Experience Matters

Green + Wired = Better Living Experience

Wired.com was kind enough to invite me to the opening of the Smart Home at the Museum of Science and Industry last week. In three words, I can sum up the entire experience: Green is Amazing. And the fact that technology is enabling the efficiencies, makes it all the more amazing.

To-date, I’ve been doing my part to go green, by reducing my consumption habits – in many cases, making sacrifices to save energy and resources. While my quality of life hasn’t been compromised, I can honestly say that the standard of living hasn’t increased because I recycle or use my own bags at the grocery store. The Smart Home, however, is employing technology to make life better.

Here’s a list of some of my favorite technology used in the Smart Home:

Botanicalls (you can follow them on Twitter, too): Re-usable microchips are inserted into a potted plant’s soil. This chip will detect if the plant needs to be watered. If so, the plant will call you to let you know. The added bonus – you can choose the ‘voice’ of your plant.

Motorized skylights: When an outside wind is detected, a motorized skylight in the ceiling opens to cool down the home.

Ethanol burning fireplace by eco smartfire: This fireplace is ventless and mobile – take it anywhere in the home, or outside.

Security: When the doorbell rings, a touchscreen reveals a wireless video feed from the front entry.

Web-based systems: Let you check on your kids via video camera, turn on the lights or change the thermostat setting from anywhere. Because much of the system is wireless, it’s possible to retrofit older homes.

Follow Me TV by Motorola: This Motorola product allows you to digitally record your favorite shows from one TV and view it on any other in the home.

Of course we have a way to go, but you can’t help but love technology for what it’s doing for the enhancement of our day-to-day lives, as well as helping us save the planet.