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Homely Smart Home App Case Study

As the world progresses and each sector becomes more and more digital, we can utilize new technologies to help us manage our everyday lives. That’s why we wanted to create something smart for today’s smart homes. Homely is our concept smart home app for managing your home.

Our Process

Even though, the app is a concept project, we always follow our processes. Here’s all the stages we go through to create a brand new design. We begin with research and determining who are we designing for, what are their needs, goals and habits. Then, we focus on brainstorming ideas and seeing whether they fit our user persona. After we’ve established the key functionalities, we begin designing the product. From wireframes to prototypes to the final UI on each stage we try to conduct tests with target users to constantly review our ideas.

Designing For Comfort, Simplicity And Functionality

Our challenge was to create something that is both easy enough to use while still providing control over the appliances in user’s home without overwhelming them. We decided to focus on three main points to make the app as useful to its users as possible.

Target Audience

Every user has their very own habits and mental models that they apply to their everyday life. When designing products, you need to keep in mind a specific target group and their characteristics. Based on our basic desk research, we were able to determine key characteristics of our user persona, which you will see below. Those simple insights are something that can make or break the product’s success on the market. While many companies often overlook those when creating or improving their products, we believe that knowing is always better than not knowing. At least when it comes to design.

After our desk research helped us determine who is our user persona, we needed to get to know them even better. We decided to use a survey to gather quantitative data about our target audience. Our goal was to get to know their habits and their thoughts on smart home appliances. Here’s our top insights:

The insights we gathered showed us an image of a tech-forward person who is not only interested in the newest devices but is also looking for them to improve their quality of life.

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Style guide.

For each project we create a style guide. This makes future work easier and makes the work quicker for the development team. We believe that a style guide is extremely important, so here it is:

Key Functionalities

After we completed our research, we mapped out the functionalities that would be most important for the target user. Below, you will find the screens we designed and which features we found crucial.

The focal point of the Homely app is the dashboard. It was designed to provide a quick overview of the most important updates for the user.

Device Management

The app enables users to control each smart device they own, whether it’s an air conditioning device or “traditional” smart lights.

Device Groups

For easy access and management, the users can group their devices into groups. This way, they can have a separate view for each room in their home.

Usage Control

As the world becomes more and more conscious of the environmental issues, it’s important that apps like Homely help users to be more sustainable and manage their usage.

If you are interested in learning more about this project, you can visit our Behance profile for a case study or our Dribbble to see single shots and app screens . Our team is also available for other projects, you can contact us at [email protected] .

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UX Case Study on Smart Home App

Haven is a smart home app that aims to integrate monitoring and controlling of smart home appliances from a single app. It provides a more efficient way of managing member accounts and to control devices seamlessly. Haven is designed keeping the end user in mind and maximum effort has been

Problem Statement

Smart home residents tend to own multiple smart devices and want them to work together under a single app. They also want an option where devices could be scheduled to run by the user and be automated accordingly. An another feature most of them desired was sharing the access of devices and to have admin control over them.

There is a need to design an experience where user could add all his smart appliances and have seamless control over them under a single app. Creating of routines or automating devices can lead to better home automation and a more satisfactory experience. Sharing access of devices to guests and other family members will prove more usable and convenient to the user.

Design Process

Discover Phase

Cross Channels

• Smart Watches

General Tasks

• Login to the app
• View Weather Power Consumption
• View Routines
• Create custom routines
• View Rooms Devices
• Control individual Device
• View Notifications
• View Members list
• Add / Remove Members
• Give device access to Members

Critical Success Factors

• Reduce Cognitive load
• Easy connectivity of smart devices with the app
• Ability of user to control devices remotely
• Creation of custom device automations
• A secure feature to share access of devices among members

Target Audience

• Nuclear Families
• Metropolitian Cities
• Middle Upper Class SES
• Apartments gated communities
• Paying guest accomodations

User Research

I created a survey to understand what smart home users wanted from a basic  level to the most expected features by them. I got 18 responses from various smart home users.

Survey Insights

The survey revealed that a large majority of the sample users in India are single males of ages 25 - 34 years, residing in Bangalore and living in apartments or gated communities. The primary reason for home automation was found to be security and time convenience. Security alert features included safety hazard solutions such as appliances switched off, smoke alarms and motion detectors. The most important feature for users was to have remote access and control of home appliances. Through this survey, it can be concluded that security and remote access  seemed to be the major motivators of users to buy and smart appliances and there is a need to integrate these features into smart home apps.

Define Phase

User personas.

Personas are descriptions of particular hypothetical users whose goals and characteristics represent the needs of a larger group of users.

Empathy Mapping

Empathy maps illustrate what users might hear , see, say , do, think and feel in their surroundings. It helps provide structure to help express ideas and information to others. The empathy map below was created on the persona of Giselle Parker.

Ideate Phase

Scenarios storyboard are methods that use stories on examples of use of app / website in real time basis using a hypothetical situation. They are written illustrate narratives, created based on survey , data points, interviews, personas empathy maps. The Scenario Storyboard created here are based on data collected from the survey and from the personas created.

Joel is a photographer and often travels to distant places for work. In morning rush, at times he forgets to switch off some appliances causing rise in electricity bill as well as increasing chances of electrical mishap. One morning on way to work, Joel realises that he might have left the A/C  on. He was already in his bus and could not travel back home to switch it off. Using HAVEN, Joel can monitor which appliances are running. He can from a remote place turn any appliances ON/OFF saving cost of electricity and improving the life of the appliance. He receives an alert notification from the HAVEN app. On seeing the status of the A/C he quickly updates the status and switches off the device saving electricity and preventing any electrical mishap.

Card Sorting

The Card Sorting activity helps to design, categorise and evaluate information. This is a method in which the designer asks a group of SMEs or users to arrange items intocategories. The Open Card Sorting technique was used with 2 people to help understand the user flow process

User flow falls in the solution space of the UX process. It illuminates the path that users would take in order to complete a task or navigate through the app. The user flow was developed based on the user research results, user personas,empathy map and scenarios.

Information Architecture

Information Architecture is the design structure developed based on the user flow and card sorting technique and is later used to generate wireframes for the app or website.

Design Phase

Low fidelity wireframes.

High Fidelity Wireframes

Testing Phase

Usability testing.

A preliminary Usability Testing was conducted to obtain valuable insights into the working of the HAVEN App. A group of people took turns in being either the user, researcher or observer while the testing was being conducted to gain a better understanding of the process. The user was given the task of signing up, adding a new device, adding a member and creating a new routine. The observations and feedback were noted down, where the user stated that the app was easy to navigate with a simple and easy to use UI. Only minor struggles were found by the user and they were noted down to further improve the App interface.

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Smart Home UX Design Case Study - Gorkem YILDIZ

Smart Home Systems UX study I prepared for Amaris Consulting.

eGlu Dry Contact Switch Controller

eGlu Smart Plug 16A

eGlu Smart Plug 6A

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Curtain Motor Kit

Square Button

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Glass Touch

Smart home automation – 7 use-case scenarios in an IoT (Internet of Things) world.

What is a smart home.

  It’s a fully connected household environment that provides its residents with an unprecedented level of control and comfort. The main purpose of smart home IOT devices is to simplify your home life, make it safer and more convenient.

In 2021, the concept of smart home automation implies much more than just remote control and automation. IoT, along with emerging technologies like AI, has opened up possibilities in home automation. Today, a smart home lives to exceed consumers’ expectations. It learns about your habits, your favourite music, room temperature, wake up timings and determine consumption patterns. These insights help provide a personalized experience at your homes.  They can be easily controlled via a smartphone app, so we don’t have to worry about our home security even when we are not there. Let’s look at the most popular ways to use Smart home IoT technologies in your home and understand what the benefits look like.

Home Automation Application and Use cases 

Today, the most widely used smart home application is home lighting. Most people know of tunable lighting that can change between warm and bright with different colour hues that suit your mood & requirement. But let’s check a few other use case scenarios for smart lights.

• As you enter your home, lights can turn on automatically without the necessity to press a button. (This can also work as a  safety feature to detect intrusions )
• The opposite is also possible as you leave your home; the system can turn the lights off automatically, thereby  saving energy.
• Home theatre  enthusiasts can have the lights programmed to automatically dim while watching a movie to provide the best viewing experience.
• Your light can turn on when your alarm rings in the morning, waking the whole household up if need be.
• All smart lighting in your home can be connected to your smartphone and other connected devices and can be voice-controlled.

Smart home automation devices can make the cooking process safer and convenient too. 

• It can turn on the lights or play soothing music when you enter the kitchen in the morning to prepare that hot, steaming cup of morning chai.
• Smart sensors can check for gas leaks, smokes, water leakages and turn off the power in the house if the indicators are outside the optimum range. 
• Appliances (refrigerators, chimneys) can be controlled through voice-activated devices. You can ask Alexa to preheat the oven to 180 degrees while you prep your cake.

Safety and Security Systems

Safety sensors identify anything wrong at your home. They can notify home users of any overlooked like an appliance left on or any potential threats immediately and even trigger necessary action to prevent them. 

• Proximity, motion & video sensors can identify if a burglar makes an attempt to break into your home and automatically turn on the panic alarm, lights and call the police.
• No more doubts or double checks on whether the doors and windows were closed or if that motor or heater are off? Smart home users can check their home state remotely through the app on their phones and control pretty much everything at home. 
• While locking the door, you can set controllers to automatically close the curtains, turn off devices and ensure your home is protected against any trespassers. 
• You can monitor your elderly relatives and automate things remotely for them if needed.

Smart home IoT technologies in the bathroom can help in power and energy savings with convenience. 

• With smart home automation, you can set your geysers to automatically turn on and off at a pre-set pattern basis your shower routine.
• This also helps make your home energy efficient by eliminating the unnecessary functioning of high power-consuming home appliances like geysers, heaters, ACs.

A smart home can be exceptionally beneficial for those plant lovers interested in growing vegetables, fruit, herbs, and indoor plants at home. 

• The technology allows users to check if the plant is adequately hydrated and receiving the necessary amount of sunlight.
• You can monitor your plant and turn on your smart irrigation system when needed. You can control and stop the watering system, thus optimizing water usage
• Smart home IoT technology has led to a real breakthrough in gardening, which will completely remodel the traditional approach to growing plants.

Temperature Control

With temperature control automation, you can optimize your ACs to provide the best experience while being energy efficient. 

• For instance, users can turn on their bedroom ACs as they drive from the office to enjoy a cool room once home after a tiring day.
• You can configure the bedroom AC with your geyser times, so once you step out from your bath, the room is ready for you.
• You can set the ACs to function based on the room temperature while you sleep at night. So you are neither cold nor hot and get a good night’s sleep.

We can safely assume the doors of our future will not need keys. Digital locks are safe and can be set to initiate a sequence of other devices in your home. 

• For instance, a door open can follow a customized sequence of actions like the light switching on; inside doors unlocked, and music and ACs are turned on.
• The entry door digital lock can identify who opened the door when. With a custom entry assigned for each individual, you can know when your kids, your hubby, or your maid reached home through notifications on your smartphones.

Retro-fit 

The most significant advantage of eGlu smart home solutions is that the patented products are retro-fit, which means:

• It is easily fittable to existing homes & electrical systems without any rewiring required.
• Scalable to new and existing homes – so you can do only a part of the home initially and extend to the rest of the house at a later stage.
• Applicable for residential & commercial buildings.

Without a doubt, home automation can significantly improve our quality of life and make our homes safer places. 

The cost could still be a barrier to entry for most Indian middle-class families. The wider adoption of the tech leading to economies of scale would reduce this barrier further. eGlu has devised affordable packages for the home user to onboard the smart home experience.

The other dependability is a strong home wi-fi network. You need to have a good broadband connection in your home to fully utilize the smart home IoT life.

But for those for whom the above are not a concern, you should transform your home into a smart home today. Click here  to contact eGlu and know more custom possibilities for your smart home.

Bridging the Gap Between Smart Home Technology and You

Smart Home Automation is the future, and why it’s time to join the revolution.

How home automation can help you with daily tasks

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Inside a Connected Home: Smart Home IoT Case Study

Table of Contents

Introduction.

In our ongoing exploration of smart home technology, we have previously examined the intricacies of its hardware components , software development, and mobile apps and even pondered the future of these connected spaces . Building upon this foundation, our latest article delves into an exciting new dimension: a miniature rendition of a smart home.

In this smart home IoT case study, we will unravel the inner workings of a smart home system, identify its core components, and shed light on the collaborative effort required to bring such a project to life. 

The smart home industry is constantly evolving, offering both exciting opportunities and challenges. As more and more houses adopt the idea of connected living, the demand for strong, secure, and user-friendly solutions becomes more and more crucial. By exploring the example of smart home technology, we can catch a glimpse of this dynamic field and the innovations that are shaping our way of life.

1. Creating Compact Smart Home Demo

In the constantly changing world of smart home technology, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of how everything works and fits together. Step into Indeema's Smart Home IoT Demo, a small yet impressive creation that perfectly captures the essence of a connected home . It provides us with the opportunity to explore its inner workings with unparalleled convenience.

1.1 The Elements of the Smart Home System Demo

The Smart Home IoT Demo consists of three essential components, each with its unique role in making this compact connected home functional.

1. A House Model in a Suitcase: Imagine it as a miniature version of modern living that can be packed into a suitcase. Not only does this compact house model visually represent what a smart home could look like, but it also serves as a practical showcase for on-the-go demonstrations.

2. IoT Platform: The robust IoT platform is at the core of our smart home demo. This is the place where the magic happens, where data from different sensors and devices comes together, and where commands are carried out to provide a smooth smart home experience.

3. Mobile App: A mobile app is the user's gateway to this smart world. This app is built on the iOS platform and serves as a control centre, enabling users to interact with the smart home and experience its functionalities directly.

1.2 Interfaces for User Interaction

When it comes to user interaction, the interfaces we design have a crucial role in shaping the user experience. The smart home demo includes the following interfaces:

• Mobile App: The mobile app allows users to have control over different aspects of their smart home. They have everything at their fingertips, from adjusting climate settings to managing access control and even controlling lights and the TV.
• Web Portal: To provide a more comprehensive view and enable remote control, we created a web portal. This interface allows users to access and control the smart home through a browser, making it even more versatile.

1.3  Hands-On Demonstration of Key Smart Home Features

The process of creating a smart home is defined by important decisions. In our case, the objective was to showcase the most essential smart home features. We have chosen features that accurately represent real-life scenarios, reflecting the everyday routines and requirements of homeowners. 

• Solar Energy Harvesting: Our smart home demonstrates the incredible potential of sustainable energy sources, specifically highlighting the efficient harnessing of solar energy in a modern household.
• Smart Charging: In this era of electric vehicles and increasing concerns about sustainability, this demo showcases the convenience and eco-friendliness of smart charging solutions.
• Climate control: The comfort and energy efficiency of precise climate control demonstrate how smart homes adapt to users' preferences.
• TV and Lights Control: By simply tapping on the mobile app, users can control their entertainment and lighting, allowing them to customize their living space according to their mood.
• Access Control: Smart Home demo brings security to the forefront. It shows how Smart Lock solutions can enhance home security and convenience.

This project highlights the main IoT features that are typically found in smart home systems. However, the comfort and energy efficiency that IoT technology has brought about are truly impressive, and modern smart home projects are becoming more and more complex. 

From advanced climate control systems that adjust temperature and humidity according to users' preferences and schedules, to intelligent lighting solutions that adapt to users' moods and activities.

2. How We Build Smart Home Using IoT

Now let's jump right into the meat of it and see how the Indeema team built a smart home demo. The goal was to demonstrate how to build a smart home mini-model in order to offer helpful insights into the development process. 

In our IoT Smart Home example, we have condensed all the functionalities of a full-fledged smart home, including a living area and a garage. 

2.1 Developing Overall Architecture

At the core of the IoT Suitcase project lies a robust architecture, connecting all the components of our smart home. 

What makes this demonstration stand out is not only its small size, but also the distinctive architectural design that allows users to observe the intricate flow of signals, starting from the sensors to the central MCU (Microcontroller Unit), cloud, and finally, to the mobile application.

The sensors and devices we have selected for the smart home demonstration use various interfaces and protocols. This enables users to control and monitor devices like the main door, air conditioner, humidity sensor, lighting, EV car charger, and TV. All of this can be done through a dedicated mobile application. 

A Compact Smart Home Ecosystem

The smart home model inside the suitcase has been carefully designed to replicate a real home. It includes a single room and a garage, which contain a variety of smart devices that embody the core of modern home automation.

Signal Flow Visualization

One of the most impressive aspects of this smart home demonstration is how the components are positioned. The smart home is located in the lower part of the suitcase, and the data flow visualization panel is integrated into the cover section. When a user commands a smart home device through the mobile app, the cloud-to-MCU and MCU-to-device message paths are visually indicated with running lights that show the direction of data flow.

Web Dashboard

A web dashboard is another way to access real-time and recent historical data from smart home devices. It enables the analysis of trends over time and aids in identifying usage patterns.

This hands-on experience offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to grasp the intricate workings of a smart home system.

2.2  Selecting and Integrating Smart Devices

Building a smart home naturally requires careful consideration of every sensor and device. Let's explore the hardware and control methods that enable this smart home demo.

Hardware Components:

1. Servo Motor: A key component that enables the movement of objects like the main door, providing remote access control.

2. DC Motor: Used for applications such as controlling blinds or curtains, offering a seamless integration into the smart home system.

3. A humidity sensor, capable of monitoring both temperature and humidity, provides essential information for ensuring comfort within the smart home.

4. LED Strip: allows to create dynamic lighting and ambiance, enhancing the smart home experience.

5. Multicolor Battery Capacity Indicator Module: a vital component for monitoring and managing the power supply of various devices within the smart home, such as charging stations.

6. A display interface providing a user-friendly summary of the state of the entire smart house.

Interface and Control Methods:

1. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation): used to control different devices such as servo and DC motors, enabling precise and adjustable control over their movements.

2. GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) (ON/OFF): used for toggling devices on and off, providing users with direct control over the connected appliances.

3. Digital One-Wire Communication:  used to transmit data, allowing for smooth information flow between devices and the central control system.

4. One-Wire NZR: utilized to facilitate dependable and effective data exchange among the various components of a smart home, thereby enhancing the system's responsiveness.

5. GPIO (Control) and Analog (Readout): Combining GPIO for control and analog signals for data reading offers a balanced and comprehensive solution for device management and feedback.

6. UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter): is used for bidirectional data exchange, allowing real-time monitoring and control of devices in the smart home.

Selecting and integrating smart devices into a smart home is a crucial step in creating a connected living space that fulfills customers' requirements. By focusing on use cases, compatibility, security, and scalability, developers have the ability to create innovative solutions that enhance the smart home experience while ensuring a high level of user satisfaction and data security. 

2.3 Firmware Development: Making Devices Communicate Seamlessly

During this development stage, the team of embedded engineers has a clear objective: to ensure that smart home devices can communicate seamlessly, regardless of their diverse origins and functionalities.

Modular and Scalable Design

The smart home ecosystem consists of a variety of devices, each with its own distinct role and specifications. In order to accommodate this diversity, our firmware has been meticulously designed to be modular and scalable. This means that when new devices or features are introduced, they can be seamlessly integrated into the current setup. Whether it's a new sensor for monitoring another aspect of the environment or a new smart device that enhances home automation, the firmware is prepared to adapt, expand, and effortlessly integrate these new components.

It also prioritizes low power consumption, which means that smart devices can operate for long periods without significantly affecting energy bills.

Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates

OTA updates are an essential part of modern smart home systems. They allow for remote and wireless firmware updates for different interconnected devices. These updates are crucial for ensuring the health, functionality, and security of smart home ecosystems. There is no need for users to manually update each device, as the smart home system centrally manages the process. Interoperability with IoT Platforms

The Internet of Things (IoT) relies heavily on interoperability between devices. Our firmware is designed to work seamlessly with a variety of IoT platforms. In our case, we used IoTConnect on AWS . It enables a unified and synchronized experience, ensuring that data flows smoothly and securely between smart home devices and the selected cloud services.

In summary, our firmware development is the backbone of the smart home's communication and functionality. It's designed to adapt, conserve power, receive updates effortlessly, and seamlessly collaborate with the broader IoT landscape. 

2.4 Software Development: The Heart of the Demo

The brains of our smart home demo is our IoT Suitcase app. Its intuitive design illustrates how easy it is to set up and manage  Internet of Things gadgets. Users can monitor environmental conditions, manage their devices, and tailor their Internet of Things experience to their specific requirements.

In the image above, we can observe two primary screens of the application:

• Home Screen: The home screen provides a complete list of connected devices, making it easy for users to manage and monitor them.
• Light Settings Menu: In this section, users have the option to customize the lighting to suit their personal preferences.

Additional screens also enable users to establish Wi-Fi connections and effortlessly switch between cloud platforms.

The mobile app enables users to remotely control devices by either clicking within the app or using voice commands. iOS devices offer a feature known as "Shortcuts" that allows users to create custom voice commands and automations. This feature has important implications for controlling smart homes. 

Using Shortcuts, users have the ability to create personalized voice commands for carrying out specific actions in their smart home. For example, in our home, we have programmed a command called "Movie Time" that dims the lights and turns on the TV. By simplifying complex sequences of actions into a single command, these voice-activated shortcuts elevate smart home automation to a whole new level. This is a crucial feature in the industry of modern smart homes. It should come as no surprise that the market for voice assistants is expected to reach a staggering $99 billion by 2026 .

In order to ensure the reliability and security of smart home environments, it is crucial to have an understanding of some of the most common examples of faults in software architecture for a smart home. 

These faults can encompass a broad spectrum of issues, including security vulnerabilities, interoperability challenges, resource inefficiencies, and a lack of robust mechanisms for handling failures. 

For instance, faulty software architecture may result in resource inefficiencies, such as devices running continuously when not required, excessive power consumption, or suboptimal utilization of computing resources. One possible solution could involve implementing intelligent power management and resource allocation algorithms. 

2.5 IoTConnect Platform for Smart Home IoT Solutions

In a previous article, we discussed Platform as a Service (PaaS) . Now, we turn our attention to the practical implementation of this concept in our smart home demonstration. To effectively manage devices and collect data, we've employed Avnet's IoTConnect Platform . 

The IoTConnect Platform simplifies the development journey, providing companies with a ready-made foundation to quickly bring innovative smart home solutions to market without having to create systems from the beginning.

This platform serves as the connective tissue for all smart devices in a home, making device communication and data collection more efficient while maintaining strict security protocols. 

With IoTConnect, companies can configure an unlimited number of on-premises and remote devices, enable cross-device communication, access real-time device information for analysis, set up automated notifications, and implement multi-layer security measures. It seamlessly interfaces with various tools essential for effective IoT deployment, fosters connectivity between devices, and integrates with existing CRM and ERP systems, thereby enabling smarter and more efficient homes for customers.

Indeema Software is proud to be an official member of the Avnet IoT Partner Program, which reflects our dedication to excellence in the Internet of Things (IoT) industry. By collaborating with Avnet, an industry leader, we have come together to offer high-quality IoT development services tailored to the specific requirements of mid-size companies and enterprises. This partnership brings together Avnet's extensive expertise and resources in the IoT field with our advanced technological solutions and development capabilities. The outcome is a strong collaboration that enables businesses to fully utilize the potential of IoT technology, making it easier to develop strong and customized solutions that meet their specific needs.

3. Data Privacy Illustrated: An Example of Smart Home Technology

The security of the information collected and transmitted within the smart home ecosystem is critical, and IoT platforms play a critical role in addressing these concerns. In our demo, we entrusted the task of data privacy and security to Avnet's robust IoTConnect Platform. 

Certified Security with IoTConnect Platform:

To find and fix vulnerabilities, every ecosystem layer is scanned and monitored. This industrial-grade data security strategy includes several essentials:

• Our smart home devices have identity and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
• All data in transit and at rest is encrypted to protect it from interceptions.
• Authenticating servers with unique IDs prevents impersonation and unauthorized access.
• Certificate-Based Authentication: Certificates authenticate users and devices, adding security.
• Secured Network: The entire network is protected from unauthorized access.
• Logging: Detailed logging records all system actions for analysis.
• Incident Response Services: Our system responds quickly and effectively to security incidents.
• Continuous Monitoring: Our system detects and responds to security threats in real-time.
• Secure Communication Channels: Device-IoT platform communication channels are secured to prevent eavesdropping and tampering.
• Firmware updates are delivered securely to keep smart home devices' software up-to-date and secure.

Meeting Industry Standards with Avnet-Managed Cloud:

The cloud platform, a key part of data infrastructure, is certified against four ISO standards:

• Information Security Management Systems (ISMS)
• ISO 27017: Cloud security controls
• ISO 27018: Public cloud PII protection
• Quality management systems: ISO 9001

Data privacy and security are of the utmost importance in this day and age of connected smart homes. The comprehensive IoTConnect Platform, built to meet the most stringent security requirements, is the backbone of our smart home's data protection. 

4. Partner with Indeema for Smart Home Excellence

As we've explored the specifics of smart home technology, it's become apparent that the path towards developing a fully integrated, high-tech home is rife with obstacles and possibilities. The innovation process often benefits from consulting with those who have built countless Internet of Things (IoT) systems for end customers. That's where Indeema steps in.

This case study delves into the smart home IoT ecosystem that Indeema has developed, serving as both a showcase and a testament to industry potential. We are fully dedicated to ensuring quality, security, and originality in every project we take on.

Collaborating with leaders such as IoTConnect enables us to offer solutions that truly stand out.

Every smart home is different, and we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. We collaborate closely with our partners to create tailored solutions that meet specific requirements.

In summary, the process of creating a compact and engaging smart home demo is intricate. Balancing technology integration and optimizing the user experience are crucial factors.

Creating a smart home using IoT technology involves following a systematic approach. It includes the process of planning the architecture, meticulously selecting and integrating smart devices, developing the required firmware and software, and utilizing platforms such as IoTConnect for smooth IoT solutions.

Thanks to our extensive expertise, we are able to provide a practical and user-friendly demonstration of the capabilities of IoT and smart home technologies. As we continue to enhance and expand our smart home demo, our aim is to inspire and educate, making sure that IoT technology can revolutionize the way we engage with our living spaces.  

Ivan Karbovnyk

CTO at Indeema Software Inc.

Ivan Karbovnyk has a PhD in Semiconductor and Dielectric Physics as well as a Doctor of Sciences in Mathematics and Physics. In his dual role as Chief Technical Officer at Indeema and Professor at the National University of Lviv's Department of Radiophysics and Computer Technologies, he successfully juggles academic and business work.

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• App Reviews /

This app put my Apple Home smart devices into an interactive map

The app controller for homekit has a new floor plan feature that lets you visualize control of homekit-compatible smart devices in each room..

By Jennifer Pattison Tuohy , a smart home reporter who’s been testing connected gadgets since 2013. Previously a contributor to Wirecutter, Wired, Dwell, and US News.

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Controller for HomeKit , a third-party app for controlling your Apple Home smart home, has a new Floor Plan feature that adds a map interface for interacting with connected devices like lights, locks, shades, sensors and more. I got some time with the new feature ahead of its launch this week and it’s a compelling way to control your smart home. A 3D scan of your house becomes an interactive map filled with all your connected devices providing an intuitive way to control them: Just tap the lamp next to the sofa on the map and that light will turn on.

For those unfamiliar, Controller for HomeKit is a well-regarded app that can manage and control any Apple Home and HomeKit compatible devices, scenes, automations, and so on. It uses the HomeKit framework meaning it works exactly like the Apple Home app, but it offers more complex automations and advanced notifications than the Home app. This makes it a good option for those who like Apple Home but find Apple’s own app too limited.

Floor Plan arrives with version 7.0 of Controller for HomeKit (iOS only), which also brings a complete redesign to the app, putting the new control feature front and center. This map-style interface provides an easier way for everyone in your house to control your smart home without having to memorize phrases like, “Siri, turn off left sofa lamp” or scrolling through a list of awkward names in an app.

The Floor Plan feature is part of a paid subscription and requires a LIDAR-enabled iPhone or iPad.

Because of this ease of use, map view is becoming a popular control method for the home; both Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings added a similar interface to their smart home control apps last year. Controlling gadgets on a map feels more intuitive than the current clunky state of voice control and is more visual than most of today’s app-based controls.

I’ve been playing with the new Floor Plan feature for about a day, and I like how it gives me a quick way to control multiple devices from one screen. I can tap the lamp in my living room, view a livestream from the camera in my kitchen, lock the front door, and see the temperature from the Hue Motion sensor in my dining room all in one place. Without the Floor Plan, that would require multiple taps and swipes, unless I had those devices set as favorites or tiles in my Control Panel on my iPhone.

I’ve also tried Amazon’s Map View feature and in practice it’s very similar. The biggest difference I’ve noticed so far is that I couldn’t add my HomePods to the Floor Plan, whereas I could add Amazon’s Echo speakers to the Alexa map view and control volume and playback directly from there.

Setting up Floor Plan was simple. The scanning feature is powered by Apple’s RoomPlan , a Swift API that uses the camera and LIDAR scanner on certain iPhone and iPad models to create a 3D floor plan (this is the same for the Amazon Alexa version).

Using my iPhone 15 Pro, I walked through my house, slowly guiding my camera around each room, watching as the app filled in digital walls and furniture with white lines. The developers behind Controller for HomeKit say all data processing is done locally on the iPhone and that the photos used to generate the floor plan are not being sent to the cloud.

It took 15 to 30 seconds to map each room and about five minutes to scan my entire split level downstairs area. The app then stitched the rooms together into a floor plan — I did two floor plans in total, you can do multiple. The floor plans include furniture, windows, doors, and dimensions, which made it easy to see where to add the icons for each device I wanted to place on the map.

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I had given the app permission to access my HomeKit data, so it knew which devices I had. Once the floor plan was complete, I could select my accessories from a list — lights, locks, thermostats, cameras, sensors, and so on — and add them to the map reflecting where they are in the real world. I could also add HomeKit scenes to each room to control multiple devices with one tap.

There’s a free version as well as a paid Pro version of Controller for HomeKit, the latter adds a backup and restore function among other benefits . It costs $29.99 for one year, or $99.99 for a lifetime license. The Floor Plan feature requires the paid version, but you can try it out for free as part of a 7 day trial.

You also need a LIDAR-enabled iPhone or iPad (iPhone 12 Pro, iPad Pro 11 third-gen or newer, or iPad Pro 12.9 fifth-gen or newer) to create the Floor Plan. If you don’t own one but know someone who does, the developers have created an AppClip that lets you create the Floor Plan on a friend’s device and import it to your device.

I’m a big proponent of developing new and more intuitive ways to control our smart home devices ; it’s too easy for them to become the responsibility of the one person in the house who knows how everything works and has all the control apps on their phone.

Of course, the natural place for this type of map interface is on a communal device with a large screen, like an iPad or tablet mounted on a wall or a TV. Controller for HomeKit has an iPad app that works with Floor Plan, Samsung’s SmartThings map view is available on its tablets and TVs; and Amazon has said it will bring its map view to its wall-mountable Echo Hub smart home controller this year.

While a map view is a seriously fun tool for smart home nerds like me — it’s like playing with a digital doll house! — the more accessible a feature like Floor Plan is to everyone in the house the more useful I think it will be. I would love to see Apple add a floor plan / map view to the Home app and bring it to Apple TV. Point and click with your remote to turn the lights off? That’s smart.

Screenshots by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge

Correction, May 29th: An earlier version of this article misstated the pricing of the Pro version of Controller for HomeKit. It is $29.99 per year or $99.99 for a lifetime license, not $14.49 / $29.99. The Floor Plan feature requires the Pro plan.

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