ᐅ Thriller on ARD on December 15: "The House"

Mycraft schrieb:

@Stefan001
This is because a smart home is truly a tailored solution, like a custom suit [...]
It always depends on the situation, and the house should be aware of that and respond accordingly. Nowadays, this scenario works quite well if you have the right technology.

Since I am really struggling with this right now, is there any good guide on what can be automated well and how?

Custom suits mostly rely on tailoring patterns.
I would like to make my house genuinely smart, but I am really lacking the understanding in many areas about how to make the system smart without it bothering me every other day when something out of the ordinary happens. Which sensors can work together for that and so on.

We visited a smart home about 15 years old over the weekend, and everything works great. The owner’s main problem is keeping a Windows 95 computer running for the control and programming. So make sure you have up-to-date smartphones and apps, because the next generation won’t be able to do that anymore 😉

Nida35a schrieb:

We visited a roughly 15-year-old smart home over the weekend—everything works great.
The owner’s main issue is keeping a Windows 95 computer running for control and programming.
So, make sure to have up-to-date smartphones and apps,
because the generation after next won’t be able to use it anymore 😉

That was already pretty outdated at the time of commissioning. Windows 95 in 2005. 😀

Stefan001 schrieb:

Is there any good guideline on what can be automated well and how?

No, as mentioned, it really depends on the individual situation.

You go through the existing or desired systems and think it through. Many things come up later when you realize that certain functions could be automated. A house is always evolving, growing, and changing with its occupants. Why accept that you can replace furniture anytime but not the functionality or extent of the home’s electrical system?

Simply go through the usual suspects and consider how the processes work, then automate accordingly. For example, HVAC, shading, lighting, presence/absence detection, alarm systems, cameras, audio/video equipment, appliances, door communication, access control, scenarios, time schedules, etc.

Stefan001 schrieb:

One exception bothers me

Just don’t try to do too much at once. People adapt only slowly because since childhood we are basically conditioned to always press buttons.

Nida35a schrieb:

The main problem for the owner is keeping a Windows 95 computer running for control and programming.

Hmm, well, something clearly went wrong there. Or maybe it’s a DIY project? Since it was hopelessly outdated right from the initial setup.

Hangman schrieb:

Well, after 35 years in IT, I’ve heard enough promises of salvation to appreciate the benefits of a horse-drawn carriage.

Yes, the IT industry is a prime example of how not to do it. It’s always interesting to see IT specialists trying to sell the next best smart home, for example via telecom companies. The same ideas are reinvented and presented repeatedly with the aim of attracting customers.

Hangman schrieb:

I honestly lack the imagination to see what “smart” needs exist in an average house:

Because the term has become an empty buzzword through the media. What you describe *is* a smart home: where HVAC is adjusted and works automatically without intervention by the occupants.

Smart doesn’t just mean Alexa and similar devices. And smart isn’t just Ikea Tradfri or Hue. That’s all just toys.

Smart means home technology working efficiently, possibly saving energy, and providing maximum comfort to the residents.

In my case, this also includes, among other things, almost switchless lighting setups, appliances that always notify when something happens or when they need attention, and so on.

I simply believe (and I’m not alone) that you need very few light switches. Let the light follow me and turn on when I need it and off when I leave, without me having to press anything.

And for shading, the same applies. I don’t want to run around the house when it’s scorching outside just to manually lower blinds. At the same time, I want as much sunlight as possible inside. The house should manage that on its own, and even during my absence it should prevent overheating and save energy. In winter, it should operate the other way around, maximizing solar gains automatically.

Hangman schrieb:

And you don’t need a higher-level layer called smart home for that.

Yes, you don’t need that – that’s just a seller’s fantasy. But still, a certain level of integration between devices and home systems is beneficial to avoid ending up with what’s commonly called an iron in the fridge.

For example, window contacts can be used not only for the alarm system but also for HVAC, presence detection/confirmation, shading, lighting control, etc.

In a dumb home, you might need multiple versions of these sensors. In a smart home, one set suffices, and you simply define the logical links yourself.

For those who forgot, the movie is currently airing on TV.

I'll take the location and the terrace