Home Automation Going Mainstream in 2011?

CES hasn’t even officially begun and, beyond the Android tablet parade and a return to 3D, it looks like there’s another technological trend worth keeping an eye on as several companies hope to crack the home automation nut. Of course, home automation technologies aren’t new but it’s generally the geeky cobbling together solutions. Yet with pervasive home networks and smartphones, the time could be right to expand the market beyond the tech savvy and custom install crowd.

Today, LG announced a Thinq line of products (WiFi, pictured above) while Somfy introduced their “Tahoma” gateway (Z-wave). Additionally, we know Verizon’s planning a big showing at CES… including tech beyond mobile. And they’re confirmed to be demoing a new Home Monitor and Control Service (which Engadget suspects is Z-Wave powered Motorola technology).

As a new home owner, with Verizon service, you know I’m interested…

3 thoughts on “Home Automation Going Mainstream in 2011?”

  1. I’ve been involved with home automation for a long, long time (using X10 and it’s derivatives; MisterHouse being my software base of choice) and I’d love to see it go main stream. I’m past the the “hack it to do what you want” stage and am looking for canned solutions that “just work” so I can spend more time doing other things (mainly time with the family).

    I’m just not sure the uptake is going to be there. When I show people that I can turn on any ceiling fan from my phone (from anywhere I can get a connection), they say cool, call me a geek, and then ask why I’d want to do that. My answer is to see if I can do it, and to freak out my wife when she’s at home.

    John

  2. Yeah… there’s definitely elements of overengineering your home at play. Thermostat control seems like it might be one item appealing to a wide variety of folks, at the very least. I know I’d like to adjust the air from out of the house (when I forget to change or program) or from upstairs when I don’t want to walk downstairs. Several of my blogger buddies are into home automation, but I too am tired of so many projects – looking for some nicely integrated, simple solutions. That’s why Verizon’s stuff looks promising… I assume they’ll come in and make it all work (for a monthly service fee) as they did with my FiOS install.

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