A cloud based and Android supported scalable home automation system

In this paper, an Android based home automation system that allows multiple users to control the appliances by an Android application or through a web site is presented. The system has three hardware components: a local device to transfer signals to home appliances, a web server to store customer records and support services to the other components, and a mobile smart device running Android application. Distributed cloud platforms and Google services are used to support messaging between the components. The prototype implementation of the proposed system is evaluated based on the criteria considered after the requirement analysis for an adequate home automation system. The paper presents the outcomes of a survey carried out regarding the properties of home automation systems, and also the evaluation results of the experimental tests conducted with volunteers on running prototype. Home automation is the introduction of technology within home to enhance the quality of life of its occupants, through the provision of different services, such as tele-health, multimedia entertainment and energy conservation. In other words, home automation aims at the orchestration of digital devices for the convenience of users together with security and the capability to monitor multiple dwellings [1]. Traditional home automation systems involve the control of digital devices which provide functions such as heating, lighting and shading. Due to the rapid growth of information technology and modern entertainment systems in recent years, these primary functions are required to be enriched with additional services (i.e., music system volume reduction when the telephone rings [1]). In [2], the benefits of home automation systems (the smart house systems) are listed as safety, comfort, power saving and communications. In order to provide these benefits, some technical requirements must be also respected, such as low cost, plug and play, flexibility, ease of use and reliability [2]. In the study by Piyare and Tazil [3], the requirements are itemized in detail: The wireless home automation systems should be scalable to facilitate the integration of new devices. The system should provide a user-friendly interface on the host side, so that the devices can be easily setup, monitored and controlled. The system interface should also provide some diagnostics services to track potential problems.