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Home Automation and IoT Devices

Table of Contents
Abstract..........................................................................................................................................3
Home Automation..........................................................................................................................4
What is Home Automation?.........................................................................................................4
How Does Home Automation Work?..........................................................................................4
Monitoring:....................................................................................................................................5
Control:...........................................................................................................................................5
Automation:....................................................................................................................................6
Home Automation System Components......................................................................................6
Remote Control:.............................................................................................................................6
Mobile Application:.......................................................................................................................6
Voice-Assistants:............................................................................................................................6
Alexa:..............................................................................................................................................7
Google-Assistant:...........................................................................................................................7
Siri:..................................................................................................................................................8
Cloud Computing with Home Automation.................................................................................8
Control Protocols...............................................................................................................................8
Internet of Things (IoT)................................................................................................................9
Introduction....................................................................................................................................9
IoT Features.................................................................................................................................11
Setup Home Automation Devices...............................................................................................13
Securing Home Automation and IoT Devices...........................................................................15
Home Automation and IoT Devices in Pakistan.......................................................................17
Okasaha smart switches and appliances....................................................................................19
Conclusion........................................................................................................................................22
 3

Abstract
While the cost of living is going up, there is a growing focus to involve technology to lower
those prices. With this in mind, the Smart Home project allows the user to build and maintain a
house that is smart enough to keep energy levels down while providing more automated
applications. A smart home will take advantage of its environment and allow seamless control
whether the user is present or away. With a home that has this advantage, you can know that
your home is performing at its best in energy performance. By implementing this system, it is
possible to explore a variety of different engineering challenges, including software
programming, PCB design, Wi-Fi, TCP/IP protocols, Web Server logic design, and other
aspects. This automation system provides great insights into the challenges of software and
hardware design.
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Chapter 1
Home Automation
Introduction:
We don’t know about your home, but in our home, most things are automated; our lights turn on
whenever we’re nearby, our coffee starts making itself in the morning, and our security
system disarms itself whenever we’re almost home. Not only are these features convenient, but
they also save us energy and thus, money on utility bills. But since home automation is a
relatively new technology, some people may find it overwhelming. Here, we’re breaking down
exactly what home automation is and how you can add some to your life.

What is Home Automation?

Home automation is the automatic control of electronic devices in your home. These devices are
connected to the Internet, which allows them to be controlled remotely. With home automation,
devices can trigger one another so you don’t have to control them manually via an app or voice
assistant. For example, you can put your lights on schedules so that they turn off when you
normally go to sleep, or you can have your thermostat turn the A/C up about an hour before you
return to work so you don’t have to return to a stuffy house. Home automation makes life more
convenient and can even save you money on heating, cooling, and electricity bills. Home
automation can also lead to greater safety with the Internet of Things devices like security
cameras and systems. But hold up; what’s the Internet of Things?

How Does Home Automation Work?

Home automation works via a network of devices that are connected to the Internet through
different communication protocols, i.e Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and others. Through electronic
interfaces, the devices can be managed remotely through controllers, either a voice assistant like
Alexa or Google Assistant or an app. Many of these IoT devices have sensors that monitor
changes in motion, temperature, and light so the user can gain information about the device’s
surroundings. To make physical changes to the device, the user triggers actuators, physical
mechanisms like smart light switches, motorized valves, or motors that allow devices to be
controlled remotely.

Home automation works on three levels:

 Monitoring
 Control
 Automation
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Monitoring:
Monitoring means that users can check in on their devices remotely through an app. For
example, someone could view their live feed from a smart security camera.

Fig #1: Nest Hello and Google Home Hub smart security camera

Control:
Control means that the user can control these devices remotely, like panning a security camera to
see more of the living space.

Fig # 2: Amazon Echo Tablet for monitoring and control

Automation:
Finally, automation means setting up devices to trigger one another, like having a smart siren go
off whenever an armed security camera detects motion.
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Fig # 3: Amazon Alexa and Amazon Cloud Cam for monitoring and control

Home Automation System Components

While some home automation systems require hubs, some mobile applications connect directly
to a router, which connects directly to an IoT device. Of course, it’s preferable when there’s no
hub, as that’s just an added cost on top of the cost of the IoT device itself.

Remote Control:
The hallmark of home automation is the remote control, which is done through either a mobile
application or a voice assistant.

Mobile Application:
The mobile application allows users to control their devices in real-time, whether it’s shutting off
the outdoor lights or opening the smart garage door for a neighbor. The app is also where users
set schedules, create scenes, and groups of IoT devices, and customize device settings, like
having your living room lights set to the perfect shade of blue. Most of the IoT devices we’ve
reviewed have apps for Android and iOS devices, making them compatible with the majority of
mobile devices and tablets.

Voice-Assistants:
If home automation is the sundae, think of voice assistants as the cherry on top. With voice
assistants, you can use your voice to control devices, whether that’s disarming a security system
as you walk in the front door, showing your video doorbell’s footage on your Echo Show device,
or setting a timer on a smart speaker while your hands are full of cooking utensils. Most IoT
devices work with one of three voice assistants: Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.
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Alexa:
Alexa is Amazon’s voice assistant that’s built into Echo Show and Echo Dot devices. Alexa is
the voice assistant we see integrated into the highest number of smart home devices from
companies like SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm, and Cove.

Fig # 4: Amazon Alexa

Google-Assistant:
Google Assistant, is, as you can imagine, Google’s voice assistant. Although Google Assistant
has fewer “skills” or “actions” than Alexa, it has been proven to be the most accurate voice
assistant in terms of understanding and answering queries correctly. To get Google Assistant,
you’ll need a smart speaker or a smart display; read our Nest Mini review or Nest Hub review to
get started.

Fig # 5: Google Nest Mini

Siri:
Siri is Apple’s voice assistant that’s integrated into the iPhone. While Siri holds 35 percent of the
global market share for voice assistants, compared to nine percent and four percent with Google
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Assistant and Alexa,3 respectively, there aren’t too many IoT devices that work with Siri. Rather,
the voice assistant is used mainly on iPhones and iPads in contrast to home automation devices,
where Alexa and Google Assistant reign supreme.

Cloud Computing with Home Automation

Rather than basing home automation systems on a dedicated IP address or high-end computer,
many systems are based on a cloud, which is both more affordable and easier to use. For
example, the Nest cameras don’t have slots for micro-SD cards, which would have allowed
footage to be stored locally. Rather, all recorded footage is automatically uploaded to a cloud
server, only accessible through a Nest Aware subscription. In general, cloud computing is
incredibly popular on the Internet, so IoT devices are no exception.

Control Protocols

The way that IoT devices connect to the Internet and each other is their control protocol;
if IoT devices are people, think of the protocol as their common language. Like on Earth,
there are a few different languages, or protocols, that devices can speak, including:

 WiFi:
WiFi is by far the most common control protocol; it means that your IoT device will use
the regular Internet provided by your Internet Service Provider. While this doesn’t
require an additional hub, note that it can slow your web surfing speeds down, especially
if you have a ton of different IoT devices set up at once.
 Z-Wave:
Don’t want to mess with your home’s WiFi? Z-Wave is a wireless technology that won’t
interfere with your WiFi; rather, it operates on low power at 908.42 Mhz in the U.S
and Canada.
 ZigBee:
Similar to Z-Wave, ZigBee is a mesh network and universal language that lets IoT
devices communicate.

Thread is another low-power, wireless mesh networking protocol based on an IP address

open standard; it lets IoT devices connect with the cloud.
 Bluetooth:
Finally, Bluetooth is another mesh technology that lets people control and monitor
IoT devices and automate systems.

For most people, WiFi-connected devices will be sufficient, but for more advanced smart homes,
you might want to switch to a mesh network like Z-Wave or ZigBee.
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Chapter 2
Internet of Things (IoT)

Introduction

The Internet of things describes physical objects with sensors, processing ability, software, and
other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the
Internet or other communications networks.
 Lights:
Smart lights are one of the more affordable IoT devices out there, and they make
adjusting your lighting more convenient and customizable than ever before. With most
smart bulbs, we could change their color, dim them, set them onto schedules, or even
have them blink to the beat of our music. That beats a $3 bulb from the hardware store!
 Thermostats:
Smart thermostats let us adjust our home’s temperature remotely as well as set it
onto schedules, saving us money on heating and cooling.
 Locks:
Smart locks upped our home’s security. They locked automatically as soon as we exited
the home, but if we needed to let someone in when we weren’t home, we could either
unlock them through the app or give our guests a temporary passcode, certainly safer than
leaving a key under the welcome mat. Explore your options in our picks for the best
smart locks.
 Video-doorbells: 
Video doorbells are essentially outdoor cameras that may or may not be hardwired into
your existing doorbell setup if you have one. We got notified whenever the doorbell was
pressed or the camera detected motion or a person, depending on its artificial intelligence
capabilities.
 Security-cameras:
Security cameras let you see what’s going on at home from a mobile application; you’ll
also be notified of motion or people, again, depending on the camera’s AI.
 Securit y systems:
Smart security systems typically include motion, entry, and glass break sensors, alerting
you of motion, doors and windows opening and closing, and, you guessed it, glass
breaking. For more information, check out our take on 2022’s best home security
systems.
TVs and remotes: Google, turn the volume up 10 percent! In our home, we use smart TVs
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like Apple TV, Fire TV and Chromecast, which is either built into smart TVs or plugs
into a TV’s USB port.
 Speakers:
Smart speakers are often the basis for a smart home ecosystem, allowing for voice
commands through the voice assistants. For example, when we tell our Chromecast to
pause, we’re not speaking directly to the Chromecast device plugged into our TV, but
instead our Nest Mini, which has the speaker and microphone necessary for us to
communicate with Google Assistant.
 Displays:
Smart displays work the exact same way as smart speakers, with voice assistants built-in;
the major difference is that they have screens and often cameras, allowing for more
entertainment and video chatting options. Smart displays tend to cost a lot more than
smart speakers, so if you’re on a budget, we’d recommend going with a smart speaker
over a smart display.
 Medical care:
If you have a senior in your life you’d like to care for and monitor remotely, there are a
number of WiFi-connected medical alert systems available, many of which include
detection for falls.
 Other IoT products:
We’ve seen everything from Alexa-enabled microwaves to smart plugs, scales, smoke
detectors, and CO detectors. While our site focuses on smart home security like cameras
and systems, home automation goes much further, with IoT devices in a number of
different categories. Plus, you can turn off your smoke alarm from your phone, which is
incredibly convenient.

IoT Features

Once your IoT devices are bought and set up, it’s time to create the home automation
functionalities that sold you on the devices in the first place.

 Remote control:
First and foremost, all home automation devices can be controlled remotely through a
mobile application, whether that means disarming a security system for a neighbor,
saying hi to a visitor through a video doorbell, or shining a light on an overnight guest
who can’t find the switch themselves.
 Voice assistants:
Most IoT devices can also be controlled by voice commands via voice assistants, most
commonly Alexa and Google Assistant.
Schedules: Many IoT devices can also be put onto schedules so that they turn off and on
automatically throughout the day. This is particularly useful for smart lights and
thermostats, things that you may forget to adjust as you enter and exit your home each
day.
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 Geofencing:
To make things even easier, you can connect the GPS onto your phone to certain IoT
devices to make them turn off and on based on your location. An example? We had our
doors unlock whenever we were nearby, which saved us the trouble of searching in our
bag for our keys.
 Home and away modes:

This doesn’t apply to all IoT devices, but some smart home products like bulbs can be set
to what’s called home and away modes. Consider this: many people keep their lights on
all day to make it seem like they’re home, supposedly preventing burglaries. However,
this is pretty unrealistic, as even when you’re home, you probably don’t leave all the
lights on all the time. With away mode, the lights will turn off and on at random, which
more closely mimics real life. Home mode, on the other hand, may have some devices off
and some devices on, customized to your liking so you can access it easily whenever
you’re home.
 Scenes:
Scenes are groups of IoT devices that you can control at once rather than having to
control each one individually. For example, we have all of the smart bulbs in our living
room grouped together into a scene so we can dim them all at once.
 Energy monitoring:
Want to see exactly how much energy your IoT device is using? Some bulbs and
thermostats have energy monitoring so you can see how much you’re saving.
 Sunrise and sunset mode:
Normally a feature on smart light bulbs, you can have your bulbs synced with the
beginning and end of the day, ideal for maintaining your Circadian rhythm.
 Shared access:
Typically, IoT devices can be controlled by multiple people; either they all sign in to the
same app with the same username and password, or the user can add guests so friends
and family can make their own accounts. If you live with roommates or other family
members, make sure your IoT device can be controlled by multiple people (unless you’re
a control freak like us!).
 Triggers:
Devices of the same brand, or of different brands, can trigger one another, depending on
their compatibility. For example, Ring devices can obviously work with each other, like
having a security system trigger an outdoor light to go on. However, Ring products also
work with third-party IoT devices from companies like Dome, First Alert, EcoLink and
GE, allowing for more home automation opportunities. Learn more about Ring’s smart
home compatibility on our Ring costs page.
 IFTTT:
Got two devices that can’t connect directly on the app? Some devices work with IFTTT,
which stands for If This Then That. IFTTT lets devices of different brands trigger one
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another; for example, Wyze cameras work with IFTTT, so they can work with Arlo
cameras even though the companies don’t have a direct partnership.
 App:
Finally, each IoT device has a corresponding app that allows for all of the above features,
so it’s important that it’s user-friendly. As software updates can make improvements, be
sure to check the app’s current ratings from wherever you downloaded it.
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Chapter 3
Setup Home Automation Devices

Setting up your home automation system is actually a lot less complicated than it may
seem. You can either wing it and buy a smart home product that sounds like it’s up your
alley, or set up your smart home more strategically by following these easy steps:

 Smart home ecosystem: First, choose which “smart home ecosystem” you want to
be a part of, and by that we mean Amazon or Google, most likely. This will determine
which voice assistant you use, which will then determine which IoT devices will work
with your system. Of course, you can use products that work with both Alexa and Google
Assistant, but it might be a little confusing to have to remember which voice assistant to
use with which IoT device, so we recommend sticking to one or the other. Once you’ve
decided which voice assistant is for you, buy a compatible smart speaker or a smart
display to kick off your home automation system.

Fig # 6: Google Nest Mini and Box

 Control protocol: Next, decide which protocol you want your devices to communicate
with, be it WiFi, Z-Wave, ZigBee, or others. If you’re just starting off with a smart home,
WiFi will be your most straightforward option, as most IoT devices work with WiFi.
 Types of products: Next, go room by room and decide which types of products you’ll
need, be it security cameras, light bulbs, locks, coffee makers, and the like. Our buying
guide below can help!
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 Brands: Then, do some research as to the best smart home companies; the reviews on our
website go over the most popular brands like Ring, Nest, SimpliSafe, Alder Security, and
more.
 Devices: Now it’s time to actually buy your IoT devices. We recommend buying in bulk,
as many companies offer discounts for larger packages.
 Installation: Now, it’s time to actually install the IoT devices where you want them.
Most IoT devices have DIY installation, meaning you can do it yourself for free.
However, some companies like Vivint and ADT require professional installation for their
smart security systems, so be sure to factor in installation cost, if any, to your bottom line.
To learn more, read our pages on Vivint’s costs and ADT’s costs.
 Customize settings: So you’ve researched, purchased, and installed your IoT devices in
your home. What’s next? Now, the fun can really start, as you can customize the devices
to your liking, whether that means setting them on schedules, dimming lights, or having
devices trigger one another. We’ll talk more about these features in a bit, but first, let’s
talk about the IoT devices actually available on the market today.
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Chapter 4
Securing Home Automation and IoT Devices

With some IoT devices, digital security can be more of an afterthought, not originally built into
many first-generation models. However, as security breaches become more commonplace, many
manufacturers are changing their ways, making their IoT devices less hackable. But ultimately,
it’s up to the user to take advantage of these digital security features. Here’s how:

 Secure router: One of the most straightforward ways to secure your home automation
system is to use a secure router from a company other than your Internet Service
Provider; we recommend looking into routers from NETGEAR, Linksys, and TP-Link.
 Privacy policy: Sure, it may be time-consuming and more than a little bit boring, but
it’s important to actually read the company’s privacy policy to see what customer data
they keep and how they share it and sell it to third parties.
 Name router: Be sure to give your router a name other than the one that it came with.
 Encryption: Choose a strong encryption method for your WiFi, like WPA2.
 WiFi password: Make sure your WiFi network has a long, complicated, and unique
password. Of course, this makes it harder to add guests, but it also prevents others from
hopping on (and hacking your IoT devices).
 Separate WiFi network: For the most security for your IoT devices, consider
getting a separate WiFi network for IoT devices only. This will also create faster Internet
speeds all around.
 Password hygiene: Aside from your WiFi network, your IoT account should have a
password that’s not repeated on any other account; no old, weak or repeated passwords
allowed!
 Device settings: Often, devices have features enabled by default that aren’t necessary,
and that can make your IoT devices more hackable. Be sure to turn off these features
when not in use, like WiFi, Bluetooth, and knowing your location.
 Software updates: Although change can be scary, software updates are a good thing!
They often include updates specifically targeted at improving digital security, so be sure
to perform all software updates as soon as they’re available.
 Authentication: Some companies like Ring have added two-factor authentication to
their accounts, meaning to sign in, we had to enter a passcode that was sent to our
phones. This made sure that only us, the authorized users, could access our accounts. For
even more authentication, look for accounts that allow for fingerprint or facial ID, known
 16

as multi-factor authentication. You can also add on either type of authentication through a
password manager; for example, we use LastPass’ Touch ID to access all accounts on our
iPhones.
 VPN: Finally, if you’re using an IoT device on a public Wi-Fi network, like a smart
plug powering your laptop in a coffee shop, connect to a VPN, or Virtual Private
Network, to encrypt your web traffic and hide your IP address.
 17

Chapter 5
Home Automation and IoT Devices in Pakistan
Aquanta:
It is a smart device that will connect with your already installed water geezer. The Aquanta
retrofittable water heater controller brings your electric or gas water heater into the palm of your
hand to heat water only when you need it. Aquanta is the smart water heater timer that easily
connects to your Wi-Fi for maximum convenience and cost savings.

Cost Savings:
 Smart control of thermostat and heat cycling
 Energy savings suggestions
 Weekly & monthly usage data comparison

Convenience, Comfort and Safety:

 See how much hot water is available

 Remote turn on/off and scheduling capability
 Maintenance alerts, including leak detection
 Automatic overheating shutoff

Intelligent Controls:

 Autonomous learning function matches water heating with usage patterns

 Operation via remote dashboard
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Fig # 7: Aquanata smart water heading device

Vendor in Pakistan:

 Customer services #: 92-21-35837333

https://www.tejar.pk/leaksmart-water-heater-appliance-kit-1-inch

 https://www.ubuy.com.pk/en/product/6JY600U4-aquanta-networked-water-heater-
controller-and-optional-leak-sensor?
utm_source=website&utm_medium=product_page&utm_campaign=country_navigation_
popup

Okasaha smart switches and appliances:

Okasha provides the wide range of appliances and switches in Home Automation filed in
Pakistan.

Smart-Switches:
It is High quality tempered glass panel design with blue LED indicator. Easy to install and can replace the old
switch directly. Smart wall outlet switch works with Alexa, google home, IFTTT and Okasha mobile app.
Install in wall, set up the connection between your smart phone and wifi and then plug in appliances, such as
lamps, fan, water dispenser, TV, humidifier, light, etc. with pre-set ON/Off function.
 19

Fig # 8: Okasha smart switches.

Smart Door Locks:

Okasha Smart Door lock works through app, finger print, keys, and card.

Fig # 9: Okasha Smart Door Locks

Smart LED’s Bulb:

Illuminate your home in a smart way with the okasha Smart bulb. Packed with a few impressive
features, such as multiple effects and smart control, this bulb will let you set the right mood, sync
your favorite tunes to the lighting and change the bulb’s color easily and efficiently (supports up
to 16 million colors). This bulb can be controlled from almost anywhere through the okasha app.
 20

You can also connect it to your home Wi-Fi to control it through Google Assistant or Amazon
Alexa.

Fig # 10: Okasha Smart LED Bulb

Smart Security Alarm Kit:

Okasha smart security alarm kit will have PIR motion sensors and other monitoring and alarm
system.

Fig # 11: Okasha smart security Kit

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Smart Curtains:
Okasha provides us with the smart curtains kit which has smart switches to control the curtain's
move too and fro also it can be controlled through an app.

Fig # 12: Okasha smart curtains

Vendor in Pakistan:

 Customer services #: 92-301-0444888

https://okashasmart.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpeaYBhDXARIsAEzItbEzJgeu2jg0-
yuryvvcndSscRpmffUeucyWvr6N33zBwqIJLsK0n0AaAvxWEALw_wcB
 22

Conclusion
Just like building Rome, automating your home can’t be done in a day. Rather, you can start
small and then build up your home automation system over time. With so many new IoT devices
being put on the market every day, there’s truly no limit to what you can automate, making your
life safer and more convenient than ever before.