An ‘always-on’ electric and connected world is the future, and we need to rapidly accelerate the transformation. The current pandemic is a testimony of the importance of an ecosystem that is agile and resilient, to help us adapt to future challenges and crises.
Having impacted nations, businesses, homes and workspaces — every aspect of human life, the pandemic has necessitated an accelerated adoption of digital technologies and reaffirmed the importance of safe and secure, contactless and automated solutions.
Presently, as a response to the pandemic, offices have switched to a work-from-home mode, with people spending more time at home. Traditionally, home control mechanisms make several functions easy including security, lighting, air-conditioning and climate control, and so on. Technology has indeed changed our lives and has made living more comfortable.
However, for the first time, we are spending more time at home than ever before. Also, health and safety have gained central focus for all innovations, especially those that are meant for our homes.
It is therefore critical to redesign our living spaces, equally prioritising health and safety with comfort and convenience. It is herein that the biggest transitions need to happen by building in health, safety, security, and continuity in the emerging and future technologies, which is a challenge and opportunity to the world.
People and economies will adopt automation solutions rapidly, which is already evident from the accelerated growth of the global home automation market. Smart homes and indoor spaces are the base for smart cities. As per a recent industry report by MarketWatch, the home automation system market which was valued at USD 39.93 billion in 2016 is expected to reach USD 79.57 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 11.3%.
We at Schneider Electric find it imperative to ensure that our indoor environment, specially our homes, are safer. Our Smart Home Automation is a technological solution that offers comfort, energy efficiency, and convenience. The critical roadblock, however, remains the perception around adoption of home automation in existing home infrastructure.
To overcome this challenge of retrofitting, Schneider Electric came up with home automation solution, Wiser, which can convert any home into a Smart Home without rewiring and damage.
Wiser makes every switch and appliance in the home a connected device. It can integrate any existing switch and interlinks, the electrical, multi-media and telecommunications ecosystems through Wi-Fi, providing true and easy integration for devices from different brands and makes.
With time scheduling, scene control and the dimming features, a more stylish and comfortable lifestyle at more energy efficient levels can be achieved. Apart from this, the AvatarOn wiring devices, switches and controls offer great functionality.
Since switches and sockets are the most touched surfaces in a house, they could be a source of bacterial or viral infection. Reaffirming our commitment to healthy and safe homes, Schneider Electric has come up with anti-bacterial and self-disinfecting switches and sockets under its revolutionary Livia product range.
Powered by the Silver Ion technology that can kill over 99.9% bacteria and fungi, these products have been conceptualised and manufactured in India, resonating the ethos of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Meeting international standards of testing, the product range self-disinfects its surface throughout its lifespan, using Silver Ion technology which incorporates anti-bacterial additive compounds, inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth on frequently touched switches and cover frames.
Besides imparting germ-control, the food grade additives are ecologically safe and non-migratory and non-toxic. The effervescent switches add a great design feature to the aesthetics of homes.
Sustainability has emerged as the dominant disruptive forces which is transforming construction, and specifically, housing construction industry. Clean energy transitions will result in green net zero homes, actively reducing carbon footprint.
Homebuyers and ecologically conscious younger generation are willing to pay more for sustainable features like energy-efficient appliances. This is so because sustainable buildings are more economical to operate as they use less resources such as water and energy.
Also, sustainable buildings and smart buildings have a higher asset value, close to 7% to 10% more than traditional buildings. Hence, the market opportunity is already clearly defined.
The future of the real estate segment lies in offering Smart Homes which enhances the quality of life along with giving better appreciation and better resale value of such properties. Going forward, an all-inclusive technological upgradation in homes in the form of automation via Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), etc. will be the new normal.
For more details on the smart home solution, please visit this link.
