Home Automation
Still not sure where 'Home Automation' is going ... maybe 'Smart Devices' ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Home_automation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_automation
Home automation or smart home (also known as domotics or domotica) is the residential extension of building automation and involves the control and automation of lighting, heating (such as smart thermostats), ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and security, as well as home appliances such as washer/dryers, ovens or refrigerators/freezers that use WiFi for remote monitoring.
Seems like a fairly narrow definition to me, sort of a 'structural definition'. In other words, the definition is uses what it is ( structure ) rather than what it does for you ( function ).
... Manufacturers often prevent independent implementations by withholding documentation and by suing people. The home automation market was worth US$5.77 billion in 2015, predicted to have a market value over US$10 billion by the year 2020.
Domestic US only, not worldwide ?
... Applications and technologies
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC): it is possible to have remote control of all home energy monitors over the internet incorporating a simple and friendly user interface.
Lighting control system
Appliance control and integration with the smart grid and a smart meter, taking advantage, for instance, of high solar panel output in the middle of the day to run washing machines.
Security: a household security system integrated with a home automation system can provide additional services such as remote surveillance of security cameras over the Internet, or central locking of all perimeter doors and windows.
Leak detection, smoke and CO detectors
Indoor positioning systems
Home automation for the elderly and disabled
A more functional view ...
Whatever home automation turns out to be, it seems to be the "next big thing".
Resources
There's already a lively market for open source/licence products.
https://openhomeautomation.net/ - The Book
Home Automation with Arduino is a complete resource to start building your own home automation systems based on the Arduino platform. By using this product, you will learn how to automate your home using DIY home automation systems.
https://openhomeautomation.net/arduino-battery/
... I tested many solutions to really reduce the power to the lowest value possible, and the best I found is the JeeLib library.
The RaspberryPi too.
