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Cape Town - Your home should learn your habits automatically to be truly considered smart, says an industry insider.
The idea that you should have an interface to make smart home technology work is ridiculous and undermines the concept.
"I think it's irrelevant. When the Smart home tech is up and running and connected as it should be, there will be no need to interact with the system as it will just learn from other devices and the technology around you," Riaan Swart, founder of Solv, told Fin24.
Solv is a company focused on solving domestic problems with technology and Swart, the managing director, has a long history of involvement in the tech business. He founded consumer tech retailer Chaos Computers.
Unlike the predominant thinking around an interface that consumers have to engage with, Swart believes that a true smart home will seamlessly connect with other smart devices.
Control layer
Many devices that claim the "smart home" title such as internet-connected lights, door locks or even appliances have to controlled via a smartphone.
But the added layer of control may just be bother, especially when a simple device switch is faster.
"Your house should pick up from your car when you on your way home. Your wearable device will pick up how you're sleeping and when you’ll wake up," said Swart.
He foresees a vision of a technology-enabled home that improves the standard of living rather than making demands on users.
Key-less access to homes may have game-changing implications for domestic living. (Duncan Alfreds, Fin24)
Part of this thinking is illustrated in Japan where companies like Honda, Panasonic and others have already debuted automated "intelligent" devices.
Honda’s chair robot is designed for elderly people and provides stable mobility, but can sense when the user is non-responsive.
Indeed, some companies have re-engineered smart home apps so that a switch replaces a complex application to control devices remotely.
Game changer
In theory, smart home appliances would be automatically able to dial for help - either to emergency services or even to friends and family.
In SA, traditional brick and mortar retailers like Pick n Pay and Woolworths are exploring online platforms complete with automated shopping lists and scheduled deliveries.
These technology platforms, when integrated with mobile technology could be a significant game changer for the entire industry.
According to results from industry tracker Juniper Research, revenue from smart home technologies are set to exceed $71bn by 2018, a massive jump from the $33bn in 2013.
While Swart in no doubt an early adopter of the technology, he urged caution to the hype that smart homes are the "next big thing".
"Smart is a bit of an overused marketing message at the moment. That being said, the trend is building."
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