Two insightful quotes spring to mind when considering the place of the smart home in history and society:
No man is an island
and
If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants
Everyone has a place in the network of relationships that is our culture and society, and so do the smart homes that serve them. These places are defined by the evolution of smart homes through history, as innovators take inspiration from the scientists, technologists and creatives that went before them.
This article looks into how this development happened, reviewing the social structure we are left with today and pointing to several other blog articles where you can view the topics in more depth.
Smart Homes and Society
Smart home technologies are not just transforming individual households. They are also having a broader impact on culture, wellbeing, employment, and crime prevention across society.
Drawing a parallel with the 19th-century technological revolution, our smart homes and society article highlights how early domestic innovations brought about social uplift by freeing up time and improving living standards. Similarly, smart homes today are beginning to shape society by enabling greater access to luxury and culture. Automation of household tasks provides people with more leisure time, which they can use to engage in cultural experiences, such as enjoying media through home cinemas or exploring other interests that were previously time-restricted.
One of the most significant societal benefits of smart homes, the article argues, is their potential to alleviate stress. In a country where stress and anxiety are at crisis levels, with 74% of people feeling overwhelmed, the reduction of day-to-day burdens through automation offers relief. By simplifying chores and improving household management, smart homes contribute to better mental health—at a time when stress-related illnesses are costing the UK billions annually.
Smart homes are also opening up promising employment opportunities. As automation becomes more mainstream, demand for skilled professionals to install, manage, and maintain smart systems is growing. This is particularly relevant in light of AI's predicted impact on the workforce, with PwC estimating that 30% of jobs may be affected by the mid-2030s. The smart home sector, projected to grow from $154.4 billion in 2024 to $338.28 billion in 2030, presents a valuable avenue for job creation and reskilling in response to AI-driven displacement.
Crime prevention is another area where smart homes are making a difference. With the rise of smart security systems—such as video doorbells and access control devices—law enforcement agencies are leveraging this technology to fight and solve crimes. The UK, in particular, has begun incorporating these tools into policing strategies. From helping convict burglars to providing key evidence in serious cases like murder, smart home footage is proving effective. While privacy concerns remain, the technology is already reshaping the landscape of crime prevention.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes that smart homes are not isolated tools for personal convenience, but part of a larger societal evolution. They have the potential to foster a safer, healthier, and more enriched society—proving that in a connected world, even our homes can play a role in collective progress.
Smart Homelives Worldwide
Smart home technology is being embraced and adapted in different ways across different countries, reflecting and enhancing unique cultural traditions and lifestyles. Rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, home automation proves versatile in its ability to integrate into various societal contexts.
In the Netherlands, smart homes complement the cultural practice of Niksen, the Dutch art of doing nothing consciously. In a society that values mindful relaxation, home automation offers a way to delegate chores and create do-not-disturb environments, allowing individuals to fully embrace stillness and decompress. By removing background stress and daily responsibilities, smart technology supports the Netherlands' pursuit of happiness through purposeful rest.
In Colombia, smart home tech enhances a deeply rooted culture of frequent, elaborate celebrations. From birthdays to returns from trips, any occasion can be an excuse for a fiesta, with dynamic decorations and lighting. Smart lighting, scene creation, and automated sound systems make setting up themed parties quicker and easier. These tools save time and money while elevating the festive atmosphere. With up to 18 public holidays and a national pride in vibrant decor, smart home systems are a natural fit for Colombian lifestyles.
In Ethiopia, despite increased wealth and space due to rapid economic growth, the tradition of shared living continues to thrive. Families value communal spaces and activities over personal solitude. Smart home technologies can enhance this way of life by offering communal experiences like smart home cinemas and media rooms. Additionally, space-saving innovations—from smart kitchen appliances to automated blinds—help maximize shared spaces while maintaining functionality and comfort in multi-generational homes.
In the USA, smart homes align seamlessly with the entertainment-focused culture, particularly around sports. Major events like the Superbowl have become cultural rituals, with people gathering in homes to watch games on large screens. Home cinemas and advanced AV systems enhance the experience, making smart home setups essential for anyone wanting to host the ultimate sports night. With manufacturers capitalizing on this demand through strategic sales, the U.S. has become a leader in smart home entertainment tech—offering inspiration for other countries looking to elevate their viewing traditions.
In conclusion, smart home technology is far from culturally neutral—it adapts to and enhances the lifestyles of people around the globe. Whether supporting relaxation, celebration, togetherness, or entertainment, these innovations demonstrate their value in diverse and meaningful ways, offering a tailored approach to modern living across continents.
A Smart History of Home Automation
The history of home automation spans well over a century, evolving from early electrical innovations to the sophisticated smart homes of today. It began in 1890 with the invention of the automatic water heater, a device that regulated water temperature using a gas valve and later timers. This was one of the first automated domestic appliances, heralding a wave of labor-saving inventions like washing machines and dishwashers, which drastically reduced household workloads and transformed modern living.
By the 1960s, automation expanded into commercial buildings, with systems using electric currents to signal faults and manage operations. Landmarks like the New York Stock Exchange adopted central computer hubs, increasing efficiency and contributing to a boom in trading volumes. This era laid the groundwork for digital control systems in buildings.
In 1975, home automation truly took root with the development of X10 by Pico Electronics in Scotland. X10 allowed household appliances to be controlled via a single-chip computer, transmitting digital signals over existing electrical wiring. This innovation enabled remote and timed control of devices and set a precedent for future smart home protocols.
As more companies entered the market in the 1990s, the need for a universal, interoperable standard became clear. In 1999, this led to the formation of the KNX Association, merging earlier protocols to create a unified, open standard for smart home integration. This enabled diverse devices from different manufacturers to work together seamlessly, greatly improving consumer experiences.
The 2000s witnessed a transformative shift with the widespread adoption of Wi-Fi, which replaced unreliable radio and wiring-based communication. Wireless networking allowed smart devices to connect easily, securely, and efficiently. This ushered in a new age of practical and scalable home automation.
Between 2011 and 2016, voice assistants emerged, changing user interaction dramatically. IBM's Watson won Jeopardy! in 2011, showcasing machine learning and voice processing potential. This inspired products like Apple’s Siri, Google Now, Microsoft Cortana, and most notably Amazon Alexa and Echo, which brought voice-activated smart hubs into mainstream homes.
From 2014 to 2024, the smart home industry exploded. With strong foundations in wireless communication, standardisation, and open-source software, the sector grew rapidly—from $11 billion in 2014 to $160 billion in 2024. Forecasts suggest this could rise to $223 billion by 2027, highlighting home automation’s massive growth and ongoing potential.
Today’s smart homes are the result of over 130 years of technological progress, combining convenience, efficiency, and innovation in ways early inventors could scarcely have imagined.
Explore the century long journey here.
16 Film Forecasts for Smart Home Technology That Were Bang-On
This article explored how classic sci-fi films and TV shows anticipated today’s smart home innovations with remarkable accuracy. It reflects on the nostalgic fun of watching once-fantastical ideas come to life through modern technology—especially during the festive season when memories and dreams often collide.
The Jetsons, a standout example, foresaw a range of smart home technologies as far back as 1962. Their futuristic world included voice-controlled assistants like Rosie the Robot Maid, smart control panels in every room, flat-screen TVs and home cinemas, robotic vacuum cleaners, video calling, and even spy drone-style smart security. Many of these have since become realities.
Star Trek also made several prophetic predictions. The series introduced the idea of voice-activated virtual assistants, much like today’s Alexa and Siri, as well as universal translators—now seen in multilingual digital assistants. The show’s handheld touchscreen tablets strongly resemble modern iPads, and its use of biometric ID for security is now common in smart devices and home systems.
Beyond these, the article covers other sci-fi classics. Star Wars and Rosum’s Universal Robots envisioned robotic service assistants, and although today’s versions are less humanoid, smart homes now feature devices that serve food, make drinks, and assist with translations. Furthermore, Dick Tracy’s smartwatch with video calling was well ahead of its time Apple Watches by decades.
Delwing into smart car technology. In James Bond: Tomorrow Never Dies, Bond remotely operates his car—a precursor to today’s remote start and unlock features. I, Robot introduced the concept of self-driving cars, an idea originally predicted by Isaac Asimov. While real-world autonomous driving has faced setbacks, partially automated vehicles like Knight Rider’s K.I.T.T. offer a more realistic hybrid future, blending AI and human driving.
While not every sci-fi forecast has hit the mark, many from the 50s to 70s were impressively accurate. Shows like The Jetsons, Star Trek, and Star Wars are worth celebrating! They are great examples of how yesterday’s fiction is becoming today’s reality.
See the list and celebrate here
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