The Future of Smart Homes

1. Smart Home: A Haven of Convenience and Innovation

A smart home, colloquially known as a "Smart Home", represents a dwelling equipped with cutting-edge automation systems designed to control lighting, temperature, multimedia, security, curtains, doors, and an array of other features. Its primary purpose is to enhance the quality of life by fostering convenience, safety, and the prudent utilization of resources.

The designation of "smart" is conferred upon a home (or apartment) owing to its computer system's ability to meticulously monitor various facets of daily life. An illustrative example involves a lighting control system adept at conserving electricity and tailoring lighting ambiance to specific scenarios, such as setting a subdued glow for intimate dinner gatherings. The system extends its influence to curtain adjustments, temperature regulation, surveillance camera oversight, automatic door locks, and the implementation of anti-burglary measures.

Smart homes boast avant-garde applications, including an innovative home entertainment control system featuring a spectrum of powerful speakers, telephone networks, internal communication platforms, and even automated irrigation systems. These functionalities are seamlessly executed through interconnected devices within the home, empowering the central computer system to vigilantly monitor statuses and execute judicious control decisions.

While the concept of a smart home has been a fixture in science fiction narratives for decades, its materialization emerged in the 20th century, fueled by the widespread proliferation of electricity and the rapid evolution of information technology.

2. Comfortable Living with Smart Home

The advent of Industry 4.0 can be simplified through a myriad of conveniences it brings. Nowadays, the terms "smart home" and "Internet of Things (IoT)" are frequently mentioned as an advanced trend, steering humanity towards a life of convenience and ease facilitated by technology.

Automated doors with facial recognition sensors, coupled with smart outlets, illuminate the house upon entry. Lights operate in different modes to best suit each space, whether it's the living room, dining area, or bedroom. Unless the owner wishes to alter their functionality, there's no need to physically move around. With a simple click on the smart home system or tablet or through voice commands, one can control everything seamlessly. When waking up in the morning, curtains open automatically, the coffee machine starts brewing, and the audio system plays soothing music, creating a delightful ambiance.

However, if simplicity ends at automation, a smart home may not truly be the preferred choice for everyone. Anyone would want their home to safeguard against risks posed by potential intruders. Motion sensors, while not flawless, are intelligent enough to detect unwanted external activities. Immediately, emergency alerts are sent to the homeowner. More importantly, these signals discourage unwelcome guests from scrutinizing the home again. Automated devices within the house are interconnected and managed by a server accessible only to the actual homeowner.

In particular, smart homes ensure health and safety for family members. Smart plugs enable automatic control of lighting systems and cut off power in the event of an electrical malfunction. Traditionally, power interruptions were managed by devices like fuses or circuit breakers. However, smart plugs may prove more effective due to their groundbreaking technological values. They can link with temperature sensors to detect abnormal heat, signaling potential fire hazards and promptly cutting off power to all devices while alerting users about potential risks. Motion sensors on doors, drawers, or cabinets can identify and prevent unwanted interactions from children or pets, ensuring their safety when parents are not around.

Previously, many envisioned smart homes as something extravagant, apprehensive about complex technology, and hesitated to equip their homes. In reality, smart homes are incredibly user-friendly, even for the elderly and children. Nearly all actions are entirely automated, requiring no user intervention. For instance, if there are elderly or young children in the house, they can move around at night because the motion sensor system will automatically turn on the lights. Children can move naturally without the need for parental guidance, and the elderly need not worry about stumbling. Upon returning home at night, the lighting system automatically illuminates, and the door opens, eliminating the need to get out of the car to open the door. The conveniences that a smart home brings to everyday life are truly worth experiencing.

3. No Longer Exclusive to the Elite: Smart Homes

The history of connected and Internet-controlled devices began with researcher John Romkey creating an Internet-controlled toaster for the INTEROP conference in October 1989. By 2000, LG introduced its first internet refrigerator. From sporadic connected devices, smart home solutions have become increasingly superior and widely implemented in nearly every modern building.

According to Zion Market Research, the global smart home market was valued at around $24.10 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach $53.45 billion by 2022, with an average annual growth rate of over 14.5%. While North America and Europe are pioneering markets, the Asia-Pacific region is witnessing significant growth, with a plethora of new smart home projects deploying automation in lighting, security, and entertainment.

Statista's statistics for the smart home market in Vietnam, as of April 2018, showed a revenue of approximately $45 million. Experts predict this figure could reach $319 million by 2022, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 67%. Statista particularly assesses the smart home market in Vietnam as having tremendous potential and a larger scale than Thailand.

The real estate industry is driving the development of the smart home market, with real estate projects incorporating smart homes as a competitive criterion. It's easy to notice large buildings or residential areas featuring advertisements such as "Apartment 4.0" or "Smart Apartment." On the consumer side, an increasing number of families actively seek information about smart homes when building their villas, apartments, or private homes from the initial planning stage.

According to Gartner's assessment, smart home technology could contribute up to $1.9 trillion to the world economy by 2020. In Vietnam, the "2017 Smart Mobile User Behavior" report published by Nielsen Vietnam at the end of last year revealed that the proportion of smartphone users among mobile users was 84% in 2017, a 10% increase from the previous year (78%).

The figures above indicate an undeniable trend: the explosion of smartphones and tablets is gradually changing people's habits, especially in consumer behavior and lifestyle enjoyment. The real estate market is not exempt from this trend, as smarthomes and, more broadly, smart living are becoming the epitome of modern living.

Ms. Liễu Nguyễn, Vietnam's representative of the President of the American Real Estate Association, notes that globally and in Vietnam, we are witnessing the emergence of more and more smart cities, where smarthomes are an essential component. In the late 1990s, smart homes were still considered a luxury for the wealthy. However, with the advent and widespread use of electronic technology and the decreasing costs associated with it, smart electronic devices have become significantly more affordable, enabling widespread adoption of smart control technologies.

With the rapid development of information technology, the Internet, and the decreasing costs of smart home systems, coupled with the growing demands of people, smart homes are now seen as a field with enormous development potential. In the not-so-distant future, it is expected that smart homes will become a new trend in the lives of modern people.

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If you wish to experience the practical solutions of Gamma Tech's smart home, you can visit the Gamma Tech Showroom directly at the following addresses:

• Hanoi Showroom: 2601 Floor, Building N01 -T8 Diplomatic Corps Area, Xuan Tao Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi
• Ho Chi Minh City Showroom: 105-H7 My Phu, Phu My Hung, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City