Smart Homes: The Role of Robotics in Home Automation Systems

We are currently living in a robotic revolution. Every day it seems that new advanced systems and technologies are popping up, making our lives easier and more convenient. Robotics are completely transforming the way we live. As technology continues to advance, it paves the way for the fusion of robotics and home automation to change our lives in extraordinary ways. 

The Power of Home Automation

There is a slight difference between “automation” and “robotics”, although you often see the two terms used together. Automation refers to a process that allows technology to perform tasks that humans normally would. Robotics refers to the field of robots and automation; specifically using robots to perform automation. 

You’d be hard-pressed to walk into a home today and not find at least one smart device powering the home’s automation, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit. Oftentimes, home automation is done through smart technology, which refers to tech that uses data analysis and machine learning to execute its functions. 

However, robotics has not yet been applied to everyday living at home, in most cases; or at least, not on the level of the Jetsons. One example of robots being used in the home today are robot vacuums. However, as technology improves and robots become more widely available, they are more likely to appear in home settings. 

Modern homes today are transcending traditional living limitations thanks to home automation. Here are some of the key ways these technologies are enhancing our lives:

1. Improved Energy Efficiency

As environmental issues become a growing problem, home robotics are paving the way for us to tackle these issues with greater efficiency. This means not only helping the planet, but it can also help reduce your energy bills, which means saving money. 

Devices such as smart thermostats, energy-efficient appliances, smart lighting systems, smart outlets, and intelligent HVAC systems can all help make your home life more convenient while also saving you money and helping you protect the environment from harmful carbon emissions. 

For example, if you realize you left some lights on when you get to work, many of these systems allow you to control your home from your phone. So instead of leaving the lights on all day, you can simply switch them off using your phone. 

While robots themselves

2. Enhanced Safety and Security

Security is another area where home automation has made our lives significantly better. With things like smart locks, cameras, doorbells, and alarm systems, you can monitor and secure your home 24/7 all from your phone. Instead of handing out keys, for example, you can easily let someone into your home by remotely unlocking the door from your phone. 

Smart technology is also making grids smarter and more resilient, which is great for storm security and safety. Traditional power grids have a passive design, meaning electricity flows in a single direction which provides limited information on power usage. This can increase the likelihood of home power outages during storms. 

With new technologies, however, smart technology is better able to assist in locating and identifying faults and can facilitate remote repairs, meaning power can be restored much quicker and it can prevent further power losses. 

3. Greater Comfort

In addition to home automation systems enabling greater energy efficiency, they can also create a more comforting environment for homeowners, which can improve satisfaction and overall well-being. 

Smart thermostats, for example, can provide personalized temperature controls so your home is always at the ideal temperature setting. Lighting systems can also be customized to suit individual needs, such as brighter light while working from home or more calming and ambient lighting while trying to relax and wind down. 

Robots are slowly advancing into this area as well, specifically by acting as companions to provide greater comfort in the home. ElliQ robots are being used to provide advice and tips for people who suffer from anxiety and depression; this robot is integrated with AI technology that allows it to provide social interactions with others and also includes features like a messaging app and a digital picture frame. 

4. Advanced Cleaning

Robotic vacuums like the Roomba were one of the earlier robotics designs that showed homeowners how their lives could be made more convenient with smart technologies. Today, robotic cleaning devices are even more advanced, navigating every nook and cranny of the home to keep floors clean. They can even empty themselves when full and know when to return to the charging station when their battery is running low. 

5. Personal Assistance

Many devices, like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, are equipped with smart virtual assistants that are designed to make your life easier by helping you complete tasks. Instead of having to stop what you are doing, these devices use voice control so you can simply tell the device what you need.

Need to order more paper towels? Want to turn down the music? See what the weather is going to be like in an hour? Unlock the front door? Add a reminder to your calendar? Check the traffic? These smart robotic assistants can do just about anything you ask them to and they can even do it with personality and humor to make things more fun and engaging. 

While not widely available, the Japanese robot Aeo is being used in long-term care facilities and acts as a janitor, delivery bot, and security option all in one. This could be more commonplace as robots become cheaper and more widely available.   

6. Efficient Home Maintenance

If there is one thing most homeowners tend to deplore, it’s keeping up with home maintenance, Smart automation systems help remind you when certain maintenance tasks need to be done. 

However, there are robots available on the market that can perform a variety of these home maintenance tasks. Most of these devices are highly specific and only able to perform one type of task, such as the Tertil robot, which is made to weed the garden. However, there are also robots designed for pool cleaning, scrubbing grills, and washing outdoor windows. 

While many of these devices handle the smaller maintenance tasks, it can help free up time for you to focus on larger home maintenance projects that don’t yet have a smart device to do the work for you. 

The Future of Smart Home Robotics

Overall, smart home technology and automation gives you a great deal more control over your home life. As these technologies continue to advance, they will bring forth even greater benefits that will enhance our lives in unprecedented ways. While robots are not readily available, they are becoming increasingly prevalent in our home lives. 

Integration will become even more seamless, machine intelligence will advance, enhancing autonomy and adaptability, and the range of available devices will increase, covering a wider range of uses and applications. Our homes will become powerhouses of efficiency, sustainability, productivity, and security.