| Smart Appliances and Devices |
From "Home Tech"
episode HTC-104 |
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Smart Appliances It's not exactlyThe Jetsons -- at least not yet -- but smart appliances are beginning to find their way into our lives. Don't be surprised if you find yourself talking to your kitchen appliances before long, or if you find that they talk back to you. Some ovens and microwaves already make use of voice-recognition technology. Spoken commands turn the unit on and tell it how long to cook, and at what temperature. These units also employ computer-screen-style menus rather than buttons and knobs (figure A). A dual-layer dishwasher allows you to wash dishes and glassware on a delicate cycle in one drawer while it simultaneously runs pots and pans on a scrubbing cycle in a second drawer (figure B). Laundry day has become more simplified through the use of touch-screen technology that offers a full menu of functions and options (figure C). Microprocessors ensure a controlled wash based on the type of clothes, and some models calculate the precise amount of water needed based on the size and weight of the load. Some washers control the temperature of the water with a built-in heater and replace the dirty water with filtered water as they wash the clothes. Some refrigerators now come with built-in computers (figure D) that work with a barcoding system. By scanning your grocery items as you put them away, the computer generates a shopping list based on the food you eat.
More Simple Solutions Smart appliances can be useful, or they may just be an expensive novelty. There are, of course, some devices that allow you some limited automation in your home without spending a lot of money. One of the simplest of all is powerline technology, which simply plugs into appliances and controls them by interrupting the power supply at preset times. Basic light-switch timers (figure E) are an example of this cheap but effective technology. Individual timers cost only a few dollars apiece, but they allow you to automate the on-off cycle of individual lights to help you save energy and make your residence appear occupied even when there's nobody home. Another simple solution is the garage-door keypad. Remote-control garage-door openers operate off a radio frequency. A garage-door keypad will allow you to operate your automatic garage door using the same frequency, but without the use of the remote control that you usually keep in your car. The keypad (figure F) permits you to set and use a security code to limit access for safety. The keypad is easy to install and program. Multifunction keychain remotes are another inexpensive device that can be very useful. They are individually programmable and able to send commands to a number of different remote-controlled devices. For example, a single remote on your key chain might be used to open your garage door, turn on your inside and outside lights and deactivate your security system just before you return home. Some can even be programmed to activate emergency health-alert systems for those whu subscribe to a health-alert service.
RESOURCES :
Home Sync
Home Sync
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: 303-406-6906
Website: www.gohomesync.com
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