Image Source: Lendi
Technology has always been there to improve our lives. And, with our homes being one of our most cherished possessions, it is unsurprising that we have made significant efforts to improve their functionality. This has been particularly true during the last few years, since the advent of the Internet, and more recently, with the appearance of the Internet of Things (IoT). Together they have resulted in what today we call intelligent homes.
So, let’s see how these smart homes are changing our lives.
Working from home
More and more people are working from home, sharing information and documents on the web with technologies such as Google Drive. These technologies are available anytime and anywhere, usually free, and don’t require complex installation procedures.The only necessary tools are a good Internet connection and a computer. The ability to effortlessly work from home requires choosing a proper broadband connection that allows real-time chat, fast file downloading and uploading, and using tools available in the cloud.
Studying from home
The Internet has also changed the way we study. Nowadays, the opportunities to learn from home are many. Places like Coursera, the WorldQuant University, and edX, just to mention a few, offer options for the young and old alike to pump up their skills and learn from top institutions. This also means the possibility of studying at reduced costs and sometimes even for free.Helping us with our homely tasks
Modern life is a busy life. We must spend long hours at work, engage in social events, and care for our family members. The IoT has come to help. Nowadays, devices can do many daily home tasks that, years ago, required human work.
Not surprisingly, the kitchen has taken priority in device design. Robots, like Rotimatic, can prepare bread and other simple but delicious treats for us. Washing machines that can also dry and iron our clothes are already available.
Keeping our homes habitable takes work, particularly when we have children. Domestic robots, like Roomba or RX-V100, can memorize our rooms and clean and dispose of what they collected. Devices such as Nest thermostats are capable of learning what we need and, thus, great to keep the environment temperature that we want and help us be energy efficient.
Regarding safety, modern camera systems, which connect to our cell phones,, are of great help. For the wealthier ones, companies like Knightscope are changing the security landscape by providing Machines as a Service (MaaS). They use robots capable of learning the environment and autonomously patrolling places.
Connecting with our special ones
Social engagement has changed so much over the past few years. Letters that could take weeks or months to arrive have been replaced by social platforms such as Facebook that allow us to keep in touch with our families and friends in real-time, from anywhere.Filling our leisure time
Leisure is an integral part of our modern lives. With increased technology, comes increased free time. Internet-based games for all different tastes are available on the web. If you like chess or poker or prefer to follow a fitness program by famous celebrities, the Internet is the place to go. Not to mention games for our children and the availability of movies, TV programs,, and digital libraries.
Extending our independent lives
Thanks to technology, our lifespan has improved. But we like to live independently, and aid is available. Intelligent devices based on AI, such as Keecker, help the elderly keep productive and socially engaged. They can remind us when we should take our medicines, call our dear ones, answer our telephone calls,, and more.
The way we live is constantly changing, giving us more time for what we want to do, helping us engage in the activities we dream of and create bonds with others, enjoy our space, work in what we like, and expand our productive lives. The list is endless. And in the coming years, more amazing technologies will become part of our lives, such as self-driven cars, 3D printed furniture and devices, and more.
