Smart home: see products to start building yours

The first prototypes of smart products began to be produced in the late 1960s, but it was the advancement of computer technology and the internet that made the scenario we know possible.

The ECHO IV is considered the first smart device in history, developed to control the temperature of the house, turn on and off some appliances, among other functions. Originally, it was manufactured between 1966 and 1967 by American engineer Jim Sutherland, but never reached market shelves.

Currently, there are several smart products that can be used to automate the home and allow various actions to be carried out directly via smartphone or virtual assistants — connections are generally made via Wi-Fi. With that in mind, the CNN put together a list of products that can help you assemble your first smart home. Check out:

Smart socket

Smart plugs connect to common electrical outlets in any home. Using them, users can transform conventional appliances into smart devices.

For example, when you connect the smart outlet to a regular floor fan, you can easily turn it on and off using the outlet manufacturer’s recommended app, a virtual voice assistant, or your home’s smart hub. See below a list of products available on the market.

• Smart Plug Wi-Fi 10A/1000W- NBR Positivo Casa Inteligente (from R$61);
• TP-Link Tapo P110 10A Bivolt (from R$ 78.99);
• Smart Plug LSPA2 Coibeu (from R$75.99)
• Elgin SHPT400 ELG 16A (from R$91.20)
• Smart line filter 5 sockets EWS 305 (from R$ 163.39)

Smart bulb

Smart bulbs are lighting devices that can be used completely remotely. Your smartphone and lamp just need to be connected to the same network WiFi for normal operation.

After installing the lamp in your home and configuring the appropriate application for use, you will be able to turn it on and off, adjust the brightness, change the color palette, control it by voice via virtual assistants, integrate with other devices, detect movements and much more. The functions depend on the chosen model. Discover some smart light bulbs available on the market below.

• Smart Wi-Fi RGB + 10W Positive Smart Home Lamp (from R$ 81.90);
• Elgin SmartColor Super Power 30W with Alexa and Google Home (from R$89);
• Philips Hue Smart Bulb 9W WiFi Bluetooth (from R$349);
• Xiaomi Mi LED Smart Bulb Essential 9w (from R$79.99)
• Ourolux Controlled Presence Sensor 9w (from R$ 33.34)

Smart lock

A smart lock has the same function as a conventional lock, but you don’t need keys to open the doors. While some offer a panel for you to enter the opening code, others unlock the door using a biometric sensor or facial recognition. Some models also offer the option to open it remotely.

Unlike common models, smart locks must be connected to the property’s electrical network or have an internal battery; In the event of a power outage, there is no need to worry as the door can be locked or unlocked normally by other means. See some models below.

• Smart Lock to Embed Biometrics and Positive Numeric Password Smart Home (from R$ 683.05)
• Elsys ESF-DE2000B to Embed Biometrics and Numeric Password (from R$600)
• FR 101 Interbrás Lock to Override Numeric Password (from R$ 335.77)
• Lock‎ IFR 7000+ Interbrás Biometrics for Embedding with Alexa and compatible with Smart Hub (from R$ 1800)
• ‎INTELAR-X2-L Numeric Password Biometrics Camera Lock (from R$ 1079).

Smart speaker

A smart speaker (smart speaker) combines the sound of speakers with the possibility of controlling it through different virtual voice assistants, such as Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.

From these devices, you can listen to music, make calls, control smart lights, lock the doors and much more. Discover some models below.

• Amazon Echo dot 5th generation (from R$299)
• Amazon Echo Pop (from R$219)
• Sonos One Generation 2 with Alexa (from R$2275)
• Smart Speaker IZY Speak! Intelbrás with Alexa (from R$608.81)
• Xiaomi 12W Smart Speaker with Google Assistant (from R$ 389.99)

Connected robot vacuum cleaner

If you want to keep your home clean, but don’t want to go through the trouble of vacuuming up all the dirt, the best choice is a smart robot vacuum cleaner. The primary function of this device is the automated cleaning of your home, whether it is to vacuum up dust, dirt or other small impurities spread across the floor.

Using sensors, the robot vacuum cleaner can navigate around the house and avoid any obstacle in its path; you can even schedule cleaning. Some models support the use of virtual assistants, allowing you to control them by voice. However, it is also possible to use remote controls and smartphone applications.

Every robot vacuum cleaner is different, while some only vacuum, others can sweep, vacuum and mop. So, choose the ideal model for you. See some below.

• ROBOT W400 WAP with Remote Control and MOP (from R$ 1199)
• iRobot Roomba 694 Anti-fall Sensor (from R$ 1699.90)
• Samsung Powerbot-E Robot Vacuum Cleaner (from R$ 1781.33)
• Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaner Wi-Fi PRA100 Positivo Casa Inteligente (from R$ 787.79)
• Lilin Robot Vacuum Cleaner intelligent navigation C30B (from R$1119.90)

What is a smart home and how to set up one?