After computers and smartphones, we are speedily moving towards the IOT era. IOT mean Internet of Things. It adds 'smart' technology to various appliances and products. The possibilities of IOT devices are endless. For example, a cookie jar that auto-detects when it's getting empty, places order at the connected grocery store, and gets the cookies home-delivered. Smart jewelry that can send SOS alerts and location details to phone contacts. Shoes that can guide visually-impaired people to their selected destination. Believe it or not, the examples I've mentioned have all been already invented.
I recently had the opportunity to try out one such IOT based automation solution. These are the smart plugs by Oakter. These plugs connect to a central hub over Wi-Fi or 3G. Once the the set-up is complete, users can control these smart plugs using the Oakter app on their phone.
My experience with the Oakter smart plugs so far:
Setting up Oakter Smart Plugs:
The Oakter kit that I got contained the central hub, a 6 AMP leaf (plug) and a 16 AMP leaf. Besides these, Oakter also has a 25 AMP leaf and a wireless switchboard called Touch Leaf. The booklet in the kit had clear description of the set-up process. It also contained the Hub ID and temporary username and password.
The hub needs to be connected with a power supply. The Plugs can be inserted in sockets as usual plugs. To use them, you need to download the Oakter App and set it up using the ID and password provided. Once you add to it your email ID and new password, these become your login credentials. The same credentials can be used by upto five different users. This is useful as it will allow several members of the family or staff to operate the plugs.
I used Wi-Fi to set-up the hub. You first need to connect your smartphone to your Wi-Fi. Then you connect to the Oakter Hub's Wi-Fi. It will be visible in the available Wi-Fi list of your phone. This needs to be done only once. After that, the hub connects to the home or office Wi-Fi automatically. If it gets disconnected, it will take several minutes to reconnect.
Features of Oakter Smart Plugs:
Once the set-up is complete and you have installed the plugs where you want to use them, you can operate them remotely. You can switch your devices on or off using the Oakter app on your smartphone. The app also allows users to set the Auto-Off timer. Best of all, you can use it to schedule the On and Off time of the plugs. For example, if you are using the smart plug for your geyser. You can set it to automatically switch on and off at set time.
Necessary Conditions:
To use these smart plugs, you need to have a Wi-Fi at your place, or a 3G SIM inserted in the hub. When you insert the plug at a plug point, you need to keep the original power switch on. These plugs won't work if you have manually cut out the power supply. The hub needs to be plugged in at all times. You need to have an Android or iOS device to use the Oakter app.
Oakter Smart Plugs Review:
I've been using the smart plugs for over a week now. I've found them very easy and convenient to use. The initial set-up process took about five minutes. Overall, the experience has been smooth so far. The plugs are quick to respond to the app's commands. The timer and the schedule features work perfectly. If any command fails (if necessary conditions are not met), a push notification on the phone alerts the user about it. I have used these plugs only for a few days yet, so I can't say anything about the durability. But their quality and finish looks good.
I haven't noticed any significant battery drain on my phone because of the Oakter app. It keeps on logging out though. Every time I need to use it, I have to login again.
Overall, Oakter smart plugs seem like an excellent IOT based automation solution. You can use them to automate your TV, your geyser, your washing machine, cooler, mobile chargers etc. And all these 'non-smart' devices will become smart and will switch on and off automatically, as you command them to.
You can check out the Oakter IOT based automation solutions at: http://oakter.com/index.php
