By 2050, home technology will be mainly invisible and discreet. Al, robots and VR will all become common household additions, acquiring everyday jobs and providing endless entertainment, according to exciting new research.
Tomorrow’s generation will spend less time cooking and cleaning, but more time socialising with their full-resolution life-sized 3D friends, who will be virtually present.
Retailer Matalan’s online-only furniture team has worked with Dr Ian Pearson to create a collection of graphics, visualising socialising, sleeping, exercising, decorating and leisure in the home of 2050, all of which are streamlined and enhanced through the means of technology.
For home aesthetics, 46% of people currently only decorate their home every five years or more. By 2050, fabrics will have the ability to change appearance, colours, patterns and textures enabled by intrinsic smart yarns.
Additionally, active contact lenses worn in the home will allow people to change their décor frequently, a simply decorated room could look elaborate and luxurious – all this combined will make redecorating an easy everyday option.
Ian highlights: “Furnishings will often adapt to our body shapes to make us perfectly comfy. Visitors’ personal profiles will be used to adapt furniture to them too”.
The 30% of Britons who currently stay in on week nights will be more inclined to visit friends and family, having a furniture profile at each home, to fit their personal requirements.
For the 36% of people in the UK who only get five hours of sleep per night, the sleeping environment will be enhanced through anti-sound technology, removing unwanted noise, pollen and virus filters. Beds in 2050 will adjust fabric textures, rigidity and temperature for a personalised, well-rested night’s sleep.
With over half (54%) of the nation having one to two holidays per year, VR will substitute some travel allowing people to explore the world and experience the full sensation through virtual environments, within their own home. A bonus for the 64% of people who say time and money are the main barriers to going on holiday.
Ian predicts that by 2050, 98% of people will also use VR as a means of recreational activity, a change for the 73% of people who currently spend all their leisure time watching 2D TV.
Ian Pearson, a Doctor of Science adds: “In many ways a 2050 home will resemble a1950s home, with little visible technology clutter taking up space. It will be there, just invisibly”.
As for cooking, robots will do most of the work. People will rely on them for food preparation and cooking, with 3D printers providing food faster than takeaways.
Robot duties will even extend to the cleaning and home maintenance, with androids as tools, cloths and robot vacuum cleaners. 33% of people currently spend one to two hours cleaning each week, which will become newly acquired spare time as robots regulate the chores.
Pete Gould, Chief Marketing Officer for Matalan furniture commented: “We always strive to provide our customers with interior predictions, including up-to-date insight on the latest trends. Home technology is constantly evolving and after speaking to Ian, it’s apparent our product offering will be completely different by 2050 - a true insight for our customers on what to expect in their home, within the next 40 years!”.
