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The modern definition of a smart device suggests something that can be connected to the internet, controlled remotely, and programmed to function in certain ways. Some smart devices are even capable of artificially learning and adjusting its functions. The thing that interests me most right now is programming.
Programming is essentially taking advantage of built-in automation capabilities. Automations, typically implemented by scripts or helper apps, open the door to programming our smart devices to work without direct, manual control. If I automate lights in my home for example, they turn on and off by themselves. I don’t have to flip switches.
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Remote Access Is Great
A smart device offering remote access is a great device to have in your home. I have transformed a selection of lights in my home to smart lights with the use of wall plugs and switches. I can now control them from anywhere. When I am on vacation, I can turn lights on and off at various times of the day to make it look like someone is home.
Remote access is great. It is also one of the things that make home automation so attractive. But programming automations is a step beyond remote access. Once I began using automations, my whole impression of the smart home concept changed.
Automation for Different Devices
Logic dictates that automation capabilities differ from one device to the next. In other words, automations are tied directly to what each device is capable of. I may have lights that do nothing but turn on and off. But maybe some of my lights can be adjusted for intensity. Others might offer different colors. My automations for each light would be based on what it can do.
A smart thermostat can be turned on or off just like a standard thermostat. But it can also be programmed. A top-of-the-line smart thermostat can also be automated to the point of artificially learning and adjusting its own programming.
Reasons for Programming Automations
I could continue talking about other types of devices and their capabilities, but I am assuming we all get the point. So let’s move on to reasons for actually taking advantage of automation capabilities. Why program automations at all?
Programming automations is fairly simple in some ecosystems. In others, it is quite complicated. In either case, there are different advantages to learning how to do it. Programming automations can and should:
- Improve Efficiency – Automations make both lighting and heating/cooling more efficient. With the right programming, money isn’t being wasted on either one when no one is home.
- Improve Convenience – Automations make a home more convenient by reducing the number of manual tasks homeowners need to perform. An automation that turns all the lights out as you leave home eliminates the need to walk around and turn them all off manually.
- Increase Security – Automations should make a home more secure. For example, programming makes it possible to always return to a well-lit house.
Customization is the key to programming automations. With a bit of knowledge and practice, any smart homeowner can set up his devices with custom automations designed to meet his unique needs. That is what makes automation a step beyond remote access. Remote access is great, but being able to automate smart devices opens the door to making the most of a smart home.
