Definition
"A house cannot be smart, although certain products and solutions can be". We rather talk about intelligence that can be achieved when products are connected together. In the Netherlands and Belgium the term domotica is used to indicate the same. Maybe the word has been originated in France, where the first experiences with "domotique" were achieved in the early nineties. Domotique or domotics is a contraction from the Latin word "domus" (= home, house) and telematics. In the following the term smart homes is used instead of domotics.
The various terms lead to confusion amongst the customers. Moreover, in the various countries a diversity of opinions exists concerning the concept of smart homes. Therefore, the following definition has been formulated: Smart home technology is the integration of technologies and services, applied to homes, flats, apartments, houses and small buildings with the purpose of automating them and obtaining and increase safety & security, comfort, communication, and technical management.