1. Power and Energy

Power management and energy creation and storage have been around for decades, but with the recent surge in popularity for energy independence, the tax credits in the US from the Inflation Reduction Act and most recently, huge product releases from major manufacturers like Savant at CEDIA Expo 2022 in Dallas, power and energy are taking centre stage in the new world.

In the coming year implementation of power management and monitoring and energy generation and storage will surge as the demand for personal energy independence hits an all-time high.

2. Interoperability

With Matter 1.0 releasing this month, interoperability is on the tip of everyone’s tongue. What makes this topic so intriguing is that it will start to allow integration and better automation to be accomplished in homes in the future. The integration industry was partially built on finding ways to create interoperability by combining communication protocols across many platforms, a unified protocol can change everything from the direct-to-consumer product line all the way to the top with custom technologies.

We can expect manufacturers to start adopting the standard in not only direct-to-consumer products but also in the CI channel, which will allow faster, easier and more robust integration in homes and push system capabilities further.

3. AI

Any tech prediction list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning AI. Every year we are seeing exponential advances in this area as we get one step closer to singularity. Currently, in the residential integrator space, we are seeing some pretty amazing AI tech happening in a few areas, none more impressive than video, voice recognition and location awareness. Having external video cameras that can detect objects, people, animals, unusual behaviour/body movements and also facial recognition while, internally being able to sense the location of occupants.

The next stage inthe  evolution of AI in the home will incorporate robots that can follow or come to you, bringing with them the video and voice AI, taking independent living, security and comfort to a whole new level.

Additionally, AI will not only automate systems in the home but also act and do things proactively based on sensors and data collected from all areas inside and outside of the home. Creating a healthy, safe and thoughtful home that requires very little input from the occupants.

4. Immersive Entertainment Spaces and AR

Expect two different types of immersive experiences in the home. The first will be dedicated immersive spaces with floor-to-ceiling video and high-performance immersive sound. This space will have traditional uses such as movies, music, games and simulators but additionally exercise, meditation and even work and remote presence, where you will be able to see others in the space as if they were standing in front of you.

The other type is the exact opposite: using Augmented Reality to turn any space into an entertainment space. AR technology will hit a new level of quality and ease of use, allowing people to wear glasses throughout the home and see virtual devices such as TVs and control interfaces appear throughout the home, controlling them with gestures and voice commands. Any home can have entertainment in any room without the need for infrastructure.

5. Technology with purpose

The industry is hitting a new level of maturity and technology in the home, and those designing and selling systems, will have purpose and meaningful impact for the customer. Motivations will move away from ‘tech for tech’s sake’ and towards tech for a purpose and to make a difference of the lives of those inside the space. This will extend through not only the subsystems that integrators generally manage, but through all areas of the home including air, water, energy, power, appliances and even building materials.