Mobile Phone Enabled Smart Home Automation Using GSM Call Activation with Real-Time WhatsApp and LCD Monitoring

Advancement in technology has led to the development of more secure, convenient, and energy-efficient living environments.This paper presents a smart home system that is enabled via the use of a mobile phone.The proposed system utilizes call-based functionality of the mobile device to remotely access, control, and operate appliances, eliminating the need for traditional physical controls.At the heart of the smart home system architecture is a PIC18F4620 microcontroller.Other components employed are a GSM module, WhatsApp Application Programming Interface (API), and liquid crystal display (LCD) unit.The integration of these three functionalities: call, WhatsApp messaging, and real-time display, creates a hybrid communication and reliable control system for device automation.User interaction with the system is realized through a subscribed mobile telephone line.Upon the receipt of a call, the microcontroller processes the caller ID for identification.When the caller is an authorized user, issued commands are interpreted, and actuation of the corresponding connected devices through relays or other control mechanisms follows.If the caller ID is unauthorized, no response is received from the system.Real-time updates on the status of the controlled devices are sent via WhatsApp message to the user's registered number, providing increased user engagement and situational awareness.Evaluation results show that the device average response time is 10 seconds, while WhatsApp notification takes approximately 22 seconds.These indicate the developed system is a practical and efficient solution for modern home management.