In Episode 16, Mark Goode introduced us to the basics of smart lighting for the home. Now in Episode 18, he goes further into the use of smart technology, cautioning that it is more complex to set up than the manufacturers would have us believe. Mark leads us through a history of the development of this technology, as shown on the graph below. In his discussion, he explains how manufacturers have used Zigbee, wi-fi and bluetooth to enable customers to control devices in their homes. He describes the use of intelligent speakers and natural language processing. Mark also touches on the pros and cons of the three major manufacturers, as well as the newer radio wave form protocal called “Thread,” which works across all three platforms. Finally, he gives us an idea of what the future of smart homes will be.