Why our homes are becoming smarter and smarter

24 January 2019

Plastic material plays an important role in the world’s waste problem, which grows worse by the day. To curb the environmental harm caused by plastic, it is important that everyone thinks along about how to reduce the volume of waste we produce together. That means Rompa Group has to accept its responsibility as well.
In today’s society, life without plastic is virtually unthinkable. Plastic has many advantages.

Why make things harder than they need to be? More and more products in our home can connect to the internet and easily communicate with each other. These products are being sold by a growing number of retailers as well. Take IKEA, for example, where it will soon be possible to buy smart drapes. The development of smart-home products is in full swing. What is the history of the rise of these state-of-the-art technological feats?

Connected order button

The first washing machines

By the end of the nineteenth century, people were already beginning to realise that there were easier ways to do household chores. In 1889, the first water boilers were put on the market. The first washing machines followed soon after – although the earliest models were hand-powered contraptions. Refrigerators, saw machines, microwave ovens and countless other inventions were next. These devices did not become truly smart until the end of the twentieth century, however. Why? Because of the rise of the internet!

Smart home

Once it became possible for devices to communicate via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, home automation really took off. In 1999, Microsoft already knew just how smart a home could be. Just take a look at this video about Microsoft’s smart home. Now, two decades later, many of the technologies shown in this video are actually found in our homes. The internet has changed how we live – and it has certainly made our lives a whole lot easier.

From wireless to robots

The history of smart-home products can be divided into three generations. Wireless technology was first, the internet as we know it today and products that communicate via e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or ZigBee. Find out what technology suits your products best in our whitepaper: connectivity. The second generation is formed by products that include some form of artificial intelligence, like Amazon Echo. What about the third generation? Robots that can become your friend! They can show compassion, help you and talk to you.

Our smart-home products

Rompa produced its first smart-home product back in 2015: a razor stand with an order button. When you run out of blades, you can easily order new ones at the touch of a button. This is a perfect way to boost your brand’s customer retention. We see tons of opportunities in the smart-home market in the future. We all want to live comfortable, easy lives and getting something done should take as little effort as possible. Smart-home products are perfect for that.

As a vertically integrated company, Rompa Group is a full-service supplier of smart home products. From support in design and (electronic and mechanical) engineering to manufacturing and sourcing, we develop your product from idea to reality. With our supply chain and our global footprint, we are ready to supply you with finished products all over the world. Smart homes are the future!

Reach out to us!

Lawrence van den Molengraft: “Are smart home products getting more important in your organisation or are you interested in the possibilities we see for your organisation? Don’t hesitate any longer and contact me. I’d like to hear from you.” You can reach Lawrence via phone: +31 411 661200, or mail: lawrence.vandenmolengraft@rompa.nl