The rise of 'smart homes' in South Africa

In recent years, South Africa has witnessed a surge in the adoption of smart technology, revolutionising how people interact with their living spaces and their homes. From enhancing convenience to promoting sustainability, smart homes are reshaping the real estate landscape in the country.

Growing 'smart' home industry in South Africa

The smart home industry in South Africa is experiencing exponential growth, driven by technological advancements and increasing consumer demand for connected living solutions. 

The proliferation of smart home upgrades offers homeowners opportunities to improve their living experience while achieving energy efficiency and cost savings. With a wide range of options available, from smart mirrors to AI security cameras, homeowners can tailor their solutions to suit their needs and budgets.

Budget-friendly upgrades

If you're looking to dip your toes into the world of smart homes without breaking the bank, several budget-friendly options are available to you:

• Smart plugs
  
  Smart plugs offer a versatile and affordable way to transform standard electrical outlets into smart outlets, allowing for remote control and the automation of devices.
  
  Common use cases for smart plugs include controlling lamps, fans, coffee makers, heaters, and other small appliances. They provide a cost-effective way to add smart functionality to various devices without the need for specialised smart versions of each appliance. Additionally, smart plugs are relatively simple to set up, making them a popular choice for those new to smart home technology.

• LED bulbs
  
  Similar to smart plugs, upgrading to intelligent LED bulbs or lighting systems can enhance energy efficiency and contribute to cost savings over time. Some of the other benefits LED bulbs boast are a range of colour options, instant illumination unlike incandescent light bulbs and an eco-friendly nature.
  
  
  FOTO-RUHRGEBIET - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Emerging 'smart' innovations:

Looking ahead, the future of smart home innovations in South Africa is brimming with exciting possibilities. Here are some of the emerging 'smart' innovations kicking up a storm, specifically within the context of the home and the artificial intelligence landscape:

• Humane AI Pin
  
  Imran Chaudhri, designer and innovator, has worked at Apple for two decades creating some of the world's most beloved consumer products such as the Macintosh, Apple iPad, iPod, iPhone and Apple Watch. Chaudhri is joined by Bethany Bongiorno, Director of Software Engineering at Apple. 
  
  Together, Chaudhri and Bongiorno envision a future that is more intelligent and personal and this led to the birth of Humane, a groundbreaking and unique wearable gadget immersed with artificial intelligence capabilities. Humane's Ai Pin project was announced on 10 November 2023 and is now available to order as of 2024.
  
  
  Source: https://humane.com/aipin

• Amazon Alexa
  
  AI-powered virtual assistants, such as Amazon Alexa, are expected to become more contextually aware, providing intuitive interactions and personalised home recommendations.
  
  Alexa can play your favourite song, read the latest headlines, dim the lights in your living room, and more. Basically, Alexa wants to make your life easier, more meaningful, and more fun by helping you voice control your world-both at home and on the go.
  
  
  
  Source: Amazon Echo Dot Smart Speaker

• AI Surveillance
  
  AI Surveillance is a local South African business revolutionising the way that we monitor and protect our homes through camera footage. AI Surveillance learns the normal behavioural patterns of your monitored environment to enable it to only alert when unusual behaviour is detected and reduces monitored footage by more than 95%. Their software is overlaid with rules-based technology, including virtual tripwires and moving target indicators.

• Affirmations Mirrors
  
  We've all heard about the fridge of the future that tells us when our milk is off or we're running out of butter. And most of us have 'wearables' that tell us about our body temperature, step count, and wellness levels.
  
  Now, welcome a truly multifunctional mirror, the Affirmations Mirror, that creates a new class of 'lookables' - designed to help you see so much more than yourself - with a reflective surface that features dimmable LEDs, Bluetooth phone connectivity, high-quality sound, temperature display, time display, touch function, soundtrack skipping and volume control. Oh, and an energy-efficient demister pad with a 30-minute auto-off function.
  
   

With a growing emphasis on sustainability, technological innovation and the use of artificial intelligence, smart home upgrades offer homeowners the opportunity to enhance their living experience while contributing to a more energy-efficient and cost-effective future. Stay ahead of the ever-evolving technological curve, whether you invest in LED bulbs or voice assistant technologies. Transform your living, one gadget at a time. 


Source: https://kreafolk.com/blogs/articles/smart-home-all-you-need-to-know-about-technologic-homes

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