Smart Homes trends and implications Dr Tim Thorogood Managing Director E Homes Caribbean Ltd
E Homes Caribbean Provider of smart home technology Started 2012 Based in Barbados: works in Mustique, St Vincent, St Lucia, Jamaica and Trinidad 16 major projects completed e.g. Sandy Lane, Apes Hill, Mustique, Westmoreland Design, supply and install Data and voice networks, wi fi, security, energy control, audio, drapes and home automation
Outline What is a smart home? Where are we now? Trends in the long term Short to medium term trends Practical implications for buildings in Barbados Conclusion Discussion
What is a smart home? Smart homes use advanced control and communications technology to: Automate (programme) Remotely manage Integrate electronic, electrical and mechanical functions in a building
What is a smart home? Typical functions globally have included: Entertainment (audio, video) Lighting control ( scenes ) Security (perimeter alerts, CCTV, access control) Energy (HVAC control) Other devices e.g. shades, pool pumps, irrigation Use of GUI s e.g. touchscreens
What is a smart home? Typical projects in Barbados include: Use of scenes for lighting control; Automation of energy control Linking security/access control to lighting Multi room audio Home theatres Remote control a key selling point
Where are we now? Barbados: Smart home technology quite common in high end homes Seen as preserve of rich, facet of a prestige home Focus on clever convenience Limited consideration of value for money and practical benefits U.S.: Greater penetration in middle class More focus on practical benefits especially energy conservation
Where are we now? But overall smart homes haves been limited to the very rich and enthusiasts by: High costs (at least USD10,000) Limited practical benefits Little (no) financial payback But elements of smart homes are increasingly present in many homes: Internet devices (radio, TV, gaming) Remote CCTV viewing
Where are we now? Barbados: Dichotomy between: Massive provision in high end homes? Little/no provision in middle income homes?
Short to medium term trends General factors: Internet Smartphone devices Energy savings Falling costs of key technologies Inter-operability Increasing manufacturer interest in the mass market Huge industry structural changes: Utilities Broadband providers Mobile providers Security providers
Short to medium term trends Smart Home market to boom in 2020 The smart home concept, while it is still in its infancy, is set to become one of the most significant consumer lifestyle developments of this decade The growth of the market in the coming years is expected to be remarkable, with the revenue growth estimated to reach $51.77 billion by 2020, at an estimated CAGR of 17.74% from 2013 to 2020
Short to medium term trends Greenwich Consulting, Smart Home: hope or hype (January 2013)
Short to medium term trends A greater mass market is developing globally: Costs are falling Access is increasing Practical and economic benefits are increasing The value proposition is improving Global market forecasts are bullish But how fast?
Short to medium term trends Barbados specifically: Increasing use of smartphones to monitor & control security Increasing use of AC controls in homes for vacation rental Continuing growth in smart TV and entertainment using internet
Longer term trends Shorter term trends will continue: Falling costs, increasing access, improved practical/economic benefits As a more mass market develops democratisation will follow suppliers will be driven by the wishes of middle income consumers
Longer term trends Through ambient intelligence..one day almost everything in our homes will be automated and controlled by speech or gesture Some industry analysts are already anticipating the next evolution, the so-called conscious home. In such a house, devices would be able to learn your habits and adjust to them appropriately.
Longer term trends Smart homes will evolve from automation and remote control to intelligence More and more functionality will be incorporated They will be key to quality of life for older people
Practical Implications How can building professionals ensure that in 20 years time buildings will facilitate technology which will surely arrive? Infrastructure conduit is key
Practical implications Consumer Electronics Association in US has published TechHome guidelines agreed across sectors Sets out cabling requirements at Bronze, Gold and Platinum http://www.ce.org/membersh ip/divisions-and- Councils/TechHome- Division.aspx
Practical implications
Practical implications During the planning phase of any cabling installation serious consideration should be given to the installation of ducts to areas that would prove difficult or impossible to install cables once the building is finished. The marginal cost of installing ducts may prove a valuable investment (New Zealand Telecommunications Forum)
Practical Implications In summary, for every home: Don t rely on wi fi? Wi fi speed 802.11ac a practical 1.7gbps over?? range Cat6a speed 10gbps over 330 Do provide generously sized conduit to places where cables may likely be required now or in the future Do provide a central head end where all cables return to (home run not daisy chained) and where incoming telephone/broadband/tv service terminates
E Homes guidelines (general) Cable height level Rooms Cable type Notes Low height cabling All Principal rooms 2 * cat6 (data) 1 * cat6 (voice) 1 * coax Medium height cabling High height cabling WAP s High height cabling security receivers Living Room, Entrance Hall, Master Bed Other main audio zones Depends on building size and lay out e.g. Living Room, Master Bed Depends on building size and lay out e.g. Living Room, Master Bed Ensure conduit can take additional cables (1 conduit takes 9 * cat6 utp??!!) Double for media rooms or Living room 2 * cat6 Enables keypad, touchscreen or audio input/control Ensure conduit can take additional cables 1 * cat6 For wi fi access point (ideally in the ceiling or high up on wall) 1 * 4*22, or cat5 CCTV Depends on camera location 1 * RG6 + 1 * 2*22, or cat5 Audio zones All cables to be home run to the head end 4*16 for each speaker pair Often in ceiling or it not high wall level
Conclusion Smart homes will surely become mass market Focus will become increasingly practical, economic and environmental Home design & construction NOW needs to provide for smart home functionality Adequate provision of conduits are the key
Discussion Tim.Thorogood@e-homescaribbean.com www.e-homescaribbean.com Tel: 1 246 232 4750 Copy of these slides: www.ehomescaribbean.com/news