Home automation in the UK - frustrating
| September 8th, 2008I spent a good chunk of Saturday evening (yes, I *am* approaching 30) looking for a solution to something I’ve been researching for absolutely ages. It’s like my backburner web research project that I treat as a proper research thing that I keep coming back to and building on (thank you delicious, I heart you big time)But, I still haven’ t cracked it.
Basically I want to try out some home automation. I want to be able to dial into my house. I want to be able to check on an IP cam, turn the lights off remotely and generally get all geeky and do lots of cool stuff in the house - control everything via Twitter?!. Maybe that’s just getting way too geeky, but I’m adamant that home automation is the future and I’d like to get in there early. Besides, now is a great time for me to install some of the infrastructure for it as I’m building an extension and have the opportunity to rewire and mess around with 4 rooms at the same time.
Anyway, I’ve narrowed my search down to using the Insteon system (it already appears to have a community - good early signs) , potentially Indigo to control it all and ideally this latest bit of kit from Insteaon that web enables the whole lot and is iPhone optimised. However - the Insteon kit is from the US, not available in the UK yet (but coming soon, yay). Oh and even if you do get hold of it over here right now (which to be fair is easy) then it operates on the wrong voltage/frequency. Grrrrr.
So, I’m still hoping that I’m find a way of making all my geeky home automation dreams happen. Until then - here’s what could be.
