STACK #193 Nov 2020

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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Smart Movies For many years now, future tech in movies has almost been a prescient to what we’re putting in our homes today. Here are four examples of smart homes in the movies.

THE FUTURE OF SMART HOME While automated homes are still a nascent proposition for many, it’s estimated that over 100 million households will have adopted some form of smart home technology by 2023. And the future offers up some exciting tech prospects for the smart residence over the next ten years, many of which are already beginning to unfold. Words Adam Colby

IRON MAN Tony Stark’s AI virtual assistant J.A.R.V.I.S. is the ultimate voice- automated flatmate who not only guards Stark’s mansion and Tower but also operates everything within, including opening blinds and providing morning surf reports.

HER The sultry sounding Samantha is writer Theodore Twombly’s operating system, who organises his life and

talks to him through a concealed earbud. However, you’re not supposed to fall in love with your Google assistant, which is exactly what Twombly does.

BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II The McFly’s home of the future covers plenty of smart home features we could easily adapt to our homes with existing tech, including thumbprint locks, cameras on the front door, video calls and

Butler robot – Yep, it’s the stuff of dreams – a robot on hand to round up all the dirty washing the kids have strewn throughout the house, make a cup of tea, or cut up all the vegetables ready for dinner. Just call out the command, and off your own personal R2-D2 will roll. House communicator – Just as your car warns you that fuel is getting low or the tyre pressure needs adjusting, future homes will be able to relay important information such as when the water heater needs a service or the fridge is no longer running efficiently, and offer suggestions as to how to save on energy costs. In-built sensors will detect water leaks or pest damage. Smart Clothing – We’ve got smart wearables for our wrists and even our fingers but the next step is building fitness and wellbeing tracking into textiles, so the singlet or yoga pants you wear while working out will collect all the vital data you need.

Tech-savvy toilets – It doesn’t sound very pleasant at all, but sensors embedded in toilet bowls that can scan body waste and detect disease, dietary omissions and even pregnancy are already in development. Wall lights – No, not lights in walls but rather a wall that actually illuminates or changes colour as you walk through the house – and will put paid to the dreaded task of painting the house. Adaptive AI – We all know that AI is going to play a huge part in our futures (Skynet anyone?) – it already is – but AI infrastructure throughout the house will learn to adapt to your habits. So rather than having to set scenes manually or via voice assistance, your smart home will know what you want to read, hear or watch when you rise for the day, or prepare the house for sleep by picking up on your bedtime rituals.

voice controlled TV. We’re yet to come up with a five-second pizza hydrator though. And what’s more, it’s out on 4K this month.

EX MACHINA Unhinged CEO Nathan’s smooth dance moves with gynoid Kyoko to the classic Get Down Saturday Night is a memorable scene accompanied by an exquisite smart display you could quite conceivably put in your own house today.

34 NOVEMBER 2020

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