Note: This is the first in a series of articles on the Samsung C&T Newsroom that will examine the ways technological innovations such as smart devices, the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced software, drones and robotics are currently transforming the world of housing, construction, fashion and leisure.
Imagine coming back home from a long day at work. You open the door, and the lights come on automatically, dimmed to your favorite level. A playlist of your favorite songs begins to play out of discreetly positioned speakers. The temperature in the apartment, as always, is perfect – not too warm, not too cold. Just the way you like it.
While hanging up your jacket, you enable your home security system with a simple voice command. A central display unit turns on, displaying all the day’s news you were too busy to catch up on while at work, as well as updates on how much food you have left in your fridge.
This might all sound like a scene from The Jetsons or a sci-fi fantasy series, but thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT), the smart home has already become a reality.
Gaining Momentum
Even if your home is not yet equipped with a gamut of smart, Internet-enabled devices, say experts, chances are it will be in the very near future. Better yet, they may all be built in to the next house you buy.
Some expert insist that smart homes will soon become capable of facial recognition. And that is not all. According to an article in Wired magazine, smart houses will soon be capable of adapting to individual residents’ needs, responding to biometric data including fingerprints, body temperature and even heartbeats.
It is not just the industry driving demand. Consumers are reading more about IoT and smart houses and liking what they see.
Cisco predicts there will be 50 billion Internet-connected devices in the world by 2020. And according to a recent MarketsandMarkets report, global home automation is expected to become a US$78.4 billion industry by 2022 – over double its projected market size this year.
After smart houses will come smart cities – entire interconnected neighborhoods replete with sensors that relay important information via the Internet. Carlo Ratti, professor at MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning wrote, “Our cities, covered with sensors and electronic networks, are turning into outdoor computers.”
Home Comforts
Samsung C&T’s Engineering and Construction Group is pioneering smart home trends, and has already applied aspects of smart home technology to its Raemian Seocho Estige S apartment complex in Seoul.
Each apartment in the 593-unit luxury development, slated to be unveiled at the end of this year, features the centralized Home Auto System, accessible via a living room-based display interface. This system allows residents to monitor security, control heating, regulate air conditioning and automate lighting.
The company will be introducing a one-pass initiative, Korea’s first wearable data entry system. From the moment they reach their apartment complex, residents can use their watch-like one-passes to open gates, call elevators and find their vehicles with both ease and security.
Samsung C&T will also make major changes to existing smart home systems, and will introduce a revamped mobile app that works in conjunction with new smart home systems.
Once residents reach their front doors, display units will welcome them with news, information and visuals customized to their individual tastes.
A Samsung C&T spokesperson explains, “We are pioneering the integration of IoT technology with housing culture. Raemian Seocho Estige S homes are equipped with a software system that provides residents with essential assistance.”
Safer, Greener, More Cost-effective
IoT developments have the potential to make smart houses greener and cheaper to run than conventional housing. Devices such as water- and energy-monitoring mechanisms will soon help homeowners optimize consumption. This could lead to lower bills and reduced carbon footprints.
The Samsung C&T-built Raemian Premiere Palace complex provides another example of how smart homes can help reduce household spending. Apartments here are fitted with the built-in Raemian Energy Management System (REMS), which provides energy usage notifications – allowing residents to better monitor and manage home power.
REMS also automatically blocks standby power when home appliances are not in use, cutting down on unnecessary power usage. Meanwhile, faucets are set to work on three pressure levels, so residents can manage the amount of water they release.
The Raemian Premiere Palace offers the Smart Manager HAS, a built-in smart security system. In the case of a break-in, the system automatically starts recording on a CCTV unit. Enhanced security is, according to many residents, driving interest in smart homes and IoT devices.
Into the Future
In our tech-rich, time-poor society, it only seems logical that our home environments should help rather than hinder us in the quest to live greener, happier and safer lives.
Stephen S. Intille, professor at the College of Computer and Information Science, Northeastern University, says, “Our homes will be automated to the level that we will rarely have to think about daily chores at all. People will be spending their time on leisure activities because digital and robotic devices will take care of the mundane tasks.”
As companies and governments all over the planet increase their investments in IoT and other high-tech R&D efforts, it should come as no surprise to see innovations coming thick and fast. Smart home experts are channeling these advances to create smarter ways to live in the digital era.
Smart life is not restricted to what is inside the house.
Technology is also driving the development of modern construction. In addition, it takes in industries such as fashion, where smart clothing is making style waves.
In the world of landscaping and leisure, too, smart design and technology is transforming experiences of both customers and leisure professionals.
Stay tuned to the Samsung C&T Newsroom as we explore the various ways technology-related breakthroughs are “smartifying” every aspect of modern life.
