Technology and gadgets in the home.
December 31, 2005 6:31 PM Subscribe
Home gadgetry. I'm trying to move away from web design and am interested in starting a business related to home technology solutions.
Think of a handheld kiosk that allows you to do everything from sending email, setting the oven on preheat at 425, or selecting a music playlist for a specific room of the house.
I'd like to hear your expereinces with related technologies and/or specific features you'd like to see in an ideal technologically savvy home.
Think of a handheld kiosk that allows you to do everything from sending email, setting the oven on preheat at 425, or selecting a music playlist for a specific room of the house.
I'd like to hear your expereinces with related technologies and/or specific features you'd like to see in an ideal technologically savvy home.
Frankly, this sounds like a bad idea for a fulltime investment. This idea is certainly not new, and not unuseful, yet many corporations and alliances have thrown money at it and failed. Could you put the money X10 has into this venture?
Maybe you could start small with a service like Rumple suggested, and if it works out, expand into the space where problems are in need of solutions. I mean no offense, if my tone sounds sour.
posted by kcm at 7:16 PM on December 31, 2005
Maybe you could start small with a service like Rumple suggested, and if it works out, expand into the space where problems are in need of solutions. I mean no offense, if my tone sounds sour.
posted by kcm at 7:16 PM on December 31, 2005
as kcm said, lots of things have been thrown against this wall, and not many have stuck yet (thrown by Microsoft, Panasonic, even academic monies).
If you don't have a "killer app" idea yet, what about focusing on a specific market? The elderly and the physically or (develop)mentally handicapped are all good ideas, but could/would/should be narrowed to, for example, quadrapilegics, memory-challenged, etc.
The potential in this path comes from its being an unmet need, rather than an attempt to create a need. Also, it will allow you to be much more tangible-gadget-oriented, with possibilities to work with more mechanical interactions.
The cost is the investment in getting to know and understand your target users/market, an absolute necessity for making the technical component a success. At the same time it is an opportunity to volunteer and develop connections, and may be an ideal way to step into the process as you move away from current projects and into this new goal.
posted by whatzit at 8:09 PM on December 31, 2005
If you don't have a "killer app" idea yet, what about focusing on a specific market? The elderly and the physically or (develop)mentally handicapped are all good ideas, but could/would/should be narrowed to, for example, quadrapilegics, memory-challenged, etc.
The potential in this path comes from its being an unmet need, rather than an attempt to create a need. Also, it will allow you to be much more tangible-gadget-oriented, with possibilities to work with more mechanical interactions.
The cost is the investment in getting to know and understand your target users/market, an absolute necessity for making the technical component a success. At the same time it is an opportunity to volunteer and develop connections, and may be an ideal way to step into the process as you move away from current projects and into this new goal.
posted by whatzit at 8:09 PM on December 31, 2005
Maybe this is too goofy, but when I lived in places with hot weather, I would have liked an automatic window opener/closer (like some greenhouses have). I could leave the windows open in the cool of the morning, then when the outside air temperature got hotter than inside, the windows would close automatically. For a bonus, an automatic curtain/shade/blind closer would have been a great addition. In the evening, when the outside temperature dropped lower than the inside, the windows and shades would open again. I didn't want to run the air conditioner unless the weather was super-hot, so cool(ish) breezes were precious. Hey, the high-tech home of the future is supposed to be awesomely energy-efficient, right?
posted by Quietgal at 8:36 PM on December 31, 2005
posted by Quietgal at 8:36 PM on December 31, 2005
The guy that can get rid of all the wires in stereo, computer, media centers is gonna make a bundle.
posted by phewbertie at 2:05 AM on January 1, 2006
posted by phewbertie at 2:05 AM on January 1, 2006
Not so much phewbertie. The guy who can put more wires made of "better quality" stuff (even when the connection is digital) will make more money. What a monster. Puns aside, wireless will never overtake wired technology when it comes to visual/aural technology due to the fact that it provides better quality.
Back to the question, I was wondering what the intent of the question actually is. Do you want to start a home automation solutions company? Or do you want to invent home automation solutions?
posted by mr.dan at 2:24 AM on January 1, 2006
Back to the question, I was wondering what the intent of the question actually is. Do you want to start a home automation solutions company? Or do you want to invent home automation solutions?
posted by mr.dan at 2:24 AM on January 1, 2006
I don't know how tied you are to the home aspect of your idea but consider making a product for small businesses. There's much more money there and it's a bit easier to break into than the home market.
posted by joegester at 4:30 AM on January 1, 2006
posted by joegester at 4:30 AM on January 1, 2006
One thing I've thought about doing myself, but obviously haven't: compete against ADT, Brinks, etc., by offering a security service on a different model.
No monthly charges. Self-control.
Put together the right equipment, and your house can call your cell phone or send you an email if there's a problem. An alarm goes off, you check a webcam and find that no, it's not a burglar, but your mother breaking into your apartment. (Fewer false alarms than with the service companies).
Several plusses for the consumer this way:
- no monthly bills
- only the amount of services/features that you want
- can be moved from residence to residence - not a permanent install
- can be installed in an apartment
- can be equipped with webcams and remote storage, to provide video evidence for later prosecution, if appropriate
- greater privacy, plus better security, as it is all self-controlled
The technology exists, it's just a matter of putting it together.
posted by yesster at 12:02 PM on January 1, 2006
No monthly charges. Self-control.
Put together the right equipment, and your house can call your cell phone or send you an email if there's a problem. An alarm goes off, you check a webcam and find that no, it's not a burglar, but your mother breaking into your apartment. (Fewer false alarms than with the service companies).
Several plusses for the consumer this way:
- no monthly bills
- only the amount of services/features that you want
- can be moved from residence to residence - not a permanent install
- can be installed in an apartment
- can be equipped with webcams and remote storage, to provide video evidence for later prosecution, if appropriate
- greater privacy, plus better security, as it is all self-controlled
The technology exists, it's just a matter of putting it together.
posted by yesster at 12:02 PM on January 1, 2006
If you haven't tried Sonos then do. I just got my four zone system set up and it's great. Beautifully designed hardware and software (although the boxes are a bit too big - like all US gadetry. Should've got a brit to design it).
I do think that homes will end up with integrated systems (music, lighting, heating etc.) but we're a way off mass acceptance yet I think.
posted by Glum at 3:20 PM on January 1, 2006
I do think that homes will end up with integrated systems (music, lighting, heating etc.) but we're a way off mass acceptance yet I think.
posted by Glum at 3:20 PM on January 1, 2006
Response by poster: Back to the question, I was wondering what the intent of the question actually is. Do you want to start a home automation solutions company? Or do you want to invent home automation solutions?
The solutions company. I would probably use what's already out there and give it more exposure on the sales & marketing sides.
posted by masymas at 9:57 AM on January 2, 2006
The solutions company. I would probably use what's already out there and give it more exposure on the sales & marketing sides.
posted by masymas at 9:57 AM on January 2, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
My sister (UK) has a washing machine that also dries the clothes, so you don't have to switch over.
The wired, automated home has been possible for a few years and it doesn't seem to be catching on much, does it?
posted by Rumple at 6:59 PM on December 31, 2005