The rise of smarthomes in Singapore

With technology advancing every day, eventually everything we use will be "smart". With everyday objects like phones, watches, appliances, cars ,and even clothes becoming technologically enabled, it will only be a matter of time before all our homes will too.

The definition of a smart object is that it can be connected to other devices or networks via different protocols such as Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, 3G, etc., that makes it interactive and autonomous. There are at present 26 billion devices that are connected to the Internet and by 2020, it is estimated that the number will rise to 30 billion.

Any device in the home that uses electricity can be put on the home network and at the owners' command. With the majority of devices able to communicate with each other, it leads to the Internet of Things - where all aspects of your home can be monitored and utilised for maximum enjoyment. Soon, Singaporeans will be able to enjoy their homes in ways never thought possible before.

Singapore is the perfect place for smarthomes

Singapore is the world top smartphone market per capita with 85% penetration rate - which means almost everyone has one to operate a smarthome. In fact, smartphones are also far more popular than computers, which are used by a reported 60% of Singaporeans.

It is actually hard for anyone to be caught offline. The island has excellent cell coverage from the telecommunications companies. There is widespread free WiFi, which was boosted for high demand areas like attractions and the central business district.

Finally, the market is ripe. With 90.5% of residents owning their homes in 2013, homeowners have more reason to upgrade their own residences. Nearly 80% Singaporeans uses 2 or more connected devices — the 4th highest in the world - Singaporeans are gadget-loving tech trendsetters who are ready for smart home automation.

The capabilities of smarthomes

Today, smarthomes see almost of its appliances, machines, and items being smart. For the price of a luxury bag or a premium watch, Singaporean smarthome owners avoid these common household problems:

Eventually, extreme smarthomes will include having a tuition teacher simulation that helps children with their homework and a butler artificial intelligence that cleans the household by controlling all the appliances. In time to come, the possibilities for smarthomes are endless and only limited by product designers' imagination and consumers' wallets.

Smarthomes will be everywhere

With global home automation estimated to reach 16.4 billion dollars by 2019, major technology firms building smart technology into everything, making all homes of the future smart or semi-smart.

Google recently paid 3.2 billion dollars for Nest Labs, which makes fire alarms and sophisticated thermostats that save energy and can detect whether people are at home or out. Samsung bought the US start-up SmartThings, which is developing apps to link up electric devices and household appliances, for a reported 200 million dollars.

Just like most things in life, having a smarthome is a choice. After spending a small fortune to buy a home in Singapore, upgrading to a smarthome is a renovation option just like changing the bathroom tiles. It is a lifestyle choice that is part sleek, part geek, and a whole lot of convenience.