The Hands-Free Home

Ever thought to yourself, "What could I accomplish with an extra pair of hands?"  Well, wish no more because that wish can be your command with today’s hands-free technology. From voice-activated controls to touchless faucets, you can handle many of your daily tasks hands off. The latest products on the market aim to create a Hands-Free Home. Here’s look at some of the tools for touchless household tasks.

The UBI:

Your Wish is Its Command

[caption id="attachment_550" align="aligncenter" width="560"] The Ubi, a voice recognition device that you can boss around for daily tasks hands-free[/caption]

The Ubi is short for ubiquitous computer, according to its manufacturer which calls it “the always on” computer. The Ubi plugs into a wall outlet, connects directly to Internet through Wi-Fi and obeys your commands as a voice enabled home automation control. You can boss around the Ubi asking it to perform a variety of tasks. “You can ask Ubi to make a phone call, send an email, look up a fact on the Internet,” says Leor Grebler, one of three engineers who created the device. “Siri and Star Trek were the inspirations for Ubi,” explains Grebler. Ubi communicates back to you through speech or by using lights. It has sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, air pressure and ambient light so you can check on your home remotely. The Ubi works with smart phones and Bluetooth technology to send alerts to your mobile device or email. The Ubi retails for $219 and is available at www.theubi.com

Sensate:

The Touchless Kitchen Faucet

[caption id="attachment_549" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Sensate by Kohler, the touchless faucet[/caption]

 

Imagine not having to interrupt food prepping to wipe off your hands and turn on the faucet. Kohler recently introduced Sensate, a touchless kitchen faucet that  works with the wave of a hand or kitchen utensil. A motion sensor activates the faucet  in 20 milliseconds, according to Kohler. The idea behind touchless faucet technology is to keep the kitchen workspace sanitary and free up your hands for other tasks. That means no messy hands transferring germs or bacteria from uncooked food onto the faucet.

Lighting Sensors:

Lights On...Lights Off, Without the Flip of a Switch

[caption id="attachment_559" align="aligncenter" width="628"] Leviton has a new line of motion sensors to turn lighting on and off. The sensors have the capability to dim lights as well.[/caption]

Here’s another one of life’s aggravations potentially nullified thanks to motion-detected lighting sensors. No more worries about leaving the lights on. Leviton has a new line of energy-saving sensors that turn the lights off when you exit the room and on when you enter. The sensors are made to control current LED, CFL, fluorescent, incandescent, and halogen light bulbs. Leviton also has a dimming sensor that lets you adjust the lighting levels of compatible dimmable LED, CFL and incandescent bulbs for energy-efficiency and ambiance.

[caption id="attachment_558" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Leviton's motion sensors for lighting control works with all three types of lightbulbs: LED, CFL and Halogen.[/caption]

Expect to see more technology that lends a hand by becoming your hands for ordinary tasks. I’ll be on the lookout for the latest developments for the Hands-Free Home as I attend the 2013 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show next month in New Orleans. Keep checking back for more ideas and inspiration for your home and lifestyle.