A smarter home, the smarter choice?

Abstract

In a world of expanding connected products, home automation has shown itself as one of the biggest trends to follow. Home automation is the automation of the home via highly advanced systems that control multiple functions of the home - more often called smart homes. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the developments of smart homes and how it affects us as consumers. We also try to identify users, benefits and issues of smart homes.

The research is done with a theoretical approach, via literature reviews and indirect observations.

The findings showed multiple areas of development. The smart home industry is growing and taking its share of the smart market. Multiple companies have entered the market, delivering complete smart homes or devices to make your home smarter. Companies are contributing to an easier tomorrow. Smart homes are for everyone, but we see it as highly beneficial for health purposes in a world where the elderly population is growing rapidly. This is an area of focus for the future.

Three main issues were identified; privacy, security and standards. These areas has to be addressed in near future for the smart home to be fully adopted. The privacy and security of data has to be secured in the best ways possible. The more our technological world grows, the more private data is collected and needed to control. Standards are greatly lacking within smart homes and the technology behind, and has to be in place to ensure proper protocols, methods and interoperability.