NHBC predicts rise in ‘smart homes’

Research by the NHBC Foundation has found that smart home technology is set to rise from 11% today to 27% by 2020.

Smart technologies identified in the Connected Home report include:

• Door entry and security systems that are controlled by face recognition and alert parents when their children return home.
• Real time medical monitoring of the elderly – such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and sleep patterns – with a function to call an ambulance or alert the GP.
• Ovens with cameras that notify homeowners when their cake has risen.
• Toothbrushes that monitor oral hygiene and send alerts directly to the dentist if medical conditions are detected.
• Floors or stairs that can weigh homeowners, track activity and automatically ‘lock the biscuit cupboard’ if they are watching their waistline.

Neil Smith, head of research & innovation at NHBC, said: “Continual developments in technology over recent decades have transformed the way we work; they are also increasingly changing the way we live in our connected homes.

“The connectivity of homes will become more and more important in relation to people’s health and wellbeing. As our population ages, people will increasingly benefit from technologies that are able to monitor health and activity levels.

“Regardless of how smart technology develops, house builders should aim to provide the basic infrastructure for a good home network. Even simple measures at construction stage such as the installation of a couple of wired network points can reap rewards for residents now and in the future.”