Technology is taking over design in the luxury market, according to broker and tech expert Brandon Doyle. Take a tour of this smart home to see what you’ve been missing out on.
The global explosion of “smart home” technology has led to a huge buzz of the press over the past decade – and the truth is, it’s all about misnomers. Until recently, the smart home experiment didn’t really live up to its promise.
While a slew of tech companies have raised awareness of the connected devices that were available — a useful development, frankly — many of these same companies have pushed so-called inexpensive DIY systems that create more friction than functionality.
Fortunately, this is rapidly changing and home buyers are showing up Willing to pay for a decent calling experience. “As homeowners become more comfortable with technology in their homes thanks to the mass adoption of smart speakers and the like, they are now looking for a structured experience that goes beyond plug and play to technology that enhances their lifestyle,” said Michael Short. , director of residential marketing for Crestron.
There are many concepts one needs to understand when it comes to smart home technology, and understanding these concepts will help any agent describe the best technology solutions in a way that makes these systems as desirable as high-end worktops or luxury bathroom fixtures.
interoperability
First and foremost, every device and every part of a smart home solution, no matter how narrow or broad its functionality, needs to “work and play well” with others. The most effective way to achieve this? Make sure every part of any smart home system, from AV to HVAC to lighting, is part of the same environmental systemAnd the or provided by a third party partner with this ecosystem.
Intuitive interfaces
Regardless of how devices and systems are controlled, whether by means of “graphical user interfaces” (GUI – thinking buttons on a touch screen) or via voice (also referred to as “Voice User Interface” or VUI) any aspect of the Aspects of the connected home are as easy to understand as a common light switch.
The appropriate interface should also be available to a variety of users – or intended for anyone who might use that interface at a specific time or in a particular room of the house.
Automation and scenes
This is where the “magic” of the smart home happens. Think about the automated systems in your car – the way the headlights turn on at dusk, or how the seat settings in a luxury car can be customized to automatically adjust for each driver. Now apply these same ideas to accommodation.
- Imagine that indoor lights mimic the color of sunlight at a certain time of the day.
- Consider opening and closing curtains for cooling, heating, or even privacy at certain hours.
- Imagine you’re back home and your favorite playlist starts broadcasting over the speakers in the dining room, cooking room, or living room.
When a system effortlessly performs all of these tasks, the “smart home” lives up to the hype.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
While the information is not necessarily necessary to sell a home buyer on technology, there is a great deal of confusion regarding these two terms. Machine learning is what most smart thermostats do. They record the behavior and adjust the settings accordingly.
Artificial intelligence is just the ability to learn, think and predict. (Imagine if your smart thermostat saw you reached into a blanket and raised the temperature a few degrees, for example.) It’s important to note here that any connected home is “smart” as it should be — it’s not a sensitive robot that spies on its owners.
mystery
One consistent requirement for homeowners, architects, and interior designers for technology is aesthetics. Simply put, if it has to be visible, make it neat.
Speakers that are mounted in walls and ceilings, consoles and thermostats designed with an eye on aesthetics, and even requiring flat screen TVs to do double duty as digital art shows when content isn’t being streamed are all part of the mix.
A stiff “spine”
An issue that has been observed in a number of new residential construction projects (especially in larger ones) is to set up a single router/modem near or in place of a utility space, which is expected to deliver wi-fi signals to an entire property. While wi-fi is great for mobile devices and laptop connectivity, the need for cable infrastructure becomes starkly obvious with larger homes in mind.
If these cables are run into a powerful system of wireless access points, the end result will be a smoother connection. While obsolescence is an issue with any form of technology, there are ways to prepare a home’s infrastructure for eventual upgrades and expansions. In a new build or remodel, running more cable (or even conduit) than is necessary for an existing smart home system can be a huge help later.
Integration and Integrators
Getting all the disparate parts to work together properly requires a professional who knows what hardware to select, how to install and maintain these systems, and how to make sure they’re safe. They are often referred to as “integrators”, because they literally integrate digital systems into real-world applications.
An increasing number of these professionals are relying on platforms like Home Crestronan entire ecosystem that checks all the boxes above, and provides the homeowner with the kind of robust and reliable experience that makes a home truly “smart.”
