A controlled environment

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In this part of the world, interior automation is now the norm, rather than the exception.

From increased control, comfort and aesthetics to greater energy savings, consumers are more aware than ever of the benefits of an automated environment.

And as demand for personalised experiences and spaces grows, the prevalence of automation in both residential and commercial applications is only set to intensify.

“People everywhere are dealing with a much greater volume of information than ever before and they need the capabilities to process it much faster than ever,” noted Ali Hani Fakih, marketing manager of Al Mazroui ICAS, which has a specific business unit dedicated to automated solutions.

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Automation is particularly prevalent when it comes to lighting control. “What we are seeing is more controllability and more intuitive controls,” said Rogier van der Heide, chief design officer of Philips Lighting.

“You can change the colour or the intensity of the light, create scenes across a space or across a building, or orchestrate lighting based on all kinds of stimuli – from weather and the movement of people to the time of day.

“So, we see a lot of solutions in professional lighting now being connected to control systems, resulting in a more holistic approach to the lighting challenge,” van der Heide explained. “That is exciting because it offers the client greater flexibility.”

Room to grow
The growing popularity of interior automation is particularly evident in the hospitality industry, where the uptake of technology is growing rapidly.

People have become accustomed to technology facilitating their everyday lives and demand the same ease when they are travelling. At the same time, hotels are recognising the potential energy – and cost – savings offered by careful, centralised control of lighting and other interior elements.

“When a hotel installs in-room control technology, managing the lighting scenario is of course a main consideration,” noted Warren Edwards of VDA UK, which has developed the Micromaster System, a management system for in-room lighting and temperature controls.

The system uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to interface between a PMS (Property Management System) programme and Building Management Services. It can also be remotely controlled by an iPhone or iPad. Micromaster’s smart switches are also low-voltage, meaning they can be positioned anywhere – even in a bath environment.

One application of the Micromaster System is the capacity to programme lights to operate at specific dimmable settings throughout the course of a 24-hour period.

“For example, between the hours of 10pm and 6am, lights can switch to 30% illumination to promote greater guest relaxation and comfort. Clever programming enables lower light levels that allow for safety but are also less likely to be disturbing at night when, for example, a guest gets out of bed to use the bathroom,” Edwards explained.

But interior automation extends far beyond mere lighting control. AV, home entertainment, air-conditioning, curtains, blinds and security systems can all be integrated and easily controlled. Furthermore, methods of controlling these elements are becoming increasingly sophisticated.