Once upon a time, when Saturday night television involved
watching family members count potential prizes on a conveyor belt, and Ant
and Dec had bit parts in Byker Grove, the BBC ran a programme that looked into
our future. Tomorrow’s World ran for 38 years featuring developments
in science and technology, and in some instances, showing us how we might live
our lives. They forecast that our homes in the future would be a marvel of
technology. We would have large flat TV screens that we could ‘hang on
our walls’ (impossible surely!). We would have ‘wireless phones’ that
we could carry around with us in our pockets (absurd!). We would even have
a snooker-playing robot to challenge and provide friendship to us in our snooker
rooms!
Well, they didn’t do too badly on their predictions. Home automation
is most definitely here and for most of us, it’s within reach of reality.
For gadget geeks, it's the stuff of dreams. The real beauty is that each project
can be as small or as grand as you like. Your house can be transformed into
an audiovisual feast; security systems integrated with your ‘wireless’ phone;
whole house lighting moods transformed at the touch of a very shiny button.
Of course, not everyone is going to be able to splash out wads of cash on an
all-singing, all-dancing audiovisual works. The word bespoke is often used
in sales but with home automation, it really needs to be. Everything is personalised
to your needs or pocket. Got £300 floating round? You can get yourself
equipped with an entry-level audiovisual package linking up several rooms of
your house. You’ll be able to share video, music and even digital photos
around your home - which could make for an interesting alternative to hanging
pictures. With the need for just one hub, you can minimise the need for anything
bar a screen and remote control in all your other rooms. The latest Hollywood
action blockbuster in HD with surround sound in the front room? No problem.
Your good lady can watch Corrie in another at the same time. Yes, home automation
can even link up your Sky offering opportunities when it comes to Saturday
afternoon sports fests. The local derby can be screened in one room, while
the big Premiership clash is on in another. Meanwhile, those who fancy a flutter
on the gee-gees can watch the 3.10 from Haydock with canapés and champers
in the kitchen. You'll certainly be able to get yourself a central console
and a few flat screens to make all this possible for just a grand. Beers are
an optional extra…
Home automaton isn’t just consigned to audiovisual offerings though.
Everything can be programmed from one central point. You come in from work,
and with one flick, lighting, heating, and other home comforts all spring into
life. Feeling a touch amorous? Select your ‘romantic’ setting… and
low lighting fades gently into life, the heating steps up a few notches and
Barry White starts to croon on the sound system. You can even set the jacuzzi
to start bubbling in slow massage mode. Turning on - without having to press
all the right buttons - has just become a whole lot easier.
The kitchen is also another room that can benefit from home automation. Getting
home late tonight? You could have popped your meal-for-one in the microwave
before you left for work this morning. Turn it on when you're five minutes
from home - remotely from you mobile, and piping hot dinner is ready and waiting
as you walk through the door. Who needs the missus?
The real genius behind home automation is that you can more or less automate
anything you want. In many ways, you’re constrained solely by your wallet
and imagination.
For the more security conscious, home automaton can also help keep track of
your safekeeping. What’s more, it can all be done remotely, from your
phone too. Gates, garage doors and even CCTV and alarms can be activated and
monitored at a distance giving you total control. You can be king of your castle
even when you're away jousting with your mates.
There are several specialists in Wales catering for every conceivable home
automation need. All projects include a personalised consultation to consider
your budget, needs and logistics. The market for home automation is currently
being led by developers looking to attract discerning clients with plenty to
spend. But home automation is also there for the taking for mere mortals too,
who just want to plug in and go.
Snooker-playing robot? It’s probably just a matter of time…
S3 Systems
58 Walter Road
Swansea
SA1 5PZ
01792 851 744
SMARTA Home Automation
90 Colchester Avenue
Cardiff
CF23 9AZ
0845 643 0762
Media Receive
42 Heol Cliffyrdd
Barry Waterfront
CF63 4QR
0845 2020118
Patric Morgan is too damn lazy to turn off
all the lights himself…
Switch to Automatic