It's why every year, at one of the industry's largest conventions, we're treated to a familiar sight — the digital home. We're promised washing machines that tweet and ovens that text. The future, we're told, will be connected, joining all our household appliances in some idealistic digital lifestyle. The problem is, it won't work — not this year, and not next.
LG's CES press conference, as early as it was, managed to keep us awake with news the company had successfully connected a swath of appliances to South Korea's energy grid. A small test community was outfitted with washing machines and dryers that were internet-aware, allowing the appliances to be scheduled to operate during periods of low-energy demand. In theory, customers would save money, and less strain would be placed on a portion of South Korea's electrical grid.
The energy-conscious robot uprising starts in the home.
The simple fact is, worldwide broadband and wireless penetration — even in developed countries like the United States — is not exactly flattering. As of June 2010, for example, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranked the US 14th in terms of fixed broadband penetration (Excel file). For every 100 inhabitants, 27.1 were broadband subscribers, compared with 37.8 in the number one-ranked Netherlands. Even countries like Canada and Iceland — whose population density is far lower than that of the US, have better broadband infrastructures. The point is, if you're trying to pitch a world of connected appliances to consumers, you'll have to actually connect them first.
It's only a matter of time before meat is cooked directly on-top of the LCD, right?
Because, until the future catches up with us, that internet-connected dryer is still a dryer. It just has an IP address.
