Future smart homes: 10 safe bets

by Dean Evans at Wednesday 25th March, 2009 at 11:22 am [0 comments]

The Grand Designs Live show takes place in April. Not only is it a showcase for home building and renovation, but it offers a glimpse into how modern technology can inspire us to live greener and smarter.

The show runs a series of seminars and discussions. This year sessions will focus on a variety of subjects including: Eco towns, the recession-busting “don’t move, improve” idea and the popularity of pre-fab housing (like Tiffany Wood’s eco home in Bath).

As such, it’s an ideal opportunity to have a look back at one of last year’s sessions by Electrolux Senior Industrial Designer Adam Szczepanowski. He suggested 10 ‘safe bets’ for the home of the future.

1. Your home will collect its own energy

A no-brainer this one. We’re already seeing the adoption of solar and wind power in the UK. The chances are good that there’s a house near you with a spread of photovoltaic panels on the roof or the distinctive array of vacuum tubes that provide solar-powered hot water.

2. Energy smart appliances

We’re getting there. Slowly. The latest appliances and gadgets are certainly greener and more eco-friendly, but the upgrade cycle for home appliances is long. To be honest, you’re unlikely to replace your old fridge or washing machine unless it breaks.

3. Not just air conditioning, try air purification

“In the future, air conditioners and purifiers will come together and evolve to give the right temperature, humidity – the right feel to the air in your house, removing allergens and odours…” Interesting. But we’re not quite there yet.

4. The kitchen as the hub of the house

Szczepanowski believed that open-plan living will reposition the kitchen as the focal point in future homes. Consequently, appliances will need to be quieter and air purifiers or fans will need to be more efficient at removing the smell of last night’s Chicken Tikka Masala.

5. A washing machine with a sense of smell?

“The washing machines of the future will sniff out any stain and take care of it,” said Szczepanowski. “Across all appliances – problems will be solved without you even knowing about it.” It’s part of the technology Holy Grail – devices where the technology is more ‘human’, ‘softer’ and ultimately ‘invisible’. Or built by Apple…

6. Smart ovens

Changing big kitchen appliances like ovens and fridges isn’t like buying a new iPod. It’s a serious investment. But future cookers will be able to calculate the energy needed to cook your food the way you want it. Electrolux is already revamping its kitchen technology with the new Inspiro oven. Clever.

7. Advanced temperature control

“The home spa will evolve to include true air conditioning to change the feel of the air – humidity, temperature and taste – adding an audio visual experience and, ultimately, allowing you to recreate your dream location in the bathroom.” We’ll file this one under ‘Jetsons’. Right next to ‘Star Trek’.

8. Customisation

Szczepanowski anticipated a trend for product customisation – I.e. wallpapers where you choose the pattern yourself and custom-painted appliances. This will provide a way for consumers to add their personal stamp onto mass-produced home ware.

9. Alternative ways of washing

While tiny wrinkle-removing and stain-blasting robots are a technologist’s pipe dream, Chinese student Guopeng Liang dreamt up the iBasket for the 2008 Electrolux Design Lab competition. Basically, it’s a laundry basket that washes your clothes…

10. Robotic vacuum cleaners

And back to the present… Szczepanowski’s vision of robotic home helpers is already a reality in the shape of robotic vacuum cleaners such as the Electrolux Trilobyte and iRobot Roomba. Perfect for anyone who really hates to hoover.

And that’s the list. What do you think?

Green technology and energy saving will undoubtedly loom large over this year’s Grand Designs Show. But it’s easy to see how technology has a big role to play in the home of the future – whether you build a new dream house or retro-fit an existing building.

No related posts.