Cities of the Future
More than 80% of Spanish people would invest in home automation in exchange for greater energy savings, convenience and comfort. As many as 60% would be willing to spend up to €5,000 on it, according to the I Observatory on Housing and Sustainability 2023 report by the Union of Real Estate Credits (UCI in Spanish).
And it is no wonder because the benefits of smart homes are constantly increasing and Artificial Intelligence has a lot to do with this. But what is a smart home like? We explore innovations in home automation and AI to offer insight into how homes could be shaped in the years to come.
Technology and innovation together with home automation
When we talk about home automation we refer to the automation of homes with the integration of technologies, control systems and monitoring to make day-to-day tasks simpler and more effective. The most common and useful devices to implement it are household appliances, HVAC systems, and switches.
Among its advantages we find comfort, entertainment or sustainability and if we include Artificial Intelligence, IoT and big data in the equation, the revolution is immediate.
AI has the ability to learn and adapt to any event, no matter how unpredictable it may seem. There are machine learning algorithms that understand behaviour patterns and create systems that respond to current needs and those that may arise in the future. It is possible to adjust the lighting, temperature and play the residents' favourite music even before they get home.
The capacity to analyse big data in automated homes also optimises their use by making better use of the resources and equipment in homes. By combining AI and Big Data, it is possible to analyse the tastes of users to offer personalised recommendations about series, movies or songs.
And how do you improve communication with a smart home? The Internet of Things and the most innovative technologies make it possible to interconnect devices. A wireless connection is the key factor and remote control can be achieved via apps downloaded to the phone.
Comfort, efficiency, safety, security and appreciation in value with home automation
The future of homes lies in Artificial Intelligence and its many advantages are just a sample of this:
- Energy and economic savings. You can control energy consumption and the on/off of lights, thermostat or appliances. There are advanced systems that also detect whether you are at home to take into account the performance of the devices.
- Security. The new smart systems work with algorithms that recognise residents and identify unknown visitors.
- Comfort. Remote control of blinds, lights and the thermostat increases user comfort. Everyday tasks are simpler without losing effectiveness.
- Appreciation in value of the property. Homes equipped with home automation tend to have a higher market value and are more attractive to prospective buyers.
Less than 15% of Spanish people feel that they live in a smart home despite all the benefits they enjoy, although about 50% have at least two home automation devices, according to a UCI report. Will this figure increase in the homes of the future?
A study by Statista confirms that the number of smart homes worldwide increased between 2017 and 2023, when it reached 300 million. Forecasts predict an equally promising future: This figure could double by 2028.
What will smart homes look like in the future? Trends & Predictions
In a scenario where smart homes are the future for new homes built, cutting-edge technology will be the key to maximising their potential.
Smart video cameras will provide robust security by enabling homes to be monitored 24/7 with high-definition images and advanced motion analytics. Automation and direct communication with emergency services will improve management and response to critical situations.
The care of pets will also be essential in future smart homes: The number of pets increases every year, so a new market niche is emerging in home automation, which will seek to implement solutions that facilitate their care and monitoring when owners are not at home.
In the field of entertainment, there will be a very high demand for devices such as Alexa and Smart TVs and they will be leaders in home automation, closely followed by security technologies such as cameras and sensors.
Remote management will be essential in smart homes, allowing devices to be controlled from anywhere, while advances in cybersecurity promise maximum security to avoid possible threats.
The fusion of home automation and AI opens the door to a future where homes will not only be a place of residence, they will also function as smart assistants. They will adapt to our needs in advance and with precision, promising us an unprecedented level of comfort, efficiency and safety.
