Electronic guardians

Date: 03/04/2005
Source: The Times of India
Author: -

A reliable home security system is like a watchdog that never sleeps and can't be bribed.

In many places today, the night watchman has been replaced by an array of electronic sensors, which detect changes in temperature, broken glass and fluctuations in sound waves. If someone breaks into your home, the sensor informs the main control unit, which sounds the alarm.

When deciding how best to protect your home, it's important to take several things into account. There are many home security systems, ranging from the very basic to the extremely complex. The key to a quality system is to find one that is effective and simple to use.

For decades, we have been wiring houses with motion sensors and computer controls.

Now sophisticated wireless technologies are being exploited for home automation; which will not only keep our homes secure, but also help us manage the PC and the audio system.

By plugging various home devices into Lucent Technologies' HomeStar network, you can set a VCR with the same control used to manage the alarm system.

If you go away for a few days, its touch screen could be used to set the alarm and to programme the audio system to play in the evenings so the house would seem occupied.

You can turn your PC (with webcam) into a video surveillance system too.

A product called ActiveHome lets you manage video surveillance and remote-controlled lighting through software that runs on a PC.

Inix Technology's Secure Smith, which can be accessible over the Internet, is a wireless product comprising a home security system, electrical equipment automation, home surveillance and closed-circuit TV surveillance system.

It does not need a PC to run, and neither does it require any hacking of walls, additional infrastructure or wiring works. Biometrics is also increasingly becoming available for residential door locks and safes.

"The boom in housing and the changing lifestyle of people is propelling the demand of innovative, reliable and quality proven home security products in India," says Jean-Charles Thuard, MD, Legrand (India), which has a range of home security products.

Pramod Rao, MD, Zicom Electronic Security Systems, says, "Security has become the buzzword. People prefer colour cameras, digital recording devices, wireless systems, radio frequency identification tags and access control cards, and automated contraband detection devices.

"Intrusion detection systems based on GSM technology, even allow a user to remotely control and monitor his premises through the cellular phone."

"With the crime rates going up with each passing year, we need to ensure safety of our loved ones even when we are not around," says Harshavardhan Chitale, MD, Honeywell Automation India Ltd, which has an array of security products.

"With increasing incidences of burglary, thefts and murders, most housing societies are looking for dependable security systems," says Manmohan Singh, CEO, Affiance India, which has launched the digital video surveillance system.

No wonder, advances in Information Technology and the development of the Internet are revolutionsing home security systems in India.

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