SmartHouses: myKit
WHY
As much as we want it we’re not yet living in a futuristic fantasy world, so even though technology is developing very fast, sometimes retrofitting and giving more purpose to ordinary “dumb” things is more efficient. Using “dumb” things in a more “smart” way is also easier for humans to get used to, it seems safer and familiar; it is also a great way to give more tech opportunities for people who cannot afford a lot of smart gadgets. Finally, we can also review the system as a lego construction, where separate parts are easier to replace, rather than repair the whole system or appliance.
HOW
To create a custom smart home system featuring ordinary objects you should need a special Smart Kit. It needs to include:
— a hub for tracking and communication devices/received commands
— a number of smart universal controllers and/or smartphone controls
— controller extensions using different conductive materials
The system should also be tracked/configured on a smartphone/app and website in a way similar to configuring a router but more user-friendly and intuitive. Neighboring hubs can share information, based on security preferences.
WHAT
Hubs, similar to the proposed solution, already exist, for example, Logitech Harmony. A hub is needed to communicate with all appliances and tech in the apartment that has the ability to receive such control signals.
Controllers contain a display technology, simple signal transmission/receiving technology and possible energy harvesting for power up (since their functions are limited and don’t require a lot of power usage). Controllers are supposed to be as thin as possible and might stick to surfaces (example technology: Window Solar Charger, that is able to stick to windows to charge). The controllers display uses either a E Ink technology or OLED technology — both are thin and bendable and give possibility to customize controllers to user’s liking, both should also require minimal energy usage due to limited functions. They should also use capacitive or inductive touch screen sensing.
Controllers might have potentional extensions made of conductive materials: conductive threads and textiles (including rugs and wallpaper).
Controllers contain a display technology, simple signal transmission/receiving technology and possible energy harvesting for power up (since their functions are limited and don’t require a lot of power usage). Controllers are supposed to be as thin as possible and might stick to surfaces (example technology: Window Solar Charger, that is able to stick to windows to charge). The controllers display uses either a E Ink technology or OLED technology — both are thin and bendable and give possibility to customize controllers to user’s liking, both should also require minimal energy usage due to limited functions. They should also use capacitive or inductive touch screen sensing.
Controllers might have potentional extensions made of conductive materials: conductive threads and textiles (including rugs and wallpaper).
Future potential extensions might include technologies like Light Touch to project menus on surfaces and track motion on them, but at the moment the devices are too big for a compact home controller, that should be as unnoticeable as possible.
