How Builders Can Shape the Future of Smart Homes

With smart mirrors, toilets, and even fans hitting the market, smart homes jumping from niche to mainstream feels more like a “when” than an “if," and builders will play a pivotal role. According to experts in smart home trends, builders and real estate agents will be the guides for those who are previously unfamiliar with smart technology's integration into the home. But that does not mean that the home building industry should throw everything at consumers and see what sticks: Homebuyers want smart tech, but they do not want to pay extra. So to give their projects an edge, builders will have the best luck selecting products that are not just high-tech, but also ones that can protect the home or save homeowners money in the long run: Take leak detectors, which can help save on insurance, or solar panels, which are a way to cut down on utility bills.  

The Consumer Electronic Show of 2020 (CES) was another amazing display featuring over 170,000 guests crammed into Las Vegas to explore what’s next in the decade ahead.

When it comes to smart homes, there was almost no category unturned. Appliances, toilets, mirrors, garage openers, door locks, shower heads and security systems were all once again on display. All were connected, many could be voice activated, and it’s getting easier to see a future where fully integrated smart homes connect devices that work together to create a seamless and truly helpful holistic user experience.

One of the welcome trends at CES 2020 was a discussion about security and privacy. In a session titled, “2020 Trends to Watch Into the Digital Age,” Steve Koenig, vice president of research at CTA, suggested the Internet of Things (IoT) needed a rebrand to the “Intelligence of Things” for the decade ahead.

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