Luxury as a concept is one that is ever-changing and constantly evolving. Of course, that isn’t to say that certain things won’t always be considered luxuries; anyone who has been to Versailles or Hearst Castle can attest to their opulence. Certainly, they were luxurious when they were made and they’re luxurious now. But in 2014? Well, in 2014, such luxury makes about as much sense as driving around in a steam-powered car or communicating via wired telegram. No, today, the so-called “smart home” is the new luxury – connected, livable, dynamic and always thinking.
The Home and the Internet of Things Finally Meet
It could be said that the smart home is the inevitable, logical conclusion – nay, destination – of the path the house first started down in the early 20th century. First with indoor plumbing, and then electricity, which beget refrigerators and radios and televisions, technology has been making inroads into the home for more than a century. In a world where the whole of human history is now available on a computer that fits into your pocket (or pocketbook), it is only natural that the home, too, would benefit from this new connectivity.
With smart devices, the Internet of Things, constant connectivity, and artificial intelligence, technology has and can be implemented into our lives in innumerable ways, and this includes the household. Led by pioneer Samsung, who has spent millions on research and development which has led to numerous patents in the field, other technology companies are starting to see the value in bringing tech into the home. And if everything goes as expected, it will change the way that you live your life. And soon. No longer will you have to work to maintain your house; your home will do the work itself.
The Promise of the Smart Home
The ultimate promise of the smart home, and the reason why it may be the final word in luxury, is that it fulfills the long-held dream of having a house that works for you. Through technology, a smart home can make your life easier, more convenient, and less stressful – in a word (or two), more fulfilling and enjoyable. How? Well, through technology.
With devices like the Nest thermostat, Dyson robotic vacuum cleaner, and a slew of smart TV sets from a range of manufacturers now available, the home has never been smarter. With Nest’s learning thermostat, you can save money, reduce your energy usage, and benefit from a climate-controlled house that is always just the right temperature – whether you remembered to set the thermostat or not. Have a large house or you simply forgot to vacuum the floors like you had intended to do? Fret not. Dyson’s new robotic vacuum is all-seeing, thanks to its 360 degree camera, and can clean a room in as little as 30 minutes, all by itself. Short of having your own robotic maid (and the ubiquitous flying car), the Jetsons is finally here.
Your Future is Already Here
You don’t have to be Bill Gates (or have Bill Gates’ bank account) to live in a smart home. The great thing about technology is that it eventually finds its way to the consumer at an affordable price (after all, only if consumers can actually use a consumer product does it serve a purpose). The latest connected devices, which enable everything from room-specific HVAC controls to automatic cleanup, prove that technology integration is here to stay. The new luxury is not only now within reach, it’s already here.
