Game-Changing Devices and The Future of Smart Homes

Technology has become almost autonomous in recent years, and it shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. From self driving cars and in-home assistants to regular devices that have been upgraded to predict your needs and provide more to consumers, artificial intelligence and smart tech has upended the way we live our lives on a day to day basis. We rely so heavily on these devices because they are so good at their jobs, from protecting our home from intruders to providing high-quality entertainment, it’s clear that the idea of interconnectivity throughout our home (and all of our devices) isn’t going away any time soon. In fact, it only seems to be growing with each passing day.

To get a better idea of which companies and startups are disrupting the smart home industry, the team over at The Zebra took a look at twelve of the biggest companies in the past few years. By analyzing their products, what purpose they serve consumers, and how much money the companies have raised, they were able to conclude the impact the company had on the industry. No matter if they succeeded as a startup or not, these products have transformed the way we look at our homes and opened doors for creativity and innovation to take center stage in terms of how we look at tech in the home.

Once they determined the most popular companies and products currently on the market, they were able to make predictions about what smart home features we can expect to see in the coming years. Based off sales, engagement and innovation, these are a few or the tech items or trends you can expect to take over in the next few years:

• Voice control has been a rising topic over the past few years, as smart speakers such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home have been touted for their ability to make homeowners lives easier. Plus, their connection capabilities with a variety of devices means that consumers can control all the smart devices in their home with just a touch of a button.

• Appliance connectivity is the idea that traditional appliances will soon be able to be controlled via smart phones and computers. Furthering the idea of mobile access and control, appliance connectivity means that consumers will be able to turn off and on devices from across the globe, ensuring their homes safety and providing a convenient way to get their favorite devices running before they even get home.

• Homeowner data sharing is already taking place in minimal forms in modern society, with apps like August letting homeowners provide others with electronic keys to enter their home when they aren’t around. This helps to not only ensure the safety of their home and their families, but provide extra security by preventing an actual key to their house getting in the hands of someone that could harm or rob them. But the future of homeowner data sharing is much more complex than that, as neighborhoods look to integrate their homes data to make smart decisions based on energy usage.

As technology continues to evolve to help make our lives more convenient as well as more connected, it’s important to protect the devices that help your lives go more smoothly. Investing in comprehensive home insurance is a great way to keep these expensive gadgets protected, so that you can focus on appreciating how far technology has come and looking forward to the integrated ideals of the future. Take a look at the infographic below for inspiration on how to make your home more connected, and to get a better understanding of just exactly who is behind some of the greatest inventions in the smart home market.