As the smart home revolution moves beyond its early buzz, Homes & Buildings Magazine catches up with JUBIN THOMAS, Head of Residential MDU at Lutron GL Sales & Services, to understand how innovation, adaptability, and a deep focus on user experience are reshaping home automation in India. In this exclusive conversation, Thomas shares Lutron’s approach to integrating sustainability, scalability, and resilience into modern Indian homes — and how the brand is engineering a future where technology blends invisibly into daily life.
Smart Homes: From Buzzwords to Everyday Reality
Over the last few years, the Indian market has matured considerably. Customers are not only aware of automation but are also recognising the importance of quality. There was a
time when early adopters were burned by low-grade products, often having to rip them out after installation. But as they experienced better solutions, word-of-mouth began to drive a more discerning market. Today, established brands like Lutron have benefitted from this evolution — trust and quality have become the currency.
Designing for India’s Housing Diversity
India’s housing landscape is incredibly varied — from penthouses in urban high-rises to sprawling farmhouses. At Lutron, we’ve developed a comprehensive portfolio with systems
like HomeWorks and RadioRA 2 Select to cater to every kind of home, whether it’s a new build or a renovation. HomeWorks, with its hybrid wiredwireless architecture, is perfect for new luxury constructions. RadioRA 2 Select, on the other hand, is a modular, wireless solution ideal for renovations and apartments, offering seamless scalability without expensive civil work. We’ve even innovated extensively in BUILDING SMARTER, GREENER HOMES WITH LUTRON As the smart home revolution moves beyond its early buzz, Homes & Buildings Magazine catches up with JUBIN THOMAS, Head of Residential MDU at Lutron GL Sales & Services, to understand how innovation, adaptability, and a deep focus on user experience are reshaping home automation in India. In this exclusive conversation, Thomas shares Lutron’s approach to integrating sustainability, scalability, and resilience into modern Indian homes — and how the brand is engineering a future where technology blends invisibly into daily life. 93 window treatments — from covering 30-ft tall windows in mansions to compact shading solutions for regular apartments — ensuring no architectural ambition is out of reach.
Localising Innovation for India
A great example is our integration of ceiling fan control into our automation systems. In India, even air-conditioned homes continue to rely on ceiling fans — a stark contrast to markets abroad. Recognising this, we developed fan speed controllers that integrate seamlessly with our lighting controls, offering users a unified aesthetic and operational experience across all devices in the home.
End-to-End vs Modular Automation
While integrated solutions are gaining traction among premium consumers, modular adoption remains dominant for a large segment, especially in mid-market housing. Our systems are designed to scale — you can start by automating a single room with RadioRA 2 Select and expand across the home over time without disruption. It’s about providing a flexible growth path aligned with evolving needs.
Making Smart Homes More Accessible
We don’t believe sustainability and smart living should be exclusive. Our systems are engineered to be modular and cost-effective. For instance, homeowners can decide whether to control every light individually or group them, impacting the overall investment without sacrificing quality. Moreover, with feature-packed devices like the RA2 Select repeater,
customers can access lighting, HVAC, and security controls from their smartphones, all at an approachable price point — making smart living accessible beyond luxury projects.
Voice, AI, and Multilingual India
We’ve forged official partnerships with Apple, Amazon, and Google, allowing seamless integration with their platforms, including voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. The linguistic diversity is largely addressed by these platforms, enabling our users to interact naturally in their preferred languages — a critical evolution for India’s multilingual fabric.
Sustainability in Action
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Products like EcoJoy showers and faucets, thermostatic mixers, and automated shading systems help optimise water and
energy usage without compromising user comfort. We design for conservation — from eliminating unnecessary energy load to smart load balancing. It’s not just about making homes smarter; it’s about making them greener, one switch at a time.
Automation Without Breaking Walls
RadioRA 2 Select was engineered precisely with such challenges in mind. It provides a highly reliable, wireless solution that can be deployed without costly rewiring or structural interventions. Homeowners can transition to smarter living without tearing down walls — preserving both architecture and budget.
Life After Handover: Building Long-Term Trust
We take post-handover service seriously. Our ecosystem offers continuous adaptability, upgrades, and remote maintenance support, ensuring homeowners enjoy a worryfree experience long after possession. Our dealer networks and service frameworks are designed not just to sell, but to nurture — ensuring systems stay relevant and efficient over time.
The Developer’s Advantage
Ideally, automation planning should begin at the conceptual stage itself. Early engagement allows us to offer holistic, cost-effective solutions tailored to the project’s design philosophy. We also equip developers by installing complete automation setups in show flats, allowing buyers to experience the Lutron advantage firsthand. Whether it’s a luxury villa or a 2BHK in a premium township, we curate packages that drive better sales velocity for developers and a superior living experience for homeowners.
Resilient by Design
Reliability is non-negotiable for us. Our products are tested to thrive under diverse conditions — whether it’s the coastal humidity of Mumbai, the dry heat of Rajasthan, or fluctuating power conditions in remote areas. Even our fabrics for roller shades are designed to be antimicrobial, fire-retardant, and humidity-resistant.
