Smart living, small scale: design, implementation, and evaluation of a miniature smart home system
Al-Rufaye, Ahmed; Fernandes, Manuel (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052817229
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052817229
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this thesis was to demonstrate the practicality, efficiency, and effectiveness of a smart home on a small scale by presenting a detailed report alongside a functional prototype.
The prototype model brings the concept to life, helping bridge the gap between theory and real-world use.
The mock-up design process was carried out using TinkerCAD as a 3D modelling tool, Ultimaker Cura for slicing and printing of the prototype parts, and 3D printers at Savonia University to print out the physical components. With these tools the team collaborated to create the most efficient design. The code for the prototype was developed and uploaded using Arduino IDE, and Node-RED’s visual flow editor was used to build and deploy a user-friendly, web-based control dashboard. This interface setup allowed the team to rapidly develop, test, and tweak the code that was implemented.
Alongside the technical development, the report also describes the full design and build process of the prototype, highlighting some of the challenges the team ran into and how they were solved along the way. Some background research on smart home technologies is included, covering key ideas, current trends, and how these systems are becoming part of everyday life. A few articles from IEEE were also reviewed and summarized to help provide a clearer picture of what smart homes are and why they are so important in today’s world.
The thesis prototype successfully showcased key features of a smart home system, such as automation, remote control, and sensor integration. This proves that even on a small scale, smart home systems prove to be useful and helpful in a variety of different situations, highlighting its potential for everyday use and further development.
The prototype model brings the concept to life, helping bridge the gap between theory and real-world use.
The mock-up design process was carried out using TinkerCAD as a 3D modelling tool, Ultimaker Cura for slicing and printing of the prototype parts, and 3D printers at Savonia University to print out the physical components. With these tools the team collaborated to create the most efficient design. The code for the prototype was developed and uploaded using Arduino IDE, and Node-RED’s visual flow editor was used to build and deploy a user-friendly, web-based control dashboard. This interface setup allowed the team to rapidly develop, test, and tweak the code that was implemented.
Alongside the technical development, the report also describes the full design and build process of the prototype, highlighting some of the challenges the team ran into and how they were solved along the way. Some background research on smart home technologies is included, covering key ideas, current trends, and how these systems are becoming part of everyday life. A few articles from IEEE were also reviewed and summarized to help provide a clearer picture of what smart homes are and why they are so important in today’s world.
The thesis prototype successfully showcased key features of a smart home system, such as automation, remote control, and sensor integration. This proves that even on a small scale, smart home systems prove to be useful and helpful in a variety of different situations, highlighting its potential for everyday use and further development.