There’s not much to get excited about in the Midwest. There’s a lot of gorgeous farmland and beaches, but technology? Not so much. When I had the opportunity to see a fully-functioning smart demo home just 90 minutes from my rural domain, I made a beeline for it. Located in a courtyard at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, the 2,500 square-foot home is packed with some amazing technologies. The goal of the exhibit is to demonstrate the advantages of incorporating green technologies, furnishings and other amenities into our households. That point came through loud and clear, but what also impressed me was how stylish green technologies can be. Here’s a sampling:
- By combining the controls for lighting, security and heating and cooling under one sleek screen mounted to the wall, the all-digital, high-definition touchpanel from Lifeware minimizes all the individual toggles and switches that ordinarily muck up a wall.
- A fireplace that can be moved where you need it most—now that’s a novel idea. The Ecosmart Vision vent free fireplace from Casamonte sports a contemporary style and burns ethanol, not fossil fuel.
- The sensors that measure the moisture level in the soil of the houseplants might not be much to look at, but they sure help the indoor vegetation maintain a healthy glow. The digital sensors from Botanicalls send out a voicemail when the plants need water.
- The light and fresh air that skylights introduce into a home will never go out of style, but what refreshing is how easy they can be to operate. Motorized units open and close on command from a remote control.