Can you believe we’re almost halfway through the year? So much has happened since we wrote our smart home predictions post in January 2018. With smart home technology constantly evolving and more companies bringing their products to market, there’s been some big changes in the last 18 months.
But there’s still more to come. To celebrate, we thought we’d trying something a little different this year and present you with our very own predictions for the second half of 2019 and beyond. With smart homes becoming more and more attainable, we’ve spoken to some industry experts to weigh in on the topic.
We’ve called upon a home builder, an electrician, an architect and our very own General Manager Darren Bee to find out where they all think the smart home is headed. So buckle up and read on to find out what they have to say!
Darren Bee – General Manager, Advantage Air
Why the smart home?
A smart home is a home that makes life easier for you, in really useful ways. I’m talking about touching one button to control multiple items in the home like MyPlace. When you leave in the morning or go to bed at night, one button sets the house the way you want it – no going around the house turning individual items off.
So for me personally, one of the smartest things my smart home allows me to do is to control things when I’m not there. It isn’t necessarily about the convenience of not getting off the couch to turn the light off or showing off to my mates that I can open my garage door from my phone. It’s about receiving an alert that my garage door is still open (thank goodness that didn’t get left up all day!) and then being able to close it as soon as I receive the alert. Peace of mind!
What’s in store?
In Australia, I think there is a lot of confusion in the market as to what a smart home is, what products are useful vs gimmicky, etc. The biggest problem is that no one seems to have nailed an all-in-one solution. So the result is a bunch of disconnected apps on your phone – that’s not smart.
I think the trend towards smart home is a natural evolution of technology. In the 1980s no one had a remote control garage door – so I guess everyone got wet in the winter time. Fast forward to the 90s and someone thought it would be a good idea to not have to get wet to open the garage. While we take a remote control garage door for granted these days, I’m sure there was a time when the concept was first presented that it felt inconceivable/unnecessary, etc. As technology evolves and consumer electronics companies push more and more products into the market, it forces the consumer to change.
Where I see the future going is towards one platform that serves all. At some point, the world will normalise around 1 language / 1 platform etc. Like it did with VHS and Beta or DVD and whatever its competitors were.
Jon Greshon – Home Builder, My Homes WA
Why the smart home?
We are dealing with a tech-savvy generation. They have been using the internet and smartphones since primary school. They are a generation that gets information at the touch of a button. This is the reason that a smart home component appeals to them – they want all their devices to be like this.
What’s in store?
The smart home is becoming more relevant with the role out of the NBN along with Stan, Netflix and many other streaming entertainment platforms. We believe this is just the start of what our future clients will want.
We have also noticed that 90% of our clients since the introduction of MyPlace have taken up this fantastic new app. This area of new homes will further develop with all devices on an iPad. You will have your home connected to all your devices and have remote access to your home from anywhere in the world with security and home comfort to be the main advances.
Luke Powell – Electrician, Powlec
Why the smart home?
Undoubtedly the main reason is convenience. Since the beginning of last century with the advent of standardised, readily available electricity every home in the developed world has been becoming slowly automated or a smart home.
From thermostatically controlled irons, dish washing machines, food processors, robot vacuums to voice controlled personal assistants, people’s lives have become less physically taxing. Over the last few years the potential of the internet and the connected world is being realised. Never has there been a time where we could run our whole home from a handheld phone or a tablet.
High speed internet has also had a great impact on the uptake of smart technology as well as the smoother integration of the internet of things (IoT).
The main progression over the last 18 months has been the integration of different branded devices with artificial intelligence (AI). The seamless transition between different applications on one device is making all the various IoT devices in our homes much more user friendly.
What’s in store?
Energy efficiency will be one of the main focuses over the coming years. Having a home that can create a comfortable environment that is cost effective will become very desirable. It is a well known fact that energy prices increase year upon year, so a home that can automatically integrate the many systems and devices smoothly and efficiently will have broad appeal.
Photovoltaic (PV) arrays with battery storage will help to create and store the energy our homes will need. Central AI devices will regulate humidity, CO2, temperature, lighting levels, water consumption, food waste and the charging of different items/devices. The step from our devices learning our patterns to predict our behaviours is already here. Home AI devices will have the ability to divert power from lighting and AC to a higher demand device item like an electric car that has arrived home and is charging using the PV array whilst there is still daylight.
Christopher Biggs – Director, Accelerando Consulting
Why the smart home?
Aussies love to show off. Previously it was the pool, then the media room, now it’s the smart home. Also, it is FUN to be in control of your smart home. When you really think about it, apart from some shiny appliances, our homes have not changed hugely in a century. Light switches are placed where it was convenient for the builder, not the homeowner. A house, a great modern architect once said, is a machine to live in. Smart Homes and the IoT are about making the machine work better. It could be as simple as knowing when the dishwasher is finished from the comfort of the living room, or as complex as keeping your pool water in perfect condition.
What’s in store?
Lighting is poised for revolution. I predict lightbulbs are fading, to be replaced by LED panels and strips. The future for the smart home is voice integration. Apps were a dead end; once you have a relatively smart home you have dozens of separate apps and it’s quicker to get up and flip the light switch than find the right app. Smart devices of the future must integrate seamlessly with your home hub.
What do you think of our predictions? If you’re interested in making your home even smarter, talk to Advantage Air today.