A few hundred years ago, the idea that you could do all your washing by machines would have seemed like alien technology. Now, most homes have dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers, freeing us up to relax after the working day by watching television or completing some other hobby. With technology advancing to the degree it has, we are now anticipating more additions to the home, making life as convenient as possible. For example, in the 1950’s the average time a person would spend on household chores through the week was an arduous 57 hours, compared to today where the average time spent is only 208 hours a year! Future advances, such as those listed below, aim to reduce this time further, allowing future generations to have more free time to work or pursue personal goals.
Smart Windows
There may be a day very soon where there is no need for blinds and curtains. Smart windows have been developed which are capable of being dark or transparent depending on the user’s preference at the time. The technology revolves around materials that have electrochromic qualities. Electrochromic describes materials that change colour when a voltage is applied, in this case t,he electricity would cause the window to darken. The user will not just be able to decide between on or off either, the window can transition through various degrees of darkness depending on the voltage applied, meaning that your windows could let, block and dim the natural light outside.
Smart Cookers
If like me you’re not terribly gifted in the kitchen and often find yourself recycling recipes, then this next piece of futuristic technology will be right up your street. In less than ten years, there will be smart cooking units which will allow users to access the internet, including social media, in order to bring up recipes and instructions within the cooking area. This is relatively simple technology compared to other futuristic home technologies as it is centred around touch-screen tech and the internet, which most of us already carry in our pockets on a daily basis.
Bathroom GP
A final feature of the future home comes in the form of a 24/7 doctor in your bathroom. By 2030, you can expect to have sensors within your toilet that will be able to test your biological readings and pick up serious problems such as kidney malfunction. The technology will also be able to pick up on less serious things. The results would then be displayed on a smart bathroom mirror which might make suggestions for the upcoming day depending on the results of its tests, advising you to drink more water, for example.
