Geofencing for the smart home with location-based devices

Geofencing makes the smart home even smarter and offers unique experiences. Discover how it works, which devices it integrates with and why it improves safety, consumption and the home experience.

Geofencing is a location-based system capable of identifying mobile devices that enter and exit a virtual perimeter (known as a geofence) thanks to integration with mobile phone data, Wi-Fi and GPS technology.
 

A virtual geographic barrier made by geofencing enables you to create a perimeter around your home to activate home automation functions based on the movement of its inhabitants when their mobile devices are within range.

Using mobile phone data, GPS and Wi-Fi, geofencing software detects the movement of devices that enter a perimeter, and by dialoguing with the smart home systems, enables programmed actions that make the home experience smoother and more secure.
 

By monitoring a person’s distance and direction through their device’s movement in relation to the area configured, geofencing can reduce the number of automation rules; simplifying its use and enabling the creation of complex home automation scenarios.

Gewiss smart home geofencing-compatible devices offer integration with wireless protocols such as Zigbee, to monitor safety, consumption and comfort while offering an unrivalled user-friendly experience. 
 

The best devices on the market communicate with smart wall plates, proximity sensors, localisation systems, thermostats, multimedia systems and IoT platforms such as Google Home, Amazon Alexa and IFTTT, all commanded by voice control and an intuitive smartphone app.
 

By adding presence and movement sensors within the various rooms into the system, it is possible to optimise consumption and increase security by detecting human passage, the opening of doors and windows, and much more.

There are several advantages to integrating location-based automations with home automation systems:
 

• Security – especially when paired with an alarm system proximity sensor, the geofencing system can automatically activate the burglar alarm as well as lock doors and switch on external lights upon exit of the configured perimeter, making the home more secure, even when you travel or live elsewhere.
  

• Energy efficiency – you can automate heating, ventilation and air-conditioning based on when you cross the geofence, whether entering or exiting, and even from a distance of several kilometres, avoiding waste and minimising utilities expenses.

• Experience and customisation – it offers a unique, seamless home experience, easily customisable throughout the year whether for day-to-day or event activity.
  
   

Let’s take a look at some of the many possible scenarios that can be created with geofencing:
 

• Switching on lights, opening the automatic gate and playing music on your return home, creating a welcoming environment for the members of the household.

• Setting temperatures and lighting intensity when the system detects your return home.

• Saving energy, not just by switching off lights and lowering the temperature, but also by deactivating electronic devices when household members are out.

• Automatic activation of presence sensors and other burglar alarm devices when you leave the set perimeter.