New research calls for homes of the future to be built with technology in mind…
The NHBC Foundation has warned new homes must take into consideration advances in technology.
The Internet of Things is already an industry that has seen monumental growth and is set to continue pioneering the digital world. In fact, the Internet of Things has a considerable role to play in homes, offering improved energy efficiency, greater health benefits, and better comfort for inhabitants. By 2020, it is expected smart home technology usage will increase from 11 per cent to 27.
In a report ‘The Connected Home’, the NHBC Foundation highlighted the benefits of utilising smart technologies that are capable of transforming the way people live. The report provides guidance for home builders regarding “future proofing” new homes by providing a small amount of additional hard wiring.
Some of the smart technologies that could become the norm in homes were identified in the report. The list included facial recognition for security systems, real time medical monitoring of the elderly, ovens with cameras, and toothbrushes that monitor oral hygiene and alert the dentist if problems are detected.
Neil Smith, NHBC’s head of research and innovation, said: “Continual developments in technology over recent decades have transformed the way we work; they are also increasingly changing the way we live in our ‘connected’ homes.
“Connectivity to the Internet at faster speeds is becoming more important, and something that we now expect as a matter of course in just the same way as the supply of other utilities such as water and electricity.
“The connectivity of homes will become more and more important in relation to people’s health and wellbeing. As our population ages, people will increasingly benefit from technologies that are able to monitor health and activity levels.
“Regardless of how smart technology develops, house builders should aim to provide the basic infrastructure for a good home network. Even simple measures at construction stage such as the installation of a couple of wired network points can reap rewards for residents now and in the future.”