History of Smart Home Automation

Complete History of Smart Home Technology – Smart home technology has evolved and continues to evolve with every passing day with new innovations happening in the industry. This advancement is driven by many technologies such as IoT, AI/ML and even by the modern lifestyle. The concept of home automation is not new and dates back to the early 19^th century. The smart technology we know today has refined over the years and started taking shape in the 20^th century. Let’s take you through the history of home automation technology and understand the evolution of smart home technology trends and innovations.

Evolution of Smart Home Technology Timeline

1956: Discovery of AI – Artificial Intelligence which is creating ripples in every industry was incepted in 1956. The concept was just born, where the idea was to make the machines learn things the way they get the input by understanding user behaviour. Echo 1V was the first smart home device which was invented in 1966 by Jim Sutherland. It was a smart home computer that created shopping lists, controlled indoor temperature, made weather forecasts etc.
1970s: The Development of X10 – X10 was one of the first and majorly adopted home automation protocols which led to a milestone in the history of smart home technology. This protocol allowed communication between the devices. The foundation for remote-controlled devices was laid here.
1980s – 1990s: Inception of Term Smart Home – This was the time when the term “Smart Home” got coined. It still sounded like a dream. It was the time when tech evolved for the elderly and Gerontechnology came into existence. The clapper – the first sound-activated device was invented in this timeline.
Early 2000s: The Millennium House – Most people wonder when was the first smart home invented. It was The Millennium House, – a British show home that served and demonstrated people about what a smart home looks and functions like. This was the time when smart technology started gaining popularity and was widely adopted. This time the users were able to monitor and control their homes remotely using mobile apps and other web interfaces.
2010s: Emergence of Amazon Alexa – This era in the evolution of smart home technology witnessed the emergence of smart thermostats and voice-controlled home assistants such as Amazon Alexa. This was further propelled by the proliferation of Wi-Fi and smartphones. Thus, setting up a benchmark in the history of home automation technology. Other companies such as Apple and Google also launched their smart technology ecosystems such as Google Home and Apple HomeKit. To maintain interoperability between various smart home automation technology brands, industry standards such as Z-wave, Zigbee etc. were developed.
Present and Future of Smart Automation – Today smart home technology is increasingly being adopted by many UK homes. With an increasing focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, the features of smart home devices continue to get optimized. All thanks to smart home innovations that are steering the way towards reducing carbon emissions and reducing environmental impact.

This was just a small glimpse of the history of smart home automation technology. The more you explore, the more you learn the deeper steps of evolution. JKM Smart Homes is a leading smart home automation company offering high-quality services to provide unforgettable home experiences.