Smart Appliances

From Isopedia

1 Historical Information
2 Technical Information
3 References
4 Team Members

Historical Information

The idea of smart appliances has been around for 20 years; however, in August 2000, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, AHAM, created Smart Appliance Task Force to formulate a standard for networked home appliances. Smart appliances were able to take off because of new efficient Internet servers that allow continuous and inexpensive Internet connections with increased speeds. By 2001 appliance manufacturers were actively developing smart appliances. General Electric and Microsoft formed a joint venture called GE Smart, which began focusing on building heavily networked homes. In early 2002, AHAM had written a draft standard for smart appliances called “Connected Home Appliances-Object Modeling” that was approved as an American National Standard in 2003. It is estimated that within five years Smart technologies will be embedded in almost every appliance in the home. Today, mostly conventional appliances are sold in stores but if smart appliances develop a proven track record and lower in price, they will become more widely available in mainstream consumer outlets such as home improvement and electronics stores.

Technical Information

Smart appliances are products that have enhanced capabilities and the ability to access the Internet. The devices are specialized for accessing the Web and/or email and plugs into a telephone jack or LAN connection for Internet hookup. Portable smart appliances use a wireless connection to the Internet. Smart appliances provide additional features and information that can make life easier for example, special home security systems and heating and cooling systems that require minimal human interaction. One of the problems with the techniological advances, is that there is a lack of pervasive high-speed internet infrastructure. This issue is the biggest barrier to the mainstream of smart appliances. However, it makes sense for household appliances to be wired so that utility companies can scale energy consumption more easily. Although another huge problem with the technical advances of Smart Household appliances, is that there needs to be a network infrastructure already built into the home. It would be really expensive and time consuming to try to build the infrastructure in already developed homes. GE Smart is looking to focus on building homes that are heavily networked throughout all the appliances; perhaps people want their ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers talking to each other. If these homes get developed, the would probably sell in the $300,000 range.