Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1442778
24 For all intents and purposes, the home will become a proactive partner in its occupants' daily existence. It will predict what it is that they need or desire, and act—based on current or changing conditions—even at times before they themselves may realize their own inclination. For example, the Proactive Home might "observe" that traffic is heavy on a particular day, and "decide" to wake an occupant (let's call her "Jane") 30 minutes earlier than usual to compensate for it. The smart mattress she is sleeping on will track her sleep pattern so the home will "know" that a gentle wake up alarm will do the trick that morning. As Jane gets up, the shower will already be at her preferred temperature (the home will recognize different people living in it due to their size or other visual characteristics) and the coffee she likes will be brewing. As she gets ready, a smart mirror may offer advice on everything from wardrobe choice to makeup, together with news and an update on that day's traffic situation. This example shows how, in the span of a few minutes, the home performed a complicated analysis of data drawn from the cloud and local sensors, compared it with learned knowledge and preferences, and made a series of intelligent, proactive decisions that saved the home's occupant time and energy (and likely reduced her stress level). Making tomorrow's Proactive Home a reality Molex believes this coming Proactive Home will improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world. By eliminating repetitive tasks or routine chores, life is made easier, but it is the "anticipatory" aspect of this next technology wave that shows the most promise. As with autonomous driving, "autonomous living" will usher in a new age of personal productivity at home. With extra time on their hands, people will enjoy greater opportunities for self-fulfillment. Manufacturers truly able to connect smart devices across platforms and their users are poised to capture and lead new markets—and make their products indispensable to modern life. There are still a number of challenges to iron out in transforming the Connected Home into the Proactive Home. Power consumption, connectivity, and interoperability are just a few. But as these hurdles are overcome, new ones will replace them as the home technology evolution progresses. Since each consumer's routines and preferences vary, Proactive Home solutions will need to be greatly adaptable, while keeping a positive user experience at their core. One-size-fits-all solutions will not impress tomorrow's consumers, who will expect their homes to flawlessly anticipate their needs with a minimal learning curve. Product developers must also determine how to reconcile homes with multiple occupants, each with distinct preferences and habits. Critical to the success of the Connected Home (and the manufacturers who enable it) is the ability to translate harvested