Touching the Future

Fridges that stock themselves; an independent vacuum cleaner that enters through the dog flap, cleans up and leaves again through the dog-flap after a job well done; controls for the heating and lighting in your house on your mobile phone and a robot dog! It may sound a bit far fetched but it's reality, in fact all this and more was on show at the O2 Home of the Future eWeek exhibition.

Built by the TSSG this fully automated smart house showcases interactive technology in the living room, kitchen and leisure room. A range of O2 Ireland's products and services were integrated to demonstrate the benefits of wireless access in the home or on the move. Each room demonstrates a number of consumer electronic devices that can be controlled by sending or receiving a text message or a multi media message, via WAP (Wireless Access Protocol) on your mobile phone or via the Internet.

The living room includes lighting and heating systems that can be controlled remotely by mobile phone. The entertainment system including television, radio, video, email and instant messaging on the Home of the Future's personal computer, can be accessed and controlled via a mobile phone from anywhere. So wherever you are, you'll still be able to record that programme or turn on the lights or television at night to keep the burglars away!

Also on show was Dudley, the Entertainment Robot (Sony Aibo) whose eyes act as cameras and send images to your mobile phone via multi media messaging. Nokia Observation cameras will also capture images to send to your mobile and you can dispense with your photo album as the Nokia Picture Frame displays your favourite pictures either as a rotating show or by remaining on your favourite shot.

An Internet enabled refrigerator, microwave and washing machine take pride of place in the kitchen. The refrigerator tells your mobile phone when it needs re-stocking, while the microwave broadens your culinary skills by downloading new cooking menus. You can also start your washing with a special cycle that activates with a message from your mobile phone.

Collaborators of the O2 Home of the Future include LG Electronics for the kitchen appliances and consumer electronics, Sony for the AIBO entertainment robot, Smart Telecom for Internet connectivity, Sony Ericsson and Nokia for mobile devices and ID Design for furniture fittings.

Over the last couple of weeks, intensive dedication and a willingness to succeed have brought together this truly fun & interactive display of the TSSG's communication research. The integration of the underlying technologies into the Home of the Future has left its mark on eWeek 2004, presenting what can only be described as an unprecedented success.

"At times going from concept, to research and from there on to reality takes a substantial amount of time and a large leap of faith, but not for the TSSG", says Miguel Ponce de Leon, TSSG's Home of the Future Project Leader. "I have just taken part in this leap, which has been an absolute pleasure and an eye opener. And not just for me, but for the many, many, many people who have expressed their delight at being able to touch the future."

Using this model for collaboration between their three research pillars (applied, basic and commercial) as a reference point the TSSG now plans to build a similar Smart Office.