Internet of Things-aided Smart Grid: Technologies, Architectures, Applications, Prototypes, and Future Research Directions

Traditional power grids are being transformed into Smart Grids (SGs) to address the issues in existing power system due to uni-directional information flow, energy wastage, growing energy demand, reliability and security. SGs offer bi-directional energy flow between service providers and consumers, involving power generation, transmission, distribution and utilization systems. SGs employ various devices for the monitoring, analysis and control of the grid, deployed at power plants, distribution centers and in consumers' premises in a very large number. Hence, an SG requires connectivity, automation and the tracking of such devices. This is achieved with the help of Internet of Things (IoT). IoT helps SG systems to support various network functions throughout the generation, transmission, distribution and consumption of energy by incorporating IoT devices (such as sensors, actuators and smart meters), as well as by providing the connectivity, automation and tracking for such devices. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey on IoT-aided SG systems, which includes the existing architectures, applications and prototypes of IoT-aided SG systems. This survey also highlights the open issues, challenges and future research directions for IoT-aided SG systems

Open-Source, Open-Architecture SoftwarePlatform for Plug-InElectric Vehicle SmartCharging in California

This interdisciplinary eXtensible Building Operating System–Vehicles project focuses on controlling plug-in electric vehicle charging at residential and small commercial settings using a novel and flexible open-source, open-architecture charge communication and control platform. The platform provides smart charging functionalities and benefits to the utility, homes, and businesses.This project investigates four important areas of vehicle-grid integration research, integrating technical as well as social and behavioral dimensions: smart charging user needs assessment, advanced load control platform development and testing, smart charging impacts, benefits to the power grid, and smart charging ratepayer benefits

Overcoming barriers and increasing independence: service robots for elderly and disabled people

This paper discusses the potential for service robots to overcome barriers and increase independence of elderly and disabled people. It includes a brief overview of the existing uses of service robots by disabled and elderly people and advances in technology which will make new uses possible and provides suggestions for some of these new applications. The paper also considers the design and other conditions to be met for user acceptance. It also discusses the complementarity of assistive service robots and personal assistance and considers the types of applications and users for which service robots are and are not suitable

A VOICE CONTROLLED HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEM

Home automation is the process of making the home appliances operate on the voice command or the movement. For the current research work the voice-controlled home automation is considered. In the current research work the main objective is to develop a voice-controlled home automation system. The appliances like light, fan and door have been considered for making them operate on voice command. For developing the project the ESP 8266 wifi module is considered along with servo motor, toy motor, light and fan. All of the appliances are configured by using the Blynk application and IFTTT server. Finally, Arduino IDE is used configure all of the devices and to sketch the code to the WIFI module to let the appliances run from a mobile device through google assistant

Universal Mobile Application Development (UMAD) On Home Automation

At present scenario the market is flooded with many cell phones compatibility issues intended with Operating System and hardware's, so the applications are not made in a manner to suite large mass. Till now the applications made were targeted to a particular Operating System only which restricted there usability. With the limitations of above in mind there is a need of a universal mobile application development (UMAD) platform. So that an application can be developed in a universal XML format which can be easily ported to any other mobile devices.  This paper presents the design and implementation of the Home automation system on one of the Operating System and creation of a unique XML document that can be placed over the server which can be adapted by any other mobile device without any platform issues. The XML format which controls the layout of the screen remains common, only the part which needs to be coded on every platform is the downloading of the XML file from the server and parsing it. This reduces a lot of coding effort as the design part is coded only once, and the same file can be used by every other platform. We have taken Home Automation system as our application, in which all the household devices such as Bulb, Fan, AC etc. all are controlled by a smartphone which is connected to a server containing the XML file via an internet connection. Every change made by the user on the smartphone affects the data in the XML file of server, which thus helps in continuous updating of data and all other users get an updated Graphical User Interface. We have taken Home Automation as one of our application, but the same principle can be implemented in any other applications like Mobile Themes, Games etc. Keywords: Android, Hardware Modulator, Home Automation, iOS, UMAD, Universal Mobile Application, XML

Experimental Autonomous Car Model with safety sensor in Wireless Network

Autonomous vehicles are vehicles equipped with autonomous control systems that allow certain aspects of the control functions important for safe traffic to be controlled by the vehicle itself. At the same time, these cars are able to move from point A to point B separately in a defined environment and decide independently and adapt to unknown situations and a changing environment. These actions are autonomous cars capable of performing with minimal or no interference from the driver. This article is aimed at verifying the communication capabilities with data from safety sensors mounted on autonomous car between a control unit and car