The attraction to smart home features is out of far more than just a desire for convenience. Technology has created opportunities for the general public to access advanced security devices and a wide array of features from purely practical to lifestyle, and security-based functions. Real estate companies are also recognizing the growing demand for smart homes in the market as home buyers are now seeking a modified living experience that meets the needs of a fast-paced world.
Believe it or not, the concept of the smart home was sparked by the industrial revolution in the 1900s, and was pioneered by Nikola Tesla. The washing machine, refrigerators, and many of the automated household conveniences that we have grown accustomed to over the decades were the first wave of the smart home revolution. The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology has played a significant role along with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in accelerating the evolution of the smart home.
AI Devices that Make Life Easier Through the Intersection of AI, IoT, and Big Data
If IoT and AI were cars, IoT would be a Honda mini-van, and AI would be a Tesla. Both are technologies, but they have vastly different DNA. IoT connects devices to each other and collects data, while AI decides what to do with the data and takes action. When these two technologies work together, the AI-driven component known as Machine Learning creates connected intelligence that has opened the door to AI-driven home automation.
An example of AI at work in real-time would be a product such as Josh that goes beyond merely taking orders. Josh provides recommendations and will even let you know if you forgot to turn off the lights in one room. Ambi Climate is another excellent example of smart home features that go above and beyond through the power of AI. It uses data (gathered by an IoT function) to determine the appropriate temperature setting for a room.
Big Data technology adds yet another layer of technical complexity to the smart home space. If we add it to the two previous concepts, Big Data would be the cream filling between IoT and AI. Its job is to process massive amounts of incoming data and parse it in order to create smart data. Smart data is what provides personalized, smart home experiences that fit our needs and know our individual preferences.
Smart Home Features That Are on the Rise
Security Smart Home Features
Nest provides a wide variety of security cameras that protect the home through smart technology. You can scare away intruders and even gain the power of Supersight with the vast array of smart home features that it contains. Cameras are just the beginning, and consumers can now purchase smart doorbells, locks, door/window sensors, and even smart smoke alarms to protect their homes.
Lifestyle Smart Home Features
Lifestyle or convenience features are on the rise and growing in popularity. Smart light bulbs and smart kitchen appliances are hugely popular. LG Electronics has a premium line that includes LED touch screen displays, microwave sensor cooking, and even gourmet recipe archives in two of their oven models. Google Home and Amazon’s Echo and Alexa are popular smart home speakers that assist in streaming music, ordering food, or controlling your entire smart home.
Practical Smart Home Features
Practical smart home features to consider would be smart lights, light bulbs, and thermostats. The Pulse Smart Bulb is a smart lighting/entertainment hub hybrid that plays music wirelessly through its hidden speaker. Smart lighting systems can meet security needs as well. The ability to turn on lights from a phone or wireless device before entering a property offers more safety measures along with practicality and convenience.
All of the features mentioned above can be a lifesaver for people with disabilities, including ceiling track systems for assisting with movement, as it creates an opportunity to be far more independent, and provide safety mechanisms for vulnerable populations. An entire arsenal of features are available from smart devices to bridges that connect devices to multiple items of the same nature, hubs, automation services, and smart speakers. Smart home features can even assist with household cleaning such as robotic vacuum cleaners, and access hard to reach areas for those who lack mobility such as smart curtains and blinds.
The smart home revolution has arrived and is continuing to evolve. More and more homes across America are converting to smart features, and research indicates that 63 million American homes will qualify as smart by 2022. Current considerations for expanding the smart home movement are brain centers that control entire homes, learn about residents, make accurate recommendations, and assist with daily health, wellness, and cleanliness. Robotics is also on the rise and looking to be a new wave of smart home features that will be more integrated into our everyday lives.
