From exposure to advertising to watching movies, consumers have been told that the future will be more convenient for them. Over the years on the screen we have watched futuristic scenes people remotely controlling the washing machine while having a snack with their friends or how a cup of hot coffee was awaiting in the kitchen before a suave executive went to work. Finally fiction is becoming reality. Much if what we have been seeing on screen is just the tip of the iceberg compared to what smart home technology has to offer to make our lives easier.
1. Voice Control
2018’s Mobile World Congress was all about voice activation and smart home connected devices according to PC Mag. It is not surprising as all major technology players are launching voice activation products combined with artificial intelligence to bridge the gaps between technology and human interaction. In the field of safety for seniors, the applications of voice can facilitate the elderly to use technology in a more seamless way. In terms of home security, voice assistant can help you manage anything from your alarm to power consumption, controlling the lighting while you are away just by saying a few words.
2. Focus on Surveillance
As surveillance has gained importance to combat crime, the designers and builders of the smart home technology have focused on providing appliances to offer a wide spectrum of products and integrated platforms to protect consumers, their families and their private property. Some manufacturers are already offering end-to-end products that also include services and technical assistance as a way to increase their growth while the consumer gets a complete service all at once.
3. Ambient Assisted Living
AAL technology supports the independence and quality of life of seniors. The aging population trend along Europe, North America and Japan overall has motivated the accelerated development of these technologies. The main aims are twofold: reduce the cost of elder care and avoid drastic injury and illness. “The seamless nature of smart home technology, and the wide range of sensors, from water and moisture meters, to smoke alarms and motion detectors can easily serve dual-purpose in an AAL environment” according to IoTGN are some of the examples of how technology innovation can aid health and well-being in aged people.
4. Convenience
A system that connects and centralizes all your home’s devices and content and automating its control is already here. However it is quite complex. Choosing the right provider –one that creates a seamlessly integrated ecosystem of smart devices– allows consumers to remotely control their systems of security, electricity, lights, sound, climate, etc. with a simple user experience. This ideal is likely to become a standard feature in homes as consumers begin to understand the benefits and integration becomes simpler.
5. Cost Reduction
There is a lot of talk surrounding smart home products’ potential to reduce your power consumption and reduce one’s energy bill. However, there are other ways in which a smart home can realize a return on investment and long term financial benefit for consumers. For example, both energy providers and insurers are beginning to incentivize customers by encouraging installation of certain power saving technologies and smart sensors that can reduce energy production costs for the former and payouts from water and fire damage in the case of the latter.
A study published by Statista early this year indicates that the percentage of satisfaction among the US’ smart home consumers along 2017 was pretty high. The 44% declared to be highly satisfied and a further 48% of the consumers consulted affirmed to be rather satisfied with their home automation systems. Despite there is still a path to be walked until the smart home technology explodes to reach its potential, manufactures, service providers and consumers altogether might have found the balance that benefits all of them for the first time.
