Thirty or so years ago when the internet was in its relative infancy, it would have been hard to image the smart homes we have today…appliances connected to the internet, automated tasks and voice activators that allow us to tell our homes what to do.
Which begs the question, if we’ve come this far, how will smart tech shape up in the future? Here are five predictions for the smart home of as we head towards 2050….
Artificial Intelligence
Just as artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning will play an increasing role in the way we shop, it will also play a role in the smart home and in many ways, it’s already making its presence felt.
AI is the basis of intuitive entertainment like suggested playlists or movies, but in the smart home future will extend to encompass your lifestyle preferences with suggestions. For example, your smart home hub may prompt you to turn on the oven because it knows from your online shopping and previous habits you like to eat a roast on Sundays.
Wearable interaction
Arguably one of the next major leaps for the smart home will enable it to tailor your living environment to your personal health and lifestyle needs. Feasibly this means your home will access wearable devices (or something similar) to understand your current physical condition and react accordingly.
For example, your smart watch and smart bed monitor may monitor your sleeping patterns and ascertain you didn’t get much sleep last night. The next night your home may suggest or activate an environment more conducive to sleep – dimming lights, setting a warmer ambient temperature or suggesting more relaxed movies.
Meanwhile, the UK Mirror tips: “For the 36% of people in the UK who only get five hours of sleep per night, the sleeping environment will be enhanced through anti-sound technology, removing unwanted noise, pollen and virus filters. Beds in 2050 will adjust fabric textures, rigidity and temperature for a personalised, well-rested night’s sleep”.
Robotic aids
Robots are already being implemented by retail trailblazers like Amazon, and they may soon find also find gainful employment in the home. We’re not talking Jetsonesque robots here but subtle and streamlined aids.
Consider that this year’s CES already saw a consumer version of a robot-like entertainment system. Keecker is an egg-shaped rolling robot that features a projector, sound system and home monitoring capability.
Meanwhile, The Mirror predicts: “Tomorrow’s generation will spend less time cooking and cleaning, but more time socialising with their full-resolution life-sized 3D friends, who are only virtually present.”
More simulation
From the way we shop to the movies we watch and how we seek inspiration to decorate our homes, at least some of the future of the smart home will fall to virtual reality (VR).
This ability to feel as if we are genuinely experiencing something will mean a host of activities we left the house for will now take place at home. Want to try on an outfit? Just use virtual reality. Want to experience a foreign land? Virtual travel enthusiastically awaits. Or do you wish to see what that couch in that catalogue would like in your home? VR and augmented reality are ready and willing to assist.
Different approach to decoration
Meanwhile when it comes to decorating your home, there could be major innovations in furnishings and home décor. The Mirror tips: “By 2050, fabrics will have the ability to change appearance, colours, patterns and textures enabled by intrinsic smart yarns.
“Additionally, active contact lenses worn in the home will allow people to change their décor frequently, a simply decorated room could look elaborate and luxurious – all this combined will make redecorating an easy everyday option.”
Futurologist Dr Ian Pearson BSc further explains: “Furnishings will often adapt to our body shapes to make us perfectly comfy. Visitors’ personal profiles will be used to adapt furniture to them too”.
The truth is some of these predictions will hit the mark and some will miss when it comes to the home of 2050, just like the outlandish futuristic films of the 1960s prove somewhat off-base in 2017.
Regardless, the home of 2050 will be more automated, more intrinsically intelligent and cater more to our individual needs as smart home technology continues its rapid evolution.
About Lera
Lera Smart Home Solutions is a leading installer of smart home technology in the greater Sydney region. Our team boasts over 20 years’ experience in IT networking, programming and the electrical industry.
We have sourced the most reliable and cost efficient solutions from around the world to provide the very best in smart home solutions, and work with our clients to understand their needs.
You can learn more about transforming your house into a smart home here, or contact us directly for further advice.
