Smart home technology is slowly becoming more and more prevalent; what seemed like a distant- if impossible concept from Disney movies like Smart House is not becoming a reality. Think about shows like Black Mirror and their depiction of smart home technology; some of it is already being created, and you can think of movies like Pod Generation, where smart home tech is now able to have your coffee and toast to you as soon as you wake up.
Currently, smart home coffee makers and smart home toasters are already being sold, and they can easily hook up to your advice whether you own an Alexa, Apple Home device, or even Google. This isn’t going anywhere, and it’s here to stay. While it’s up to you whether you want smart home tech or not, AI is becoming far more prevalent when it comes to all of this. It’s essentially going to revolutionize smart tech more and more.
Sure, there are some major concerns right now, such as privacy, something that’s entirely understandable (especially with all of this being a gray area at the moment), but with that said, more people are going to be embracing smart home tech, and more homes are going to have this integrated and that includes newly built ones. So, with all of that said, AI isn’t going anywhere, and it can absolutely transform your life for the better. So, here’s what you need to know!
Smart Home Automation
One of the most significant ways AI is changing our homes is through smart home automation. AI-powered devices such as smart thermostats, lights, and locks are becoming common, allowing homeowners to control various aspects of their homes remotely. These systems can learn your preferences and adapt to your needs, making your home more energy-efficient and convenient. If you think about it, it’s not just standard home appliances either; it’s now getting to the point where you’re able to know and see how much power you’re getting from your solar panels.
The same can be said for your plumbing and how well that’s all going, too. But in general, just knowing things you didn’t know before and having control of things you didn’t have control before is one of the biggest reasons why people want smart home tech. Sure, having your house tell you the news while you sip away on coffee that was made for you automatically, but these are just little conveniences, but it’s not 100% what smart home tech is about.
What smart home tech is really about is knowing what’s happening in your home and knowing how you can control it. Did you forget to turn off the heat before leaving the house? Well, you can do it from your phone. Are you worried about potential leaks? Well, instead of calling a plumber or inspecting every pipe, you are going to be able to see this all for yourself.
Entertainment the Way You Want
Everything is basically personalised for you with smart home tech; those little conveniences aren’t needed, but don’t they make home living all the easier? Basically, AI has also revolutionised the way everyone consumes entertainment at home. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify use AI algorithms to recommend content based on your viewing and listening history. Technically, YouTube does it, too, and this isn’t 100% smart home technology, but it’s AI technology.
But overall, these recommendations help you discover new movies, TV shows, and music that align with your tastes, creating a more personalized entertainment experience. But in terms of smart home tech, you’re able to say “turn up the volume,” “turn off lights,” “change channel,” and “next in the queue,” all while being in the comfort of your couch. You don’t need a remote, you don’t have to get up, you can just be there, comfortable, and consume whatever entertainment you’re after.
More Safety in Your Home
While there are ring doorbells and cameras throughout the house that are meant to increase security, to a degree, they can, and to another degree, they aren’t super effective due to the fact that some people hack into cameras for mal-intent. But take this account for now: AI security systems. So, when it comes to AI security systems, it’s nowhere near as basic as those old models where the ones where you would put in a 4-digit passcode into the keypad and that be that.
Nowadays, you can expect AI-powered cameras and sensors to detect unusual activity and send alerts to your smartphone. Facial recognition technology can recognise family members and trusted guests, allowing for convenient access control. Moreover, these systems can learn patterns of activity and adapt to your routines, providing a higher level of security and peace of mind. The old stuff just doesn’t cut it, and this is far better.
Energy Efficiency
So, one major reason (other than privacy) that so many people skip out on smart home tech is the fact that they think it’s wasting energy or will make their energy bill higher. It’s not hard to see why this is the case: more tech equals higher power bills. But as you probably already know, this is further from the case. New tech is almost always more energy efficient than something older; whether it’s smart home tech or not, that’s a fact.
But when it comes to strictly smart appliances, they can also be able to focus on energy management systems. These can analyse data from sensors and weather forecasts to optimise energy usage. For instance, it’s able to automatically turn off the heat once it reaches a certain temperature in the house. Another example would be your AI-enabled washing machine, which can delay a cycle if it detects peak electricity rates, helping you save on your energy bill. Additionally, AI can monitor and control your home’s lighting, heating, and cooling systems to help minimise energy wastage.
There’s the Sake of Convenience
There’s nothing wrong with opening up your own curtains, but there’s something luxurious about them opening up automatically when your alarm goes off, right? The idea of not having to brew your coffee, but it’s made for you at the time each day you want it. Being able to just say “turn off the lights” when you’re lying in bed, all of this is fantastic and almost reminiscent of a hotel.
But with that said, a huge reason why AI can transform your life is the convenience it offers. These small things make you feel like you’re the king or queen of your own castle; you have control, you’re able to feel pampered, and that’s what home life should be: being able to go to your personal sanctuary and unwind.
Health and Wellbeing
This isn’t solely smart home, but smart tech and general AI technology do have a strong focus on helping health and wellbeing rather than going against it. Nowadays, there are AI apps that aren’t meant to replace a therapist, but they are meant to help. The same can be said for smart home monitors, smart watches, smart scales, and so on.
Even smart health monitors can track vital signs, remind you to take medication, and even offer personalized fitness recommendations. AI can also analyse data from sensors to assess air quality, humidity levels, and more, ensuring a healthy living environment.
At the end of the day, smart home tech- particularly AI smart home tech is just flat-out incredible, and it’s just simply not going anywhere. You can absolutely expect this to be here to stay, and it’s going to completely transform your home and your home life for the better.
