1. Smarter Laundry Machines
We welcome the assistance of AI in this field, having spent far too much money on using too much detergent, overfilling the machine so the job doesn’t get done properly, and then spending ages hanging heavier garments on radiators because they didn’t fully dry. This is a great example of AI saving a busy person a lot of time, with machines capable of optimising wash and dry cycles based on the load (some models can even adjust the cycle based on the types of fabrics detected), automatically adjusting detergent levels, conserving water, and connecting to your phone so you can set and monitor cycles remotely.
2. Voice Assistants
The first physical AI to enter most people’s homes was the Amazon Alexa voice assistant, a cylindrical speaker that listened to your commands, answered general knowledge questions, and (quelle surprise) placed orders at Amazon for you. Later versions were spherical and sounded better, as well as offering you the chance to link up your home alarms, heating systems and so on. An app version, Siri, has made a huge impact for iPhone users, and clones of both products are now available at various price points. The downside? They’re always listening, so bear that in mind when you discuss sensitive matters.
3. Pet Monitors
Watch, feed, track and diagnose the health of your dog, cat or other vertebrate chum with the aid of AI, which is now found in cameras, food delivery systems and even smart collars that keep an eye on Fido’s heart rate. To an extent, it’s regrettable that you don’t actually have to be present to feed your pet, that being a nice opportunity for animal and owner to bond, but at the same time, if you’re stuck at work and your four-legged friend is at home, at least you know he or she isn’t going to starve. By the way, AI pets exist too… but that’s another conversation.
4. Video Doorbells
Someone is at your door, but you can’t get there because you’re in the shower/at work/in Australia. What do you do? Relax – if you’ve got a smart video doorbell with AI features, the voice assistant will talk to your visitor and give your desired instructions. Some models use video to recognise who’s at the door, whether it’s the postman with a parcel, a posse of Trick or Treaters, or your tabby trying to get through the catflap, and they’ll keep you informed via a phone app. The security benefits are obvious, as is the time you’ll save by not having to rearrange mail deliveries.
5. Smart Sockets and Plugs
Energy saving is an increasing priority in today’s world, partly for ecological reasons and partly because the stuff is expensive, so the arrival of smart sockets is welcome. These replace existing sockets and can detect the devices that are plugged into them. Using AI, they figure out if and when they need to be powered up, managing electricity supply efficiently according to patterns of most and least use. This applies both in the home, where TVs and computers are often left on standby overnight, and also in the office, where the same issue applies tenfold. Similarly, smart plugs – which can be used in standard sockets – let you schedule and control the attached devices via an app, or via a quick command to your AI-powered home hub or voice assistant.
6. Smart Lighting
How many light and lamp switches do you have inside and outside your house? And how much time do you spend turning them on or off? You probably don’t even think about it, but it’ll be a lot less in summer and at night time, that’s for sure. Now, imagine you never have to turn a switch on or off because the amount of light that you need in any given room, or area of a room, is always just right. Even if you do need more or less light, a voice command will do it. Smart bulbs can also offer you a choice of hues to set the right atmosphere for any situation. That’s the role of smart lighting, or even just smart light switches and/or smart plugs – an obvious place for AI to do its thing with a minimum of fuss.
7. Home Security Systems
Alarm systems in the home have been getting more sophisticated for years now, linking silently to emergency services, splitting a given household into separate zones and so on, but the recent integration of AI into these systems is leading towards a more detailed and more user-friendly experience. For example, AI’s ability to recognise people and objects enables it to inform us more accurately about what and who is in or approaching our property. Many of these devices will link seamlessly to your existing Google or Amazon Alexa tech, too, making for a fully integrated setup – a refreshing change from the old days when they came with their own, proprietary software.
8. Robot Vacuum Cleaners
Who doesn’t love watching YouTube clips of cats riding on a robot vacuum cleaner – or for those with a more robust sense of humour, enjoying the sight of one merrily driving through some spilled custard and spreading it all over the house? Fortunately, such things are rare, with the average Roomba (the leading brand) happily chugging around the home, keeping floors dust- and dirt-free without the need for any human intervention. AI-enhanced features enable these gadgets to learn the layout of your home, avoid obstacles, detect different floor types, and predict areas likely to need extra cleaning attention. Their suction power is moderate compared to handheld vacuums, so a scheduled daily clean will yield the best results.
9. Heating and Cooling
You may wonder what AI has to do with the device that keeps your home at a desired temperature – but if we recall that generative AI is all about analysing patterns, and that you and the other inhabitants of your home tend to move in predictable ways, then it becomes clear. AI-enhanced thermostats and/or air conditioning units can keep your home at the ideal temperature based on your routine and activities. For example, when everyone’s out, these devices can switch the heating or air-con off while it’s not needed, then turn it back on to reach a comfortable temperature before you return. With companion devices like smart thermostatic radiator valves, the heating in individual rooms can be adjusted based on how each space is used. Some devices can also adjust their settings if it is unusually warm or cold outside, or even if an open window is detected, to help improve your home’s energy efficiency.
10. TV and Streaming
The concept of a ‘smart TV’ has been around for a while, since televisions first linked to the internet, but the recent arrival of AI in our favourite entertainment devices makes them smarter still. In the era of standard def, hi-def and ultra hi-def programming, AI will maximise or moderate picture quality, contrast, brightness and other viewing aspects; it can integrate other devices; it can use language recognition for dubbed audio and subtitles; and it can tailor content and provide recommendations based on your viewing tastes and times. Personalisation via AI is widely used by streaming services. Those show cards and episode preview stills you see on apps like Netflix aren’t random – with the help of a machine learning algorithm, they are chosen specifically to appeal to you, based on your viewing habits and preferences.
11. Robot Lawnmowers
From spring through summer, the air is abuzz with the sound of lawnmowers, mostly petrol, mains or battery powered. A new arrival is the AI-powered robot mower, essentially your usual mower but without a handle. Mark out the edges of your lawn with wire and you’re good to go: it will emerge from its weatherproof kennel at programmed intervals, keeping your grass under control without the need for you to put your drink down and get off your deckchair (perhaps best avoided if your only source of physical exercise is that weekly mow, though.) Similar to the aforementioned vacuums, some models use AI to improve navigation and better detect obstacles to avoid, while some even adapt their mowing schedules depending on the weather.
12. Water Monitoring Systems
Water leaks, it gets too hot, it gets too cold, it runs out. We need the stuff on a constant basis, so it flows in and out of our houses all the time. An AI water monitor will ensure that the supply and quality is sufficient (and let you know when it isn’t) and keep it at the right temperature – and in the right quantity – for the needs of you and your family. From an eco point of view this makes total sense, as water saved means less stress on the supply system and less money spent on getting it into the house and heating it once it’s there. They can also detect and alert you to leaks, automatically shutting off the supply so you can get the problem fixed before major damage occurs.
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