AI-powered appliances and apps are making our homes smarter and more efficient.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way we live, and our homes are no exception. AI-powered appliances and apps are becoming increasingly common, and they offer a wide range of benefits, from making our homes more convenient to helping us save energy.

AI Controlled Homes

I still remember as a little kid when our family got a television with a remote control. It was pure magic. Then, the movie Back to the Future 2 had iconic suave smart aleck Marty McFly’s 2015 family of the future taking full use of AI, from taking emergency Zoom-styled meetings with the boss on the smart TV to their indoor garden of hanging, edible plants that drop from the ceiling on verbal command, and my favorite, the instant fresh pizza from the food hydrator.

And of course, the family are all distracted, with many wearing VR goggles at the dinner table unable to sit and interact due to endless forms of entertainment, much like the iPhones and smart phones of today.

AI Home Appliances for Luxury and Convenience

We may not have our very own Black and Decker Hydrator just yet, but we still have some pretty cool stuff that reflects what some very smart people like Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis projected we’d have by now all the way back thirty years ago.

The Smart Thermostat

One of the most popular AI-powered appliances is the smart thermostat. Smart thermostats can learn your habits and adjust the temperature of your home accordingly, which can save you money on your energy bills.

They can also be programmed to automatically adjust the temperature when you’re away from home, so you don’t have to worry about wasting energy.

And, the control they provide is so nice that it’s a pleasant change from yelling out non-stop “turn down the thermostat, we’re trying to save money!” Now, AI prevents those little family in-fights before they happen.

One popular and versatile exmaple of a product is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat – Programmable Smart Thermostat for Home – 3rd Generation- Works with Alexa for under $200.

With automatic geo-fencing, it knows to make the air your preferred temperature according to your preferences throughout the day, but automatically adjusts to your favorite settings upon your entry to the home, regardless of the time of day.

This app is great for conserving energy in addition to other ways to save money on your electricity bills we’ve covered on our site.

The Smart Security Camera/Doorbell

Another popular AI-powered appliance is the smart security camera. Smart security cameras can use AI to detect motion and send you alerts if they see something suspicious. They can also be used to track your pets or children’s movements.

One such example is Amazon’s Ring Video Doorbell Pro, which has the following features to make remote home security operations possible:

• 1080p HD video: The Ring Video Doorbell Pro records in 1080p HD, so you can see visitors in clear detail.
• Night vision: The Ring Video Doorbell Pro has night vision, so you can see visitors even in low light conditions.
• Two-way talk: The Ring Video Doorbell Pro has a built-in microphone and speaker, so you can talk to visitors from your phone or tablet.
• Motion detection: The Ring Video Doorbell Pro can detect motion and send you alerts when someone is at your door.
• Pre-roll recording: The Ring Video Doorbell Pro records a few seconds of video before motion is detected, so you can see what happened leading up to an event.
• Cloud storage: The Ring Video Doorbell Pro stores recorded videos in the Ring cloud, so you can access them from anywhere.
• Works with Alexa: The Ring Video Doorbell Pro can be used with Alexa-enabled devices, so you can use your voice to answer the door or view live video.

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro is a great way to keep an eye on your home and protect your family. It’s easy to install and use, and it offers a variety of features that can help you stay safe and secure.

In addition to appliances, there are also a number of AI-powered apps like Alexa from Amazon that can make our homes smarter. These apps can also help you control your lights, locks, and other smart home devices from your phone from a central hub.

Amazon Alexa

Amazon Alexa is a virtual assistant developed by Amazon. It is available on a variety of devices, including the Amazon Echo smart speaker, the Amazon Fire TV, and the Amazon Kindle.

• Alexa can be used to control smart home devices, play music, get news and weather updates, set alarms, and much more.
• Alexa is powered by artificial intelligence (AI). This means that it can learn and adapt to your individual preferences. The more you use Alexa, the better it will understand your needs.
• Alexa is constantly being updated with new features and capabilities. This means that it is always getting smarter and more useful.

Here are some examples of what you can do with Amazon Alexa AI:

• Control your smart home devices: You can use Alexa to control a wide range of smart home devices, such as lights, thermostats, and door locks. For example, you can say “Alexa, turn on the lights” or “Alexa, set the thermostat to 72 degrees.”
• Play music: You can use Alexa to play music from a variety of sources, such as Amazon Music, Spotify, and Pandora. You can also ask Alexa to play specific songs, albums, or artists.
• Get news and weather updates: You can use Alexa to get the latest news and weather updates. For example, you can say “Alexa, what’s the news today?” or “Alexa, what’s the weather like?”
• Set alarms and timers: You can use Alexa to set alarms and timers. For example, you can say “Alexa, set an alarm for 7:00 AM” or “Alexa, set a timer for 15 minutes.”
• Get directions: You can use Alexa to get directions. For example, you can say “Alexa, how do I get to the nearest coffee shop?”
• Translate languages: You can use Alexa to translate languages. For example, you can say “Alexa, translate ‘hello’ in Spanish.”
• Tell jokes: Alexa can tell jokes. For example, you can say “Alexa, tell me a joke.”

These are just a few examples of what you can do with Amazon Alexa AI. As Alexa continues to evolve, there will be even more things you can do with it.

To have your very own Alexa at home, you’ll need to download the Alexa app first. Then, you’ll need a compatible Alexa device.

As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more AI-powered appliances and apps in our homes in the future. These devices will help us make our homes more convenient, efficient, and secure.

List of Home AI Appliances

Here’s a more complete list of manufacturers of AI home appliances and apps to make control over your home more convenient.

• Smart thermostats: Nest Learning Thermostat, Ecobee Smart Thermostat
• Smart security cameras: Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera
• Smart light bulbs: Philips Hue, LIFX
• Smart locks: August Smart Lock Pro, Yale Assure Lock SL
• Smart home hubs: Amazon Echo, Google Home
• Smart home apps: SmartThings, IFTTT, Yonomi

And of course, we can’t forget about smart mops.

The Top 5 AI Mops and Floor Cleaners in 2023

These are just a few examples of the many AI-powered appliances and apps that are available today. As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more of these devices in our homes in the years to come.

Are AI-powered Home Appliances and Apps Truly Safe and Secure?

However, while AI apps and appliances stand to provide added convenience to our homes, there are some potential issues with using AI home control devices like Alexa regarding security, reliability, and privacy that you should know about.

Security

• Data breaches: AI home control devices collect a lot of data about your home and your habits. This data could be stolen by hackers, who could then use it to impersonate you, break into your home, or even control your devices remotely.
• Malware: AI home control devices could be infected with malware, which could then be used to spy on you, steal your data, or even take control of your devices.
• Voice commands: AI home control devices are activated by voice commands. This means that someone could use your device without your knowledge or consent if they are close enough to hear your voice commands.

Reliability

• Connectivity issues: AI home control devices rely on a strong internet connection to function. If your internet connection is unstable or goes down, your devices may not work properly.
• Firmware updates: AI home control devices need to be updated with firmware updates to fix bugs and security vulnerabilities. If you don’t keep your devices up to date, they may be more vulnerable to attacks.
• Hardware failures: AI home control devices are electronic devices, and like any electronic device, they can fail. If your device fails, you may not be able to control your home or access your data.

Privacy

• Data collection: AI home control devices collect a lot of data about you and your home. This data could be used by the device manufacturer, advertisers, or other third parties.
• Surveillance: AI home control devices could be used to spy on you. For example, if you have a camera connected to your device, someone could use the device to watch you without your knowledge or consent.
• Data breaches: As mentioned above, AI home control devices collect a lot of data about you. If this data is stolen by hackers, it could be used to track your movements, identify your friends and family, or even blackmail you.

It is important to weigh the potential risks and benefits of using AI home control devices before deciding whether or not to use them. If you do decide to use AI home control devices, there are a few things you can do to protect your security, reliability, and privacy:

• Keep your devices up to date: Make sure you install all firmware updates as soon as they are available. This will help to protect your devices from security vulnerabilities.
• Use strong passwords: Use strong passwords for your AI home control devices. This will make it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your devices.
• Be careful what you say: When using voice commands, be careful what you say. If you are talking about sensitive information, such as your financial information or passwords, it is best to avoid using voice commands.
• Only connect to trusted networks: Only connect your AI home control devices to trusted networks. This will help to protect your devices from hackers who may be trying to intercept your data.
• Use a VPN: A VPN can encrypt your traffic and protect your privacy when using AI home control devices.
• Be aware of the risks: It is important to be aware of the potential risks of using AI home control devices before deciding whether or not to use them. By taking some simple precautions, you can help to protect your security, reliability, and privacy.