Here at r:home, our team went on an off-site retreat and reflected on why our company exists in the first place. After hours of discussion, we decided our mission is to “make life easier and more enjoyable" through the design and deployment of smart homes. However, this got me thinking… is it possible for a smart home to not only make life more enjoyable, but more meaningful?

I’m Derick Downey, lead programmer for r:home, and in this blog series I’m going to explore this question. If you are a fan of self-help authors like James Clear or Tony Robbins, or just interested in learning new and creative smart home ideas, this blog is for you. Also, this series will only improve from your contribution, so please subscribe and leave your thoughts in the comments below! 

Defining the Terms

What Is Home Automation?

“Home Automation” is a fancy word for the automatic control of electronic devices in your home. It typically involves multiple electronic devices working together toward a common goal. A “smart home” is simply a home that has “home automation” built into it.

Some classic examples of home automation include: