Have you ever wished there was an app that could help manage those never-ending household chores or open the door if your visitors come while you are patting your child to sleep? Homes with such hi-tech features are available in the market. In fact, the smart home concept is not new in Singapore. Its emergence was fuelled by the government’s Smart Nation initiative announced in 2014. In line with this Smart Nation drive, Qingjian Realty launched The Visionaire – one of the  residential projects to incorporate smart technology in 2016, marking  a move by developers here to offer smart home features on a bigger scale in their new developments.

We take a closer look at the evolution of smart home technology, especially on why and how they are adopted by developers.

Why?

More than 90% of 2019’s new projects launched in Singapore have incorporated some form of smart home technology. Developers recognise the need to provide smart features to “stay in tune” with the market. Their investment in this technological race is encouraged by increasing interest for home automation among homebuyers, especially younger buyers who tend to be more tech savvy.

The older generation is also able to benefit from smart home technology. For seniors who are living alone, usage of technology such as smart household appliances, CCTV and smart alarm systems could help them and enhance their safety.

Generally, such smart homes find appeal with most buyers as they help to improve efficiency and living standards, enhance security and promote sustainability. Automated control of lights, air conditioners and other appliances not only provide convenience but can help to save electricity. Although homebuyers’ preferences still largely revolves around location, price, layout, and capital growth , smart home features do play a role as an added attraction for buyers.

How?

Typical smart home features adopted by developers include apps providing remote control of air conditioners, electric ovens, lighting, washing machines and other electrical appliances, motion sensors and digital locksets. Additionally, there are also smart security products such as Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera with audio and video functions, smoke detectors with real-time instant alert, car plate and facial recognition systems. For community activity, homeowners can book facilities, pay maintenance fees and be notified of the latest community events through the condo’s app.

In advancing home technology, some developers are collaborating with technology companies to develop common apps for all their projects, leveraging on economies of scale, such as Qingjian’s HiLife app and the Habitap app used in recent projects by Keppel Land.

Moving forward, most developers are expected to adopt the latest smart home technology in their residential projects as a significant part of their marketing efforts.  However, as technology changes rapidly, there is a need for developers to plan for future upgrades so that the latest technology can be incorporated. This is particularly relevant since the units in a project are completed and delivered to the buyer a few years after they have been sold.

Login

Label

Name*

Email*

Website

Company

Label

Name*

Email*

Website

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments