< Previous8 | VON POLL IMMOBILIEN Numerous technological innovations have revolutionised the way we live, offering us ever more options for making everyday life more comfortable, efficient and secure. Smart appliances, linked-up lighting systems and advanced security technology seamlessly adapt to residents’ individual needs and habits. We provide an overview of how this works in which areas and with which tools. PERFECTLY CONNECTED SMART LIVING – THE INTELLIGENT HOMEVON POLL REAL ESTATE | 9 Modern technologies Voice assistants: the invisible helpers In recent years, voice-activated as- sistants such as Amazon Echo and Google Assistant have become in- dispensable helpers around the home. They not only enable devices to be controlled by voice commands, but also act as a central interface for linking up various smart home devices. Simple commands can be used to control lighting systems, thermostats and entertainment systems, making everyday life not only more convenient but also more efficient. What’s more, these assistants seamlessly integrate other devices and services, such as cal- endar systems, reminders and shopping lists, enabling people to have all-round control of their everyday life. T echnological progress has fundamentally changed the way we live and work. Innovative, networked systems and devices that process data and perform automated functions are increasingly becoming an integral part of modern and convenient everyday life. Thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT), all smart devices in a household can work together effectively. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) exploit the data collect- ed by the IoT to create personalised experiences and continuously improve the way that devices function. The advantages of smart technologies in the home are manifold: they optimise processes, save valuable time and energy, increase home security and improve our quality of life in many ways. With modern language assistants, various smart home devices can also be linked up with each other. What is meant by the Internet of Things (IoT) and how does it work? The Internet of Things (IoT) is the term used to describe the network of physical objects (“things”) that are fitted with sensors, software and other technologies that allow them to be connected to other devices and systems via the internet for the purpose of exchanging data. This means that by combining communication with data processing, remote control and interaction, objects are made “intelligent”, enabling automated workflows and controls to be established. The communication aspect is also referred to as “machine-to-machine communication”(M2M), which is a subset of the IoT and requires little to no human interaction. For everyday objects and home automation, this communication between machines is usually summarised by the term “smart home”, while the term “Industry 4.0” is commonly used for manufacturing and supply chains. i10 | VON POLL IMMOBILIEN cal appliances on and off via a voice command or an app, depending on a timetable or a person’s presence in the room. For example, coffee machines, lamps and chargers only consume power when they’re actually being used. Residents can also monitor how much en- ergy individual devices consume and so identify ineffi- cient energy guzzlers. Smart illumination: lighting mood as required Modern lighting systems such as Philips Hue offer much more than just light. They allow you to customise a room’s lighting mood and create automated scenar- ios based on the time of day, activity or personal pref- erence. Whether you want a cosy evening ambience or a place where you can focus on your work, smart light- ing systems can significantly help to create a pleasant living environment and can also be operated via voice control or mobile apps, making them even more us- er-friendly. What’s more, these systems can increase energy efficiency by adjusting the lighting in line with the amount of natural light available. Modern alarm systems: round-the-clock security Home security is another area in which modern tech- nology is having a major impact. Systems from man- ufacturers such as Arlo or Ring offer extensive moni- toring functions that not only provide residents with security but with peace of mind, too. Motion sensors, cameras with night vision, and mobile phone notifica- tions enable residents to keep an eye on their property – even when they’re out and about. A lot of these systems also offer integrated alarm systems that emit signals in the event of any unexpected movements or nois- es. These technologies not only enable you to monitor Intelligent thermostats and sockets: energy saving made easy Energy efficiency is a central theme in modern interior design, and smart thermostats like Nest or Tado play a crucial role here. These systems auto- matically adjust the room temperature to suit residents’ needs, taking factors such as room occupancy and weather conditions into account. By integrating sensors that detect movement and even a window being opened, these thermo- stats can optimise energy consumption in real time and help reduce heating costs. This not only increases living comfort, but also reduces energy con- sumption in the long term. This can also be achieved with smart sockets: they can automatically switch connected electri- Smart light bulbs minimise household energy and light con- sumption, and lighting can be controlled by remote or voice control. Smart alarm systems offer maximum se- curity, thanks to numerous functions that can also be controlled remotely.VON POLL REAL ESTATE | 11 Modern technologies efits for the well-being and safety of residents. Thanks to advanced devices such as the Withings Sleep Analyzer that tracks sleep behaviour, smart scales, blood pressure monitors and fitness trackers, health data can be continuous- ly monitored and analysed. These sys- tems help to identify health risks at an early stage so that preventive measures can be taken. Furthermore, AAL extends the smart home with technologies that are specifically designed to assist the lives of older or physically disabled peo- ple. Sensors that detect falls and auto- matically call for help, or smart lighting systems that adapt to the daily rhythm of residents, help them to live indepen- dent lives. Smart monitoring systems that track vital signs and send instant alerts in the event of abnormalities are further examples of how these technol- ogies can help people stay in their own homes for longer while ensuring their safety and well-being. your home, but they can also be integrated into smart locking systems that make access to the home more se- cure and convenient. Innovative technology for your health and well-being Integrating health and AAL (Ambient Assisted Living) technologies into smart homes brings significant ben- There are also smart health tools that pro- vide support in everyday life and ensure more physical well-being.12 | VON POLL IMMOBILIEN tions or coffee machines) that can be programmed to the precise minute, as well as the new generation of Thermomix kitchen appliances, which can cook and explain recipes as well as manage them digitally. Mean- while, UK company Moley Robotics also offers fully automatic, robot-controlled kitchen systems that, de- pending on the model or version, even clean and tidy themselves after cooking. Home entertainment: personalised on-demand enjoyment Smart technologies have also revolutionised home entertainment. Systems like Sonos enable music to be played wirelessly in every room of the home, while smart TVs and streaming devices like Apple TV or Am- azon Fire TV Stick offer personalised entertainment. These systems integrate seamlessly into people’s every- day lives, offering customised content based on users’ preferences. What’s more, they can be controlled by Smart household applicances: more convenience in daily life Automatic household appliances such as smart fridges, washing machines, window-cleaning robots and vacuum cleaners make everyday life consider- ably easier. Controlled via an app, they can provide status updates and enable residents to manage their homes re- motely. Smart fridges can automatically re-order food when stocks are running low, while smart washing machines can select the best possible wash cycle based on the load and degree of soiling. These devices are designed with the aim of automating routine tasks, thus saving valuable time. Additional convenience is provided by smart appliances (such as ovens with integrated recipe func- Intelligent household appliances adapt to the individual needs of resi- dents, saving valuable time. Modern technologiesComment Daniel Ritter, CEO of von Poll Immobilien GmbH Daniel Ritter Smart solutions simplify processes in many areas. Modern technologies Once you have discovered the advantages of smart home technologies, you won’t want to do without them. After all, they make everyday life so much easier, thanks to artificial intelli- gence and automated processes, among other things. Both are also applied in our digital services, which make the valuation and marketing of properties in particular faster, more convenient and more efficient. My tip: just give it a try with our online valuation service. More information at www.von-poll.com voice commands, making entertainment even more convenient. Multi-room audio systems, which can play the same music in every room, and smart TVs, which automatically make recommendations based on previ- ous viewing behaviour, make the home movie experi- ence even more immersive. The future of living: Sustainable and efficient Beyond doubt, the trend towards smart, networked devices will continue to play an increasingly important role. The focus here is not just on comfort and safety, but increasingly also on sustainability and resource conservation. Smart systems that optimise energy con- sumption while enhancing living comfort are increas- ingly becoming the norm. Many of these technologies are already able to learn from residents’ usage habits and so slash energy consumption even further. These developments show that the future of living lies in the intelligent interplay of technology, design and envi- ronmental awareness. All graphics in this article were created by AI-supported software. Stay smart on the safe side Despite all the convenience and energy-saving potential of smart home technologies, data protection and security must not be overlooked. Increasing networking and the collection of data are creating new challenges in terms of residents' privacy. Therefore, it is all the more important that the transmitted data is protected against unauthorised access and that users are fully informed about how their data is handled. The conditions for this are • end-to-end encryption to protect against data leaks • regular software updates to close any gaps in security • clear data protection guidelines and transparent user agreements iInterior design ideas CHIC AND COSY CHALET-STYLE LIVING Anyone who’s ever spent a holiday in a chalet in the mountains knows the stylish, rustic and cosy ambience of these houses. With the Aspen style, you can bring some chalet flair into your own home. © Photo by Ian Keefe on UnsplashVON POLL REAL ESTATE | 15 Loremipsum “Bigsofa Manchester Antiklederlook” by Kollected from home24.de, approx. €1,600 Faux fur “Mathilde” from westwing.de, approx. €45 “Kelim Mahila” carpet from benuta.de, approx. €230 “Fibi” hanging lamp by Lindby from lampenwelt.de, approx. €445 Knitting Lounge Chair, sheepskin by Audo, from ambientedirect.com, approx. €4,765 Coffee table “Iowa” from westwing.de, approx. €66916 | VON POLL IMMOBILIEN Lifestyle Whether you prefer downhill or cross-country skiing, the right accessories are a stylish way to complement your winter sports equipment, making your skiing holiday even better! SKI-SEASON ONTO THE SLOPES – AND OFF WE GO! 1 Ski goggles by Bottega Veneta from Mytheresa.com, approx. €560 • 2 Scarf by Acne Studios from Mytheresa.com, approx. €280 • 3 “Cortina” ski helmet by Bogner from Mytheresa.com, approx. €385 • 4 “VOLANT 9000 + M 12 GW GUNMETAL” skis by atomic.com, approx. €2,500 • 5 “Alex” ski gloves by Bogner from aboutyou.com, approx. €250 • 6 “VOLANT SQS” ski poles by atomic.com, approx. €230 BludauPartners off ers a holistic consulting approach to both na- tional and international companies through its Executive Search, Executive Assessment, and Executive Development services, which can be integrated into all aspects of staffing, assessing, and developing top executives and selected expert positions. Best Executive Search Consultancy in 2024 „Highest contentment – only this aspiration meets our standards" BludauPartners Executive Consultants GmbH • Voltastr. 31 • 60486 Frankfurt am Main • +49 69 3487390-0 • mail@bludaupartners.com • www.bludaupartners.com #EVERYCAREERHASASTORY Kaan Bludau, CEO BludauPartners Executive Consultants GmbH 5 2 3 1 4 6BludauPartners off ers a holistic consulting approach to both na- tional and international companies through its Executive Search, Executive Assessment, and Executive Development services, which can be integrated into all aspects of staffing, assessing, and developing top executives and selected expert positions. Best Executive Search Consultancy in 2024 „Highest contentment – only this aspiration meets our standards" BludauPartners Executive Consultants GmbH • Voltastr. 31 • 60486 Frankfurt am Main • +49 69 3487390-0 • mail@bludaupartners.com • www.bludaupartners.com #EVERYCAREERHASASTORY Kaan Bludau, CEO BludauPartners Executive Consultants GmbHNext >