Smart Hotels

A Smart Home is a system where a number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices are linked together via a central server and can be remotely controlled to provide smarter and more efficient experiences. Various smart devices and systems already exist in the market and have become more common in households. However, these implementations have not yet been applied to large-scale commercial use. This is because these smart systems are often outside of a feasible price range and lack full support for devices that don’t connect to a wireless network. The goal of our project is to correct these faults by developing an affordable, all-encompassing smart system for implementation in hotels. Hotels are ideal for a system like this, as multiple rooms and buildings can be controlled from the same server, while standardizing equipment across chains and making our product easier to adapt to new technologies. Hotels will also have the opportunity to select which IoT devices they need, in order to customize their system for optimal price, and functionality.

Project Basic Design

iOS Application

The iOS applications is the main point of contact for the end user. It is designed with an easy to use interface that is capable of controlling various devices, as well as making requests.

The application also dynamically adapts to the guest’s room in order to accommodate the specific devices unique to each hotel room. The main concerns addressed with our product are the speed of alterations made to the room and ease of use for the users.

Raspberry Pi & Server

The Server and Raspberry Pi work in tandem to delineate the operations within the room. The Raspberry Pi run a python script to interpret JSON Objects and contact the various peripherals in the room. Each hotel room is controlled by a single Raspberry Pi. When a request is made the server communicates with the database to verify room information and then passes the message to the correct room’s Raspberry Pi.

Management Application

The management application allows for more control over the hotel by allowing hotel management staff to view user requests and guest information by room. The  database and server update information rapidly and consistently to notify the management of any new information.

Additionally, the application can update requests as completed or in progress to keep track of hotel operations efficiently.

Prototype

We built a simple prototype for demo day to show off our mobile app, and how guests can control lights, the air conditioning, and the security camera in different rooms.

Current Features

• Modular Room Design
• Flexible Room Devices/Peripherals
• Management Control through Web Application
• Mobile Control of System from iOS application
• Transaction Logs of User Requests
• Simple Convenient Interface for Room Control
• Web Hosted Server
• Room Service Requests

Future Features

• Room Reset Capabilities
• Increase Server Modularity
• Increase Peripheral Product Range
• Android Support
• Voice Recognition Support
• Integrated Payment System
• Employment Management System