Two things are more valuable than money: time and energy.
In fact, I’ve heard it said that money is just a medium that we use to exchange energy in the first place. This is why I love innovations that allow us to keep more of our most precious resources. When time and energy saving innovations make their way into the home, I can’t help but pay attention.
Here are the 5 home innovations that I’m keeping my eye on this year.
1. Charging countertops
DuPont’s wireless charging Corian countertops give us a glimpse into the kitchen of the future. These solid-surface countertops promise to charge your devices wirelessly, eliminating the need to be near a plug while charging. As soon as I heard about these countertops, I needed to learn more.
I checked out a few online reviews and I learned that the countertops are not actually a full charging service in their entirety but instead, have charging zones. Some older reviews report that Android phones are more compatible with charging countertops than iPhones however the newest gen of iPhones seem to be much better suited to wireless charging.
Imagine what this holds for the kitchen of the future! Wireless charging for small appliances like toasters or blenders? I have a feeling that DuPont’s concept is just the beginning.
2. Smart lock home deliveries
Back in 2017, Amazon announced Amazon Key. What is it? Here’s the description right from Amazon’s website:
The Amazon Key Smart Lock Kit enables keyless entry, guest access, and in-home delivery.
With the Amazon Key Smart Lock Kit, you can schedule access for guests, friends, and family, and remotely control your lock from any location. With the compatible camera you can watch motion videos or live stream of anyone who enters and exits your home. Prime members who live in eligible zip codes can receive in-home delivery of eligible Prime items.
Amazon Key is available in select cities throughout the US with no Canadian cities at the moment. For now, Amazon Key allows the company to drop off packages inside the user’s door. In the future though, this opens tremendous opportunities for Amazon to offer in-home services like house cleaning, dog walking or… residential real estate (?).
3. Smart speaker enabled home products
Smart speakers took off in a big way in 2018, with Google and Amazon neck and neck for the most popular product. Many tech publications are reporting that the smart speaker is the new smart phone. So, why is this product on my list of items to watch in 2019?
Home product companies have begun to integrate voice into their manufacturing. Take plumbing giant Kohler for example, with their latest toilet technology. Their Numi 2.0 toilet is Alexa enabled and is predicted to be compatible with Google Assistant later this year. They describe interacting with the product in a recent press kit:
“In the dark, as you walk up to Numi, the lid will open and treat you to a warm seat; when you walk away, it flushes and closes. Hassle-free for night time trips to the bathroom.
Use the app or remote to program personalized presets for different users, and you can use voice to access the preset/profile (in case you misplace the remote). There is probably a difference between you, your spouse, and your children when it comes to washing; this lets you easily program and select personalization using voice and app.”
While I’m all for innovation and progress, the Numi 2.0 is taking tech a little far for me. Perhaps I’ll wait until the Alexa wine chiller is released instead.
4. Tesla solar roof tiles
One of the most impressive home innovations that I’ve heard of in recent years is the Tesla solar roof. Made from shingle-sized glass tiles, the Tesla solar roof promises to offer all of the advantages of solar panels without sacrificing esthetics by placing large, obtrusive solar panels on your property. I love the look of this product and the solar-powered benefits that it offers users.
Tesla began taking deposits for product sales back in 2017 and customers have been patiently waiting ever since. According to a tweet by Elon Musk himself last Fall, shipments will be launched during the summer of 2019! I can’t wait to see this fascinating innovation move to the next steps. What an incredible step forward for the solar industry.
Fingers crossed that they’ve engineered this product to withstand our New Brunswick weather.
5. In-home electric vehicle charging stations
With the latest electric vehicles being released with increased ranges (the 2019 Nissan Leaf will run on electric power for up to 322 kms), electric vehicles are only destined for increased popularity over the next few years. Considering increased fuel costs at the gas station and the convenience of charging/fuelling at home, electric vehicles help conserve time, energy and money. What a powerful innovation.
While most electric vehicles can be charged through a standard 120V household outlet, NB Power offers a 240V charging station that will provide a must faster charge for your hybrid or electric car which can be easily installed by any certified electrician. Simple, right?
In Conclusion...
There you have it, the 5 home innovations that I’m following this year. Some of these innovations save us time. Some of these innovations save us energy. When it comes to innovation and new home technologies, there’s no denying that we often end up walking a line between increased convenience and decreased privacy. It’s up to the user to decide where to draw that line.
For early adopters, the convenience and status that comes along with being the first to try a new technology far outweighs the potential risks. For laggards, all of this technology is just too much. Where are you on that spectrum? Are you the first to try new tech? Do you prefer to wait it out?
While we may not have access to Amazon Key or Tesla Solar in southeast New Brunswick in the very near future, we do have access to very smart technology in some of our new construction communities.
If you’re thinking about a smart(er) home in 2019, why don’t you send me a DM? I’d love to help show you what’s possible.