We often think of PropTech as being about buying and selling, but it’s also fundamentally changing how we live in our homes. Specifically, how Internet of Things (IoT) devices are turning ordinary Indian houses into genuinely smart homes.
I was visiting my cousin, Rishi, in his new apartment in Whitefield, Bangalore. Rishi is a classic busy professional—always traveling, always on calls, and honestly, a little scatterbrained.
When I arrived, he was rushing to catch a flight. “Make yourself comfortable,” he yelled, “The key is under the mat!”
I walked in and noticed something strange. The AC was already at a perfect 24°C, and the curtains were drawn to block the afternoon sun. “Did you forget to turn them off?” I asked.
Rishi just smiled and pulled out his phone. “Nope. My apartment knows when I’m coming and going.”
The ‘Set it and Forget it’ Life
He explained that his entire home runs on a central, connected platform. This system wasn’t just a fancy Alexa setup; it was integrated into the building itself.
- Energy Saver: As soon as his cab crossed the 5-kilometer mark from the building, his smart meter realized his flight was delayed. It automatically shifted the main AC unit into “eco-sleep” mode to save electricity.
- Security: He showed me his phone—a notification from the smart lock that I had just used the temporary guest code, allowing him to track my entry without me using a physical key.
- Water Management: He even had a sensor in his bathroom that tracked his average shower length. “The complex has water conservation goals,” he told me. “The app nudges me if I’m being a water hog.”
Rishi’s “smart home” wasn’t about flashing lights; it was about efficiency and security. IoT in Indian real estate is solving real, everyday problems, from managing soaring electricity bills in the summer heat to securing a family’s safety in a bustling urban environment.
It allows a forgetful, busy guy like Rishi to save money and energy without ever having to think about it.
It’s clear: the future of Indian living isn’t just ‘luxurious’; it’s ‘automated, efficient, and brilliantly clever.’ And that, my friends, is a story worth sharing.