DTMF (dual-tone multi-frequency) based automation, GPRS-based automation, and SMS-based automation options are considered mainly for communication in GSM-based home automation. The sensors and devices interact with the network and communicate through SIM & GSM. The system use transducer which converts machine function into electrical signals which go into the microcontroller. The sensors of the system convert the physical qualities like sound, temperature, and humidity into some other quantity like voltage. The microcontroller investigates all signals and converts them into a command to understand by the GSM module.

• Wi-Fi-based home automation system using cell phones: 

Wi-Fi-based home automation system mainly consists of three modules, the server, the hardware interface module, and the software package. Wi-Fi technology is used by servers and hardware. Interface module to communicate with each other. Similar technology is used to login to the server web-based application. The server is connected to the internet, so remote users can access the server’s web-based application through the internet using a compatible web browser. Software of the latest home automation system is split into server application software and Microcontroller (Arduino) firmware. Arduino software is responsible for gathering events from connected sensors, then applies an action to actuators and pre-programmed in the server. Another job is to report and record the history in the server DB. The server software package proposed for the home automation system is a web-based application built using asp.net. The server application software can be accessed from an internal network or internet if the server has real IP on the internet using any internet navigator that supports asp.net technology. The server has a database to keep a log of home automation system components.

Other kinds of Automation:

• ZigBee based home automation system using mobile phones. 

• Home automation using RF module. 

• Home automation using Android ADK. 

• Cloud-Based home automation system. 

• Raspberry pie home automation with wireless sensors using a smartphone. 

• Wireless Home Automation system using IoT.