To get a job in home automation, you don’t need a degree in audio engineering, mathematics, or communication studies. However, having such experience is beneficial. In addition, the development of smartphones has enhanced the industry considerably in recent years, necessitating an understanding of related disciplines.
Let’s go back a few years to briefly discuss the history of home automation and how this all got started.
What was the first smart home device?
In 1966, Westinghouse engineer Jim Sutherland created the ECHO IV, the first actual home automation device, controlling temperature and appliances, and allowing for inputting and later retrieval of shopping lists, recipes, and other family memos.
Sutherland’s “brain” of his home automation system was the IBM 1401 (a computer as it is commonly known today – as well as arguably one of the most influential pieces of technology ever created).
In 1967, Modicon began selling an automated controller aimed at industrial applications. Hand-held remote controls could be used to tell the system what to do from a distance.
The first remote control in the business was developed with this controller in 1969. Modicon continued to create and sell more sophisticated controllers, but it wasn’t until the early 1970s that technological innovations took off with commercial goods like time-of-day clocks.
Smart home automation
The home automation industry was in its early stages in the 1990s, and early adopters of this new technology were met with a steep price tag. But we’ve come a long way since then, and costs have dropped considerably. However, we are unaware of any changes: we expect our gadgets to be “intelligent.”
By 2000, home automation was still primarily for show or the extremely wealthy who could afford it. After that, the prices were too high, and the technology wasn’t sophisticated enough (or little enough).
We began seeing a larger market for this technology in 2010 when it became more widely utilized owing to the rise of personal computers, smartphones, and tablets. Apple’s iCloud, for example, has allowed you to keep critical information such as photos or contact lists accessible from all of your devices.
Smartphones were the tipping point because they could do things that previously required a bulky computer system but were now available to all.
When did smart homes become popular?
- 1998 – The early 2000s: Smart Houses – As smart homes, or home automation, became more popular in the early 2000s, various technologies developed. Smart homes suddenly became a more affordable alternative, which led to their widespread adoption by customers.
- 2010 – 2015: The Golden Age of Home Automation – In 2010, home automation was thrust into the mainstream with Apple’s release of the iPhone 4 and iOS 4, allowing various apps to be created that could be used to control different aspects of the home.
- 2015 – Present: Connected Homes – In 2015, we shifted from home automation to the connected home. This term encompasses all devices connected to the internet in and around the house, allowing for remote control and monitoring, including anything from your lights to your locks and even your coffee pot.
The home automation industry is still in its early stages, but it has come a long way since its inception in the 1960s. With the rise of personal computers, smartphones, and tablets, home automation has become more widely utilized and affordable, and it is only getting better with time.
What is a degree in automation?
What is the definition of a Bachelor’s in Automation? Robotics, electro-optics, cyber security, communication, sensors, and other scientific technologies are all possible topics of study for a bachelor’s degree in automation. This sort of education is commonly designed to give students experience with robotics. However, each university may have its own approach to this degree.
A degree in automation can prepare you for a career in many different industries. For example, you may be interested in becoming a system administrator, integrator, or technician. With this type of degree, you would have the knowledge and skills necessary to work with automated systems and robotics.
You may also be interested in pursuing a career in engineering or management. With a degree in automation, you would have the skills necessary to develop and oversee the implementation of automated systems as well.
Is automation a good career?
Automation engineering might be a fantastic occupation for someone with the technical abilities and interest to work in a technological field.
This career offers a competitive salary, good working conditions, and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology. It is also a field expected to grow in the coming years. So if you’re looking for a career in a stable and growing industry, automation engineering might be the right choice for you.
How many types of home automation are there?
Three main types of home automation systems:
- Power line-based home automation (X10, which uses the electrical/power line cables already fitted)
- Wired or BUS cable home automation (wired ‘BUS’ systems which utilize data cables with programmed control via a central computer)
- Wireless home automation (RF ‘radio frequency’ which uses wireless technology)
It’s not easy for a homeowner to learn how to automate the home themselves. It takes time and patience to search for what is available in automation, what can be done with it, and the most cost-effective way of going about doing it.
Hiring an experienced company brings home automation to the forefront of technology. They will have their own technical staff to help you figure out what is possible with your home’s layout, electrical systems, and remote-control options.
History of home automation
As a recap, home automation began to increase in popularity in the late 1990s, and early 2000s as internet technology developed fast and smart homes suddenly became a more affordable option.
The history of home automation is still unfolding, and the future is looking bright. With so many new devices and applications being developed, there is no telling what unique innovations will come next.
Whatever your interests may be, there is a good chance that home automation has something to offer you.
