These consist of devices fitted throughout the home to perform the automation actions.  A typical system incorporates both professional modules (concealed in a wall and wired to a switch-plate to control a light), as well as well as D.I.Y devices (plugged in between a power-point and a lamp or appliance). 

The range of home automation devices varies, depending on the protocol used (such as X10 & A10, C-Bus, UPB, Z-Wave and others).  If you're interested in an easy-to-use wireless solution (ie: no need to run wires all around your home between each home automation device), then check out the X10 products on this website.  If you're interested in how X10 works, click here.

A PC (or Personal Computer) is required to house the brains of the system - the software.  The PC should be solely dedicated to home automation - though it may perform some related functionality such as running Windows Media Center, to act as the media controller for the living room.  The PC should boast decent specifications (eg: at least a P4, with 500MB RAM), contain little amount of applications, be running 24x7, and positioned where adequate venting is provided.  Peripheral devices may also be installed on the PC for any functionality supported by the software - such as a modem for telephone integration.

There's no need to ever access the PC, so it can be housed away from sight, but if you choose to store it in the living room to double as your media centre, then a stylish case may be worth investing into.  One example brand we'd recommend is silverstone cases.

This is a special device that interfaces between the PC and the home automation protocol.  It usually consists of two connections - one plugs into the PC (such as the USB port), and the other into the home automation protocol's interface (eg: if using X10, then the interface device simply plugs into a powerpoint).  The PC interface talks the language of both the PC and the home automation protocol.

To view an X10 compatible 'PC Interface Device', click here.

One of more software applications serve as the intelligence of the system.  The recommended configuration by Future Touch includes HAL2000 and MyServant.  HAL2000 performs several back-end the communication with the PC-interface device and the modem, voice recognition, voice responses, etc.  MyServant performs extended back-end functionality (such as the lighting logic, interfacing to client connections, data retrieval), as well as providing the user-interface on a touch screen.

To learn more about HAL2000 and MyServant, click here. 

The final module is the interacting with the users.  Visual control is achieved through computer-monitors or touch screens (such as LG's 1510BF model).  Audible interaction is achieved via microphones and speakers.  What's more, if the PC is equipped with internet ability, then interaction can even be accomplished through remote access (eg: MyServant's interface can be run from your work, to securely control your home over the web).

An easy way of achieving audible control around the home is to use a HALModem, that plugs into the PC and connects to the phone line.  Then you can simply pickup a phone, press # and give a command.  To view the HALModem product, click here.