Ever since watching Back to the Future II all those years ago, I’ve been patiently waiting for my hoverboard. So far, science has let me—and countless others—down. Sure, we’ve had a few “hoverboards” on the market, but let’s be honest: they don’t hover, and they tend to randomly catch fire. Not quite the future we were promised.
One area that has delivered, however, is home automation. While variations of it have existed for years, it’s now more accessible than ever for almost anyone.
At its core, home automation is about simplifying or automating actions performed by electronic devices. It’s a broad space, with products ranging from the ultra-useful to the purely fun, and the variety grows every day.
Imagine you’re at the office (remember those days?), and your phone buzzes to let you know someone’s at the door. “Finally,” you think, “my eBay delivery.” You open the app connected to your smart doorbell, and there’s your parcel, along with the delivery person. You use the two-way speaker to ask them to leave it safely over the fence on the electricity box. Done and dusted.
When you get home, you grab the parcel and approach the front door. It's large—no way you’re opening the door while juggling it. But as you get close, the deadbolt unlocks automatically because your smart lock detects your phone. No keys, no hassle.
As you step inside, the hallway lights turn on. A door sensor paired with an ambient light sensor does the job—only switching the lights on if it’s dark. You walk into the living room where Odette the cat is curled up on the couch. Not wanting to disturb her, you softly say, “Hey Google, turn on the living room lights to 20%.” A gentle glow fills the room. Odette, unimpressed, flicks her tail.
It’s getting chilly, but you don’t need to lift a finger. The heating has already kicked in, triggered by a sensor that monitors both the temperature and whether anyone’s home.
Dinner’s underway in the slow cooker—switched on remotely earlier in the day. It won’t win you MasterChef, but it does mean one less thing to worry about. While you eat, you ask Google to play some music and shift the lighting to something a bit more ambient. You’ve given up wondering what colour the food is supposed to be—at this point, taste is the priority.
Later, you head into the media room for the latest episode of Dance Moms. No remote needed—just ask Google to fire it up. The TV powers on, and the drama begins.
Eventually, you call it a night. “Hey Google, it’s bedtime.” The TV switches off, the doors lock, and the heating shuts down—except in the bedroom. The rest of the lights fade out over the next two minutes, except for a soft bedside glow. Ocean sounds begin playing as you settle in.
The next morning, you wake not to a blaring alarm, but to a simulated sunrise from your smart lights, slowly transitioning from soft red to a golden yellow over 45 minutes. Sitting up, you say, “Hey Google, good morning.” The coffee machine starts brewing. The speaker gives you a news update, checks your calendar, tells you it’s going to rain, and reminds you to take an umbrella. Then it shifts gears and plays Eye of the Tiger to get you moving.
These are just a few ways you can integrate automation into everyday life. I’ve added a mix of products from different brands so you can explore what suits your setup. Personally, I’ve loved incorporating a few smart features into my own home—and even Odette is coming around. Kind of.
Oh, and the parcel? It was this little gem. Hopefully, this is the thing that finally wins her over.
