Written by Karen | 23/10/14 23:00
Previously on Fluidata’s blog we wrote about the Internet of Things and how in the future nearly every device we own will be connected to an online network. There are certain benefits to this type of system such as the fact that menial tasks will be dealt with automatically and efficiently, however at the same time there are concerns that if the system is compromised whole towns and cities could be affected.
Even though there are undoubtedly some risks associated with this new type of technology it’s not stopping large companies such as Toshiba pushing forward with the idea. In fact, just recently Toshiba revealed their new “Smart Home” concept – a home where technology is at the forefront and controls nearly every aspect of the property. The Smart Home was first debuted at Toshiba’s Fuchu Complex in Tokyo and going forward will be open to the public and feature some of Toshiba’s latest works.
Currently, the Smart Home is capable of monitoring its residents’ lifestyle patterns and then adapting certain technology such as heating systems accordingly. There are also sensors throughout the home that can monitor residents’ motions and then systematically alter air conditioning and lighting in certain areas throughout the house. All of this new technology will ultimately decrease the amount of power used throughout the home, saving residents money as well as decreasing environmental impact.
Toshiba’s goal with their new Smart Home technology is to improve energy, comfort and healthcare, which is why the home comes installed with its very own solar power system and a Home Energy Management System (HEMS). This type of technology is becoming increasingly popular around the world including here in the UK as companies such as British Gas are now offering their customers the ability to monitor their gas and electricity usage in real time in order to reflect how much energy certain items require and help them cut back on using these appliances if possible.
Governments have also been pushing for homes to be greener across the world which is why it is likely that we will see more companies such as Toshiba focussing on home management technology in the future. However, Toshiba is already taking things one step further as not only are they trying to help the environment while providing comfort to residents, they are also trying to improve people’s overall health.
Along with sensors, the Toshiba Smart Home is able to check the health of residents via wearable wrist bands. The home can detect residents’ overall health as well as their sleep patterns and can adapt its settings to provide ideal conditions for both sleep and wellbeing. Certain rooms also come equipped with a piece of technology called “Renecat” – a visible-light photocatalyst with deodorant and antimicrobial qualities which can improve the hygiene of any particular room.
Toshiba is already well-known in the technology sector as a producer of appliances such as televisions, laptops, home sound systems and more, all of which are included and controlled by the Smart Home. It even comes equipped with an autonomous vacuum cleaner meaning that residents will have one less thing to worry about!
New technology such as this can not only make the lives of thousands of people easier but also improve health and the environment as a whole. At Fluidata we believe that utilising technology in day to day life is an important for advancing societies and helping them become cleaner, healthier and more efficient. Some experts have said that they think the Internet of Things is a long way off, however as Toshiba has shown this technology is already possible and will only expand in the future.
If this technology does continue to expand it’s likely that companies will start to promote
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