| Open the pod bay doors, HAL. I'm sorry Dave, I'm | | | | This home automation of smart house technology is |
| afraid I can't do that. If you saw 2001: A Space | | | | being seen more and more in houses across the |
| Odyssey you will remember that the computer, Hal, | | | | country. If you decide to put it in your luxury house |
| took over the space ship. There were actually a lot of | | | | plans there are a few things you need to consider. |
| things in this movie that were made in 1968 that had | | | | The first is what type of wiring you want to use. If you |
| wonderful insight into what the future would hold and | | | | aren't knowledgeable about electrical wiring and the |
| have come to pass. A few of these include flat | | | | differences and compatibility issues you may want to |
| screen monitors, credit cards with data stripes, | | | | hire an electrician or smart house expert to help you |
| biometric identification, a computer that can defeat a | | | | with the design. Including it in the plans so it will be built |
| man at chess and voice recognition/voice controlled | | | | in is the only way to go. Adding it after the completion |
| computing. The later being something that may be of | | | | of your home is too much work and expense. |
| use to you when you consider your French country | | | | What type of entertainment are you interested in? |
| house plans with smart computing built in. You won't | | | | Music throughout the entire house, television in every |
| have to worry about the computer taking over as in | | | | room, computers networked or all of the above. Are |
| 2001 since sophisticated artificial intelligence is still a | | | | there things that might not be important to you right |
| thing of the future for home use. They can learn a | | | | now but may be in the future or may be worth adding |
| few repetitive things but you probably won't be having | | | | in for the resale value of the home? What safety |
| an active conversation with one soon. | | | | issues would you like to help eliminate by planning to |
| You will, however, be able to control a lot of the little | | | | put them in your contemporary house plans? Turning |
| conveniences that could make your life safer and | | | | lights on, home awareness issues including water and |
| easier. If you have ever come home to a dark house | | | | gas leaks, monitored circuits are only a couple of the |
| you know how nice it would be if the hall light would | | | | many safety issues you can control with a smart |
| come on when the garage door opened. What about | | | | house. There are also comfort and cost savings |
| your coffee in the morning turning on the same time | | | | issues. Turning on the air conditioning and heating at the |
| the music comes on over the intercom to wake you | | | | most efficient times can leave you more comfortable |
| up along with the curtains opening automatically? The | | | | and save you money. You can get sophisticated and |
| concept of a smart house was launched in the 1980's | | | | program the computer to know where you are by |
| not all that long after "2001". The idea was developed | | | | voice command and illuminate that particular part of |
| with a centralized system that could help people with | | | | the house to your liking as well as turn on custom |
| safety, comfort and overall efficiency of the entire | | | | settings for your enjoyment. |
| house. | | | | |