Smart Water System
Most technologies for home tech water systems focus on flood prevention. Kohler is taking the concept of “smart water” one step further with the Aquifer Refine. It’s a Wi-Fi-connected water purification system that fits under the sink that can also detect leaks, monitor household water consumption, and let you know when it’s time to change filters.
Smart Lighting Everywhere
Lighting was one of the earliest smart home tech applications, and now it’s the most mature. There are plentiful choices between both smart bulbs and smart light controllers that use conventional bulbs. Philips has been the most active company in the former category with its Hue line, which has now expanded into smart outdoor lighting that’s completely plug and play.
Kitchen Trends
Kitchens are being inundated with everything “smart,” so it’s hardly a surprise that counters are running out of room to hold a recipe. Using a tablet or smartphone to cook along with is a messy affair, but one that’s neatly solved by the GE Kitchen Hub. It’s a combination touchscreen and exhaust system that mounts above the stove. You can access 5,000 recipes at eye level and also upload your own favorites. You can even carry on a video chat while you cook.
Smart Appliances
LG is moving the concept of smart appliances to the next level by using artificial intelligence for its ThinQ line. It knows what items you have in your fridge and shows recipes using those ingredients. It recognizes your clothing and adjusts washer and dryer settings for those fabrics. ThinQ gets even smarter over time through machine learning.
Wearables and driverless cars may get all the headlines, but home is where the home tech is and is likely to be for the foreseeable future!