As time and technology progressed, our lifestyles have evolved to become increasingly integrated with technological advancements that can make managing our daily routines much easier, a prime example being smart homes.
Catching speed in the early 2000s, smart homes have gradually become popular, fueled by the integration of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence.
Today, smart homes have evolved greatly, allowing homeowners an unmatched level of convenience, security, and energy efficiency by providing access to features like smart lighting, voice assistants, and smart appliances, to name a few.
The future of smart homes is a promising one. Supported by continuous technological advancements, we can expect an even higher level of personalized, smart, and interconnected homes, even in remote areas where this was once not possible.
Let’s take a look at some trends that will shape the future of smart homes.
1. Increased Usage in Rural and Remote Areas
One of the biggest trends shaping the future of smart homes is the expansion of smart homes beyond cities to rural and remote areas. Gone are the days when this technology was limited to urban areas, largely in part due to the growing availability of internet options in remote areas.
High-speed internet options fueled by technological advancements like satellite technology, are now accessible to people living in remote or rural areas, allowing them to embrace the power of home automation and seamlessly build their smart homes.
There was a time when if you imagined a person living close to the mountains enjoying the same level of connectivity or home automation as someone living in the city, you’d be considered crazy. Not anymore! When I started to build my smart home, I explored satellite internet near me and realized how far technological progress has come in bridging the digital divide.
The availability of reliable and high-speed satellite internet services like Starlink or Hughesnet allows homeowners in remote and rural areas to enjoy a range of smart features, previously unavailable to them due to poor internet connectivity. This means a streamlined daily routine, uninterrupted access to smart home systems and devices, and advanced security and monitoring in secluded areas.
2. Increased Personalization with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Artificial Intelligence will continue to integrate deeply into each aspect of a smart home, providing homeowners with a higher level of personalized and interconnected experiences. This includes personalization across multiple areas, from basic adjustments to health and wellbeing solutions.
Powered by cutting-edge algorithms and the learning potential of machine learning, artificial intelligence will be able to analyze the expectations and behaviors of homeowners, delivering solutions or taking actions that match their individual needs or adapt to their changing lifestyles. This will allow a personalized and highly comfortable smart home experience for each household member.
For example, you can expect AI to monitor and adjust your lighting and HVAC settings based on the time of day and your previous preferences. It can also analyze your entertainment and culinary preferences and recommend relevant choices, such as movies and recipes. Smart home appliances can also allow you to customize audio or video settings when streaming or create your morning coffee on time and just how you like it.
Your health and well-being will also benefit from the personalization power of AI, with advancements like smart furniture and gyms. Smart furniture like mattresses and chairs can track sleep patterns or make posture adjustments, providing higher comfort. Home gyms will use AI-based trainers to offer personalized workout and diet plans, and provide real-time feedback. We can also expect the integration of virtual reality for a more immersive and interactive workout experience.
Last but not least, you can also expect the predictive power of AI to take center stage. By analyzing and predicting potential problems, AI-powered systems and devices can automatically take corrective action like scheduling repairs, therefore reducing delays and streamlining the process for homeowners.
3. Increased Home Security and Monitoring
Home security is one of the most crucial aspects when it comes to smart home technology, and it is about to level up, with cutting-edge features like biometric entry and the learning capabilities of AI.
AI-based surveillance will monitor and analyze security footage in real-time, identifying patterns, familiar faces, and pets, and differentiating between normal and threatening behavior. Through integrating with other smart systems or devices, AI can automatically lock doors or notify the relevant authorities as needed.
Older entry systems like lock and key will also become outdated and be replaced by fingerprint, facial, and even behavioral recognition systems, all providing multi-factor authentication. Homeowners granting access to guests will also be digitized using smart locks, that is access codes, or digital keys that can be sent using certain apps.
AI’s situational awareness and analysis will also play a huge role in detecting and preventing threats. By detecting unusual noises, analyzing movements, and more both in and around your home, it can either control integrated devices to eliminate the threat or notify the relevant security system.
4. Increased Sustainability and Energy Saving
Another important development that is expected in future smart homes is prioritizing sustainable practices, and saving energy. This includes analyzing and playing a role in addressing climate change issues, reducing environmental impact, and last but not least, reducing energy-related expenses for homeowners.
A prime example of this is smart water systems that use sensors and interconnected technology to monitor and control water usage. These systems can detect water leaks, automatically shut off running water, and provide tips that guide you to consume and manage water efficiently, thus reducing wastage and water-related costs within your home.
Managing your waste is also an aspect that will become more streamlined and efficient with appliances like smart bins. Equipped with sensors, these bins automatically categorize recyclable and compost waste and track and notify the relevant authority when the bin is full, streamlining the waste collection process and encouraging more efficient recycling practices.
We can also expect the growth of self-sufficient zero-energy homes. This refers to homes that generate their electricity and save the excess produced using renewable sources and electricity management systems like solar-powered systems and batteries.
The Future of Smart Homes – Personalized Experiences for Everyone
The future of smart homes is filled with seamless, automated, and hyper-personalized experiences.
We will witness smart homes as if they have an essential virtual mind of their own, acting as one entity of interconnected systems and devices that allow a seamless experience across all aspects of their user’s life from personalized experiences, advanced and responsive security practices, and smart appliances handling daily tasks.
Encouraging sustainable practices and a reduced environmental footprint will also become crucial considerations shaping the way smart systems and devices operate. Most importantly, higher access to the Internet in rural and remote areas will propel the growth of smart homes in such areas, allowing residents to experience the convenience and efficiency of this remarkable technology.