IIT-D creates smart homes

Ever imagined being able to control all the electronics in your house, even when you are not in town? Well, the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D) certainly has. Two professors and three students from the department have been working together, in this regard, on 'SmartHomes: Sensor Networks in Action'.The project revolves around a sensory technique that helps safeguard houses by letting owners control them even across large distances.
One of the professors working on the pilot project, Subrat Kar, termed it as a revolution. Elaborating on the features, Kar stated: "The central control panel will control everything in the house that has been linked with the system. The house will also be equipped with a proximity sensor. Any person entering the home, or coming near it, will be clicked and the system will record the entry. Even if anyone passes the windows, their photograph and identity will be recorded in the main control panel."
The system also addresses the issue of growing thefts in the city. "If someone tries to enter the house or tries to break the windows, the central database system will send an instant SMS to the owner. Besides, the same can be extended to alert the police as well," informed Kar. Home-owners need not worry about lights that weren't switched-off. "In many occasions I have noticed that people leave their keys with their neighbours, so that they can turn-on their portico lights in the evening. Now, the owner can do so at his own convenience via his laptop, even while sitting in another town," said Kar.
Elaborating on the market availability of the product, Kar stated: "The wireless network and control through laptops is an innovation. It will cost an individual Rs 25,000-30,000 to equip the system. Further, it will take only 15-20 minutes to install the system in a house." The sensory technique is being developed by Elfsys, IIT's own start-up company. "We started the project around four years back. The motive was to be able to protect the house and to avoid any mishap due to electrical systems," said Kar.
IIT-D also organised I2Tech, an annual open house competition, on April 19. The event showcased an extensive collection of innovative research and projects undertaken by IIT students and faculty.