During the pandemic, as the world went into lockdown, and we were confined to our homes – many of us adjusted, as we spent more time in isolation and working remotely. The modern home of the future, with the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), has made nearly everything in our lives more efficient and convenient.
Over the coming decade, smart homes will only become more advanced. And as we enter an era more a majority of the American population will soon enter retirement, having the best in smart devices at our disposal, will only enhance our at-home experience.
With an estimated 70 percent of surveyed adults 50 and older looking to age in their current homes. With smart sensors, medical alert systems, smart televisions, and security systems, the latest in innovative technology and consumer-based design are kickstarting a new era in smart living.
If you’re perhaps one of the many who missed the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) hosted in Las Vegas – then this list of the current smart home trends to look out for in 2022 is just for you.
Smart Sensors
From the dawn of the Amazon Alexa, and now the new updated Amazon Astro and Ring Always Home Cam – smart sensors and smart cameras have allowed us to constantly be present and aware of everything that goes on in our home.
These devices are not only playing a vital role in the security of our homes, it also helps us see when packages get delivered, keep an eye on our pets when we’re not around, or even monitor our health.
One such device is LifeFone, an in-home medical alert system and sensor that can detect carbon monoxide and smoke, acts as an activity assurance, and has additional fall detection technology.
Personal Emergency Response Systems, known as PERS use a combination of monitoring software and personalized health protocols. Through this, these devices can monitor when our routine has changed, remind us to take our medication, and help to communicate with carers and family in case of an emergency.
Health and Wellness
As we’re looking to spend more time at home during our golden years, our wellbeing and physical health should not fall victim to deterioration.
Smart home gyms are only becoming better, and more progressive. The Vitruvian Trainer+ makes it easy for anyone to gain muscle, and stay in shape. Eliminating outdated cast-iron weights, the trainer creates resistance to up to 440 pounds in one tight and sleek designed platform.
Home gyms aren’t the only rooms in your new smart house that are seeing major technological improvements. In the bedroom, motion sensors such as Next Hub are tracking your sleeping patterns. This way, you’ll be able to understand how your sleeping pattern adjusts when you’re stressed, overworked, or struggling to fall asleep.
Next Hub is one of a few motion sleeping sensors, with innovative manufacturers coming up with a plethora of new ideas and concepts to help us sleep better.
There’s also been some more activity around wearable smart medical alert systems that come in various shapes and sizes. LifeStation is one such device that can be worn as a neck pendant or a wrist button that automatically communicates with health carers in case of an emergency. Even more, the device can easily be connected to an Amazon Alexa as well.
Smart Security
Being a retiree, or aging at home might require you to adjust your security system a bit, not just for when you’re out, but also from when you’re at home.
The Bee, an autonomous security drone will give a bird’s eye’s view of your home, keeping you in the know of any potential intruders, or if you’ve accidentally left the gate open. The modern and sleek design makes it a bit bulky as compared to other smaller, and niftier drones – but one simply cannot compensate for the security of your loved ones, yourself, and your valuables.
If the drone seems a bit too extreme, the M-Pwr Smart Door is another invention that made headlines at CES this year. The smart door has a host of features, including a Ring doorbell camera, door-status sensor, advanced lock, and motion-activated LEDs. It gives you all the components of individual tech in one simple and sleek design.
There are of course devices such as the Ecobee which detects glass shattering, or any sudden and irregular movement that occurs in the house. The Ecobee is a compact little device, but one will still be required to place one or two of these devices around the house.
Home Entertainment
The home entertainment experience is one of the most important experiences for just about anyone. While we’re looking to spend a bit more time on the couch, using progressive software, we can enhance the whole home entertainment experience threefold.
Freestyle, the small portable projector got people talking at the CES. As a lightweight product, just under 2 pounds, the Freestyle can project a 100-inch display, while suspended on the table or ceiling. It also acts as a smart speaker or an ambient light fixture.
Connect your Spotify or Apple Music with the Bose SoundTouch 10 Music System, or make the home theater come to live with the Klipsch Reference Theater Pack, a fully integrated surround sound pack.
Zoom conference calls are also now a lot easier, with the Sony Bravia Cam set to release in the next few weeks. The device will in the near future become standard and built-in to all Sony’s high-end TVs. But currently, consumers can purchase the device separately and simply connect it to their smart home system.
The Takeaway
Smart homes and smart home devices are becoming increasingly popular among our senior consumers. As older individuals and consumers look to retire in place for the long term, setting up a place where some of the best smart technology can help improve health, safety, and overall well-being is a crucial aspect for an enhanced lifestyle during the golden years.
