The spark for innovation comes in many different ways and in many different delivery mechanisms.  I did a major upgrade to my home automation system last night with the guys over at Audio Video Intelligence and it occurred to me that home automation is the next GPS.  I remember when I first bought my Jeep 7 years ago and had the radio changed.  The sales person told me, "you've got to add GPS/NAV, soon everyone will have it and it will be a must."  I thought they were crazy but being the early adopter that I am I bought it anyways.  Here we are 7 years later and GPS is everywhere and in everything from the iPhone, Android and Blackberry platforms, to built into cars from luxury to economy models.  Most people will say, as I once did, "Why do I need home automation?"  It seems like with all innovation, this is the fundamental question. 

At New Marketing Labs, we get that question when we work with companies to implement new media strategies.  "Why do I need that innovation?"  "Why new media versus traditional media?"  I submit that these questions about innovation all share a common thread.  Look at how GPS changed the world using maps.  It is my belief that home automation will change your home life in the same way GPS changed how we get to where we need to go.  New forms of marketing such as social media tools are having the same impact on how we market and communicate with our prospects and customers.  Below I share how I'm using automation to enhance my home life experience as well as provide you with some examples on how this technology can be used.

My home automation system is powered by the Control4 HC-500, which has brought plug and play to home automation.  Part of the magic is that it works with the devices over a wireless network known as ZigBee.  The nice thing about this protocol is that the devices all act as repeaters within the network allowing you to expand the size of the network with virtually no limits, and especially no running wires. 

So how do I use it?  Since I had my first remote controlled dimmer, I knew one day this type of product would be a must.  From any web browser or from the slick iPhone app, I can:

• Place my outdoor lights on a timing sequence.
• Randomize my indoor lights to make it appear that someone is home when I am away.
  
• Adjust or program my thermostats.
• Control my TV's.
• If you travel as much as I do, it's always happens at the worst time.  You are in an important meeting with a client, and your mother-in-law is with your kids and can't put on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Now you can play a movie for my kids, change the channel, change the volume and see what they are watching.
• Arm or disarm my alarm system.
• View my IP cameras. 
  
  

The interesting about the upgrade is they have upgraded to the ZigBee Pro standard which allows you to use third party devices in you network.  The third party devices give you incredible flexibility.  Examples are:
 

• Ever have one of your kids wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.  You hear that loud smash.
• Now imagine, a small battery operated motion detector under their bed.  If it senses movement from 9 pm to 4 am, it will automatically put the lights on it their room, the hall and the bathroom at 50%.  Then after 5 minutes shut them all off.
  
• Place a water sensor in your basement by your water tank.  If it leaks, you can have the Control4 system send you an SMS text, and call the fire department. 
• Your trip gets extended: Adjust your thermostats to keep the heat down until you get home. 
  
• Create a lighting pattern, so when your family members come home it turns the lights on in the driveway, the garage, the mud room and turns on their favorite music. 
  
  

Innovation seems to creep out of the strangest places.  Then one day everyone is changing the way they work or live and they wonder "where did that come from?" 

Over the next year, I believe we will see a spike in the delivery of what was once third circle technology (that for early adopters only), to the consumer.  A great example is Comcast's Fancast site (client) which has taken the idea SlingBox made popular of watching your TV anywhere, and expanded it to now allow you access to all of your paid content anywhere via a browser.  You don't even need any new hardware! 

Stay tuned. Greater bandwidth, video over the net, automation, and constant connectivity will be big influencers in 2010. 

What innovations are surprising to you and do you think will influence us in 2010?