Computers, smartphones, wearable
devices, even smart home sensors: No matter how long their batteries last, they
all have to be plugged in to a power source to be charged. But as Mark Harris
reports for MIT’s Technology Review, University of Washington researchers have
developed technology that enables gadgets to work and communicate using
only energy harvested from nearby TV, radio, mobile phone, and
Wi-Fi signals. Home automation is exactly what it sounds like: automating the ability to
control items around the house—from window shades to pet feeders—with a
simple push of a button (or a voice command). Some activities, like setting up
a lamp to turn on and off at your whim, are simple and relatively inexpensive.
Others, like advanced surveillance cameras, may require a more serious
investment of time and money.
The
best choice of smart home hub is
the Wink Hub 2. The device is great for a number of reasons, namely that it
supports a huge range of standards – including Z-Wave, ZigBee, Bluetooth,
Wi-Fi, Kidde, and Lutron Clear Connect. It also works with Amazon's Alexa, and IFTTT. The technology,
which uses a principle called backscattering to selectively reflect incoming
radio waves to construct new signal, is headed toward commercialization.
Within just a few years, this should result in battery-free gadgets for your
smart home, including security cameras, temperature sensors, and smoke alarms
that never have to be charged.
There are
many smart home product categories, so you can control everything from lights
and temperature to locks and security in your home. They also happen to make
fantastic gifts, whether you're shopping for the holidays or buying a
housewarming present. Here's a rundown of the best products we've tested for
every room of the house.
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