Gadgets have become an inseparable part of our lives. The mobile phone for example, has only been around since 1973, yet it has already managed to become part of our everyday routine; so much so that we cannot imagine living in a world without it.
We have become so used to having technology around, that the concept of turning one’s residence into a ‘smart home’ is actually a welcome one. And with technology constantly evolving and improving, gadgets and other implements are adopting a sleeker, minimalist look. This results in many smart homes having a more futuristic, modern look.
If you are a fan of that visual style, below are some gadgets that can give your home a futuristic aesthetic.
Transparent TV
One gadget you will see in almost every home is the television. Yes, a TV is a common sight in homes, some condominium developers will even include this when selling condo units. But TVs can tend to dominate any living room, often dictating the layout or style of the room. This is especially true now that many TV units come with bigger and wider screens.
Coming hot off the heels of its Frame and Wall TV, Samsung is developing a new television unit that is essentially transparent. Their new product, dubbed “The Window ” will use transparent LED technology in order to create images. The technology they use is similar to the LEDs used to customize car and motorcycle lights, such as those from XK Glow.
Smart Glass
Another part of your home that you can use to generate a futuristic vibe are your windows. Not just windows, but any part of your home that may use glass. Technology has advanced to a point where glass can also be switched from transparent to translucent and back again.
Smart glass uses a liquid crystal film that is sandwiched between two glass panels. It’s connected to electricity and uses a switch to manage its opacity. This is perfect for homeowners who avoid curtains due to dust allergies.
Solar Roof Tiles
High tech gadgets don’t just make your home look futuristic, they can also help save the environment. A lot of older iterations of gadgets are often made with materials that not only use a lot of resources, but also become very difficult to breakdown. This is partly the reason why technological advancements get a lot of flack from eco-warriors.
Solar panels have evolved from clunky, rigid panels to actually being small and modular. Since solar technology has allowed for such an improvement, solar panels can now be used as roofing material. This results in a roof that not only provides protection from the elements, but also as an alternative energy source that can be used to power your home.
Interactive Walls
Roofs aren’t the only structure of a home that is getting the smart treatment. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Disney Research (yes, even Disney has an R&D department) have made breakthroughs in turning plain walls into a giant touchpad.
Using conductive paint and a custom sensor board, a wall can now be used to play video games, change the TV channel, and even tap the wall to turn light switches on and off. Their technology is still in the works, but it won’t be long before this technology will allow for full integration with other smart home essentials like smart speakers.
Technology is only getting better and better, and it won’t be long before our homes are fully integrated with gadgets that will make our homes look even more futuristic.
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