I am a bit of a geek. I’m always looking things for things which might have an influence on how we might sell our products in the future, and if there are any new innovations which could change the way consumers use the glass in their home. Well, I watched this video and I couldn’t help but get a little excited:
How awesome would it be to wake up in your bedroom and turn on your internet enabled smart window! You could wake up on a morning, activate the glass on your window to let the light in, and have all your social feeds, email, YouTube channels all streamed on your smart window, whilst at the same time having the view out of it. I personally wouldn’t mind one of those in my house!
But it doesn’t stop there. The potential for smart surfaces is endless. Imagine a kitchen worktop which can be used both as a chopping surface that also doubles up as a hob with a screen at the side too. You could follow a YouTube recipe video and cook on the same surface at the same time.
Bringing it back to the industry for a second now. I would love to install a screen like that in my showroom. I love the idea of a window that looked out on to outdoor conservatory showsite, but which could then be a smart screen where clients could explore things like door options and swipe across on that window to browse the various colour and glass options. Even build their dream door on a smart window.
Of course this sort of technology would have to jump through many hoops before it got to the residential market. For example, how would this sort of glass be applied to energy efficient windows? Could it be used in toughened glass applications? Could it be used in conservatories or other larger glazed structures? I see no reason why no. The companies making these products have to staff and money to make it happen, they just need a good enough reason to make it happen.
What do you think? Could smart windows become a reality or will they remain a luxury for those can afford to throw money at it? All comments welcome in the section below.
You’re right! Very exciting…we get closer to the SS Enterprise every day :) I can’t wait for the transporter beam so I can get up at 7.30am (instead of 5.30am) and still be at work for 8am!!
I enquired last year about privacy glass for the residential market. (You know the glass that goes obscure at the flick of switch)….quoted £1k per square metre! So not quite in the ballpark yet for most of our residential customers.
Yeah that cost is a bit prohibitive at the minute :-s hopefully like all tech it will come down in price as time goes on!
Privacy glass can be converted into a screen or smart window as you state Sharon. When i was at ESG we showcased such a product at Ecobuild and GD Live last year. We showed films and gaming on it. Privacy glass is being quoted at £1k a sqm but shop around.
Privacy glass looks great but is ridiculously expensive at the mo. I’m hoping things like this on kickstarter will soon come to the market.
A film that can be retro fitted to any glass and controlled by your phone.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/843725167/sonte-iphone-ipad-android-diy-wifi-digital-shades
This looks awesome! Unfortunately this is a US company. Do you know of any UK companies doing this sort of thing?
You can buy the film but there can be problems in application and as it is exposed to the elements it can have a shorter shelf life, however I am not dissing this as it can be more affordable. Alternatively you can buy the film from companies and laminate it yourself.