When we think of the cities of the future, we usually imagine something out of Blade Runner, a place where lights flash and buildings tower above drones and robots. Ribbons of hovering vehicles hang in the air, not a tree in sight anywhere. “Green” and “digital” don’t usually go hand-in-hand.
Nothing could be further from the truth. By all predictions, smart devices—products designed to adjust to behavior and conditions—will allow homeowners to be even greener than ever. Smart home devices have the power to save energy and water, monitoring consumption and creating energy-efficient settings.
It’s like having your mom remind you to turn off the lights—if your mom sent notifications to your phone. Here’s how it all works.