Future of the Smart Home: 11+ Innovations That Could Change the Way We Live

The future of the way we live in and use our homes is set to be one thing: Smart. From the fridge to your toilet seat, your Smart Home will be one of the integrated appliances and furniture.

The following 11+ devices and innovations will likely change the way we live forever. This list is far from exhaustive and in no particular order.

1. Tunable lighting's white lighting can change your mood

Studies have shown for a long time that lighting directly affects occupants' moods. Bluish hues can boost your energy whilst reddish tones tend to calm you down. 

RELATED: ARE WE REALLY GETTING DUMBER AS DEVICES GET SMARTER?

Tunable lighting that changes automatically or on-demand could change the way we live and work. Whether in the workplace or at home this might be as effective as listening to different genres of music.

2. This smart home innovation is bringing "Minority Report" into reality

Many home gadgets and other tech rely heavily on voice command. But it's not very useful whilst watching your favorite movie or listening to your favorite band's new album on maximum volume.

Titanium Falcon's Talon Smart Ring is one such device that combines smart home control with jewelry. It gives you command and control of devices by simply using hand gestures. 

3. 'Smarten up' your bathroom (or kitchen) with this cool smart home device

At CES 2018, a company called Kohler unveiled its Kohler Konnect. This smart tech effectively acts like Alexa but for your bathroom appliances, as well as your kitchen.

You can, by voice command, make your bathroom effectively hands-free. You can warm up your toilet seat or be alerted when the bath water is at the perfect temperature.

4. These smart light switches can multi-task

Combining various functions into a single piece of tech is nothing new after all your smartphone is a prime example. But iDevice has managed to combine a light switch with an Amazon Alexa.

This allows it to double as a smart light switch and also as a personal assistant. It is even designed to take advantage of its wall mounting for great acoustics.

5. Fancy controlling your washing machine via your smartphone?

Samsung has recently unveiled its QuickDrive Washer. This compact little washing machine can connect your phone letting you check its progress and even schedule wash cycles. 

It also lets you add extra clothes during the wash cycle without turning it off. This little machine could become the norm in the not so distant future.

6. This device might be the future of robot vacuum cleaners

Robot vacuum cleaners have come a long way since iRobot's Roomba. Although ostensibly the same technology they have become a lot smarter of late, a trend set to only improve over time. 

A great example is Evovacs Deebot Ozmo. This little robot can switch between mop and vacuum mode when reaching different floor surfaces. It also links to your smart device via an app to tell it which rooms to clean or not.  

7. This smart home device can turn your wall into a mega-TV

Although this might conjure up images of a dystopian sci-fi future, TV walls are here, sort of. Samsung has recently unveiled its "The Wall" MicroLED TV. 

It consists of a modular design that lets you assemble your own display to whatever size you desire. Although making a 146-inch display is currently very expensive, the price will fall as Samsung's competitors follow suit if popular.

8. Don't want to cook? Why not have your "Robo Chef" do it?

For those who hate to cook or just don't have time, in the not so distant future you will be able to employ the services of a professional chef in robot form. Moley, a UK based robot firm, will soon release its first robot kitchen.

Technology like this is set to revolutionize our kitchens and as prices fall they are bound to become standard features in our homes.

9. Smart beds could be the future of sleep

Even your bed's mattress could not be saved from becoming 'smart'.  Many companies have been trying to supply consumers with the perfect night's sleep. 

One such tech, called Magnismartech, could be the future of sleep. This is an app-enhanced 'bed system' that collects data and adjusts the mattress whilst you sleep to help improve your future 'sleeping experience'. It can even react and prevent potential snoring events.

Pillows will also become WiFi connected to help you off to the land of Nod.

10. Wireless charging could change your furniture forever

Wireless charging is being rolled out by several tech companies and, interestingly, the Swedish furniture giant, IKEA. They have started to integrate wireless charging into their flat packs which could become the norm in the not so distant future.

This technology will certainly liberate us all from the oppression of lost, broken, and trailing cables. 

11. Smart fridges mean you'll only buy what you need

With the trend for making anything and everything "smart", the humble fridge is the latest victim. Although fridges with screens are nothing new, integrating a smart device functionality is.

Samsung's Family Hub Fridge, for example, could change the way we "fridge" forever. It can act as a hub for other smart devices in your home and perform tasks like notifying you when food is going out of date or finding you coupons for topping up your milk and eggs.

12. Smart security cameras could be the future of home security

Artificial Intelligence will only become more important in future tech, especially within our homes. There are a plethora of home security devices out there but AI integration into them might be the future.

A great example is Somfy's Outdoor Camera. It is able to identify when a person gets a little too close to your home. It then sends them a verbal warning before triggering a 110db siren as a final resort.

13. Open up a world of new projector opportunities with devices like the Canon mini projector

While projectors are nothing new, modern ones, especially smart mini projectors, like those produced by Canon, are the next level in innovation for this technology. For example, the Canon Rayo S1 mini projector can fit into your pocket and is ideal for projecting things like photos, videos, office documents, etc. 

While it won't replace your TV or the cinema anytime soon, this device is an interesting development. It comes with a smart touchpad and can connect to any compatible smartphone or tablet.

Due to its diminutive size, mini projectors like this one open up a whole new world of opportunities at home and at the office. Have impromptu meetings, or watch a film anywhere, anytime. 

14. Smart home devices like the Altro Smart Lock is your own private security

One major need that smart devices fill in your home is for providing security. One such device is the Altro Smart Lock. 

This little device replaces your traditional front door lock and is described as the next-generation in keyless access to buildings. It is so advanced that it would generally take two or more other separate products to provide the same level of security, and convenience, that the Altro Smart Lock provides.

This smart lock is controlled via your smartphone and can help you control your door from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. It offers a 1-way video, and 2-way video enabling you to greet visitors, receive packages, and contactless deliveries from the palm of your hand. 

If your hands are full of shopping, this smart lock also provides contactless automatic unlocking too. All-in-all, it is pretty neat.

15. This desk light actually integrates AI

This desk light is like no other you've probably ever experienced before. Developed by Samsung, and debuted at CES 2019, "Alight" is an AI-powered desk light of the future.

Developed by Samsung's C-Lab program, this smart device features a built-in camera that is able to determine ambient light to improve the user's comfort. Controlled by AI, this smart desk light ensures that optimal illumination is present whether it is time to study or relax without the user's input.

It can also warn the user if they are spending too much time on their smartphone, or fall asleep when they should be working. Smart desk lights like "Alight" could potentially boost concentration levels at the office and at home. 

16. Would you ever use a smart wardrobe?

Yes, you read that right; a smart wardrobe. Believe it or not, companies like Bosch are currently working developing virtual touchscreens that can be projected onto any surface including wardrobe doors and shelves, to name but a few.

While virtual touchscreens projected onto a wardrobe isn't technically making it "smart", the potential applications for this tech are quite exciting. Called the BML100PI Interactive Projection Module, This device produces always-in-focus laser projection for simultaneous multi-layer touchscreens.

It is a complete ready-to-use solution with a compact design and intuitive user experience. Debuted at CES 2019,  Bosch's device makes it significantly easier for users to arrange their clothes, pick outfits, and even check the weather. 

Currently still a prototype, the device will not be available directly to consumers, rather it will be integrated into other future furniture. 

17. Meet the Capstone Smart Mirror

 Another device that could readily be integrated into any smart home is Capstone's Smart Mirror. With it, you can watch videos on YouTube, check your emails, or check out the current situation of your stock portfolio, without ever having to look away from your mirror.

This smart mirror works ostensibly like a traditional Android tablet and was first debuted at CES 2019. The mirror works both as a touchscreen device, as well as, a hands-free system thanks to its Google Assistant integration.

Now available for purchase, the mirror is Android-based, meaning you can download apps onto it too. It can also be used as a smart home hub to control various other smart devices too. 

This might be the last mirror you'll ever need to buy!

18. Even your home's light bulbs are becoming smart 

Light bulbs are also getting smart too. General Electric, for example, has a range of smart bulbs that allow you to control your home's lighting from a smartphone or other smart home device.

Such bulbs are dimmable, long-lasting, and, being LED, are very energy efficient. GE's C by GE range is even smarter than that.

GE's C-Sleep bulbs are also able to create the perfect mood for any situation and can even be synchronized to your own personal circadian rhythm. GE's "Sol" bulbs are even able to integrate with an Amazon Alexa.

Will functionality like this, smart bulbs are nye-on guaranteed to be a standard feature of any smart home of the future.

19. Gourmia smart air fryer ovens are the future of guilt-free fried food

Fryers are even getting the "smart" treatment thanks to manufactures like Gourmia. Take their smart air fryer oven, for example. 

It features 17 preset cooking functions to air-fry, toast, roast, dehydrate, and more, food. Gourmia's fryers use their Fryforce 360° technology that targets food with fast, super-heated air from every direction.

This ensures that food is cooked evenly on the outside while remaining moist internally. All this with little to no oil.

With smart devices like Gourmia's air fryer, you can enjoy the taste of fried food without piling on the pounds. 

20. Automate your smart home's energy efficiency with smart thermostats

Thermostats have been a vital feature of central heating control for many, many decades. But now, thanks to companies like Honeywell, even this veteran home device is getting a "smart" makeover.

Take their highly capable T6R smart thermostat, for example. It is Wi-Fi enabled and can integrate with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and IFTTT devices with relative ease.

Smart thermostats like Honeywell's range are one of the best investments you can make to make your home as energy-efficient as possible. This device takes care of the ambient temperature of your home while you are at home or away. 

You can also control the thermostat using Honeywell's own app to schedule and synchronize wherever you are in the world with an internet connection. 

21. The Kitchenaid Smart Display deserves a place in any self-respecting smart home's kitchen

Whirlpool's Kitchenaid Smart Display could be one smart device no culinary inclined smart homeowner could do without. This smart device acts as a central hub to expand your culinary creativity.

It offers step-by-step recipe instructions, shopping lists, and smart home control all in one place. Not only that, but it is completely hands'free for those times when your fingers are covered in dough. 

It comes with Google Assistant as standard, and is, according to Whirlpool, rated as water jet-resistant. Like all Google Assistant-powered smart displays, KitchenAid is able to respond to Google Assistant voice commands.

This means you can watch YouTube videos or make calls through the device all while cooking up a storm. The device comes with cooking recipes from Yummly (one of Whirlpool’s other brands). 

22. The Maximus DualCam Video Doorbell is a smart doorbell unlike any other

And finally, another smart device that could be the future of smart homes is the Maximus DualCam Video Doorbell. Featuring two cameras, intelligent motion detection, and ease-of-installation, this pricey little device is the perfect addition to any security-minded smart homeowner.

The basic concept is that this device's dual-camera feature allows you to see who is at the door and what, if anything, also on the doorstep. Like most other smart doorbells, this doorbell offers relatively sharp HD video and provides two-way talk capabilities. 

While more expensive than other smart doorbells, its dual camera feature is certainly a game-changer.  

So there you go, 11+ smart home innovations that could change the way we live. Have we missed any other great examples?