Tasting the future

Although a self-confessed technophile, it is almost embarrassing to admit how thrilling it was to 'taste the future` this week, when I visited a concept facility at Microsoft`s Redmond headquarters, which demonstrates how technology might enhance life in five to 10 years` time.

Microsoft uses the facility to research and test future consumer technology concepts and explore how people use technology in the home.

The Microsoft Home simulates a home environment, including a kitchen, family room, dining room, office, entertainment room and bedroom.

Although not obvious at first glance, the Microsoft Home bristles with technologies like radio frequency identification (RFID), voice recognition software, LED mood-setting lighting, seamless displays, smart cards and gesture recognition.

Before you dismiss the Microsoft House as being irrelevant, consider the benefit such concept development projects could have for emerging countries in helping them to shape their infrastructure development to meet the opportunities of the future, and perhaps even leapfrog nations already invested in older technologies.

The teenager`s bedroom features a smart mirror that incorporates gesture recognition technology to help people decide what to wear.

Warwick Ashford, technology editor, ITWeb

Although the entrance looks conventional except for the fact there is no lock in the door, a biometric palm reader is hidden in a panel next to the door to identify individuals to allow admission.

An ordinary-looking light switch in the entrance hall activates a wall display to provide information such as time, temperature, messages, appointments and the whereabouts of family members.

Exciting, yes. But it is also challenging. What would it be like for the family to know where everyone is at any given time? Would this always be useful or suitable? I must confess, I could think of several instance is which such a facility may be less than convenient.

Our hostess addresses the house: "Grace, a welcome home scenario!" At the command, the house magically springs to life as blinds close, lights illuminate and music emanates from hidden speakers. The line between fantasy and reality blurs. This is thrilling stuff!

In the kitchen, attaching a party invitation to the bulletin board automatically activated an RSVP facility, recorded the event date on the calendar display, and opened up a baby-sitting request facility.

A magnet from a restaurant displays the menu and other information when put on the bulletin board. The microwave set cooking times according to barcodes on food items, and countertops displayed recipes using only ingredients "known" to be in the cupboards.

While the facility for setting a universal parental control policy for each child, setting limits on what types of media content may be accessed was hugely attractive to me, I somehow doubt that my children would see it as a life-enhancing innovation. These will be the kind of debates we are likely to have in the next five to 10 years.

Can technology be tamed or will it end up controlling us in some way as envisioned by science fiction writers of the 60s and 70s? Unfortunately, the technology has as much chance of being used negatively as it has for being used positively. How will we keep it in check? I would argue this is something we need to think about now before it is too late.

The teenager`s bedroom features a smart mirror that incorporates gesture recognition technology to help people decide what to wear. When clothing is held up to the mirror, it recognises the items by RFID tags and intelligently matches them with other items.

Chat facilities have the potential to make dressing an e-community event, but one can only wonder whether this would help or hamper users in getting ready for a night on the town. Once again, I could not help wondering if this would be life-enhancing for all members of a household.

However, it took me about two seconds to realise that my 12-year-old daughter would love a bedroom in which she could connect to the Internet, communicate in a variety of ways with her friends, immerse herself in music, enhanced by related images and lighting. Too many distractions, perhaps, but it was exciting, even for me.

The living room demonstrates how display screens can become interactive family activity tools from traditional television, to computing, games, video and photo sharing, and music.

The home office features smart card technology, which allows access to computer files from work and also helps manage how and when co-workers can make contact.

With a card from a concert, residents could get privileges to additional music tracks, Web links or video to play in the Microsoft Home.

By pressing a few buttons on a wireless tablet PC, it was possible to transfer a homework assignment to a large display panel on the dining room wall. Another few selections, and the room was transformed into a planetarium with the night sky projected onto the walls.

Homework was never that much fun when I was at school, but will youngsters of the future be any more willing to do their homework than any generation before? Maybe not, but it will be so much easier.

Although just about every corner of the Microsoft House was impressive, the showstopper had to be the bedtime story demonstration. "Grace, enhance this story," commanded our hostess as she began reading a story about a moonlit night. Instantly the lights dimmed and turned blue. Night sounds could be heard and an image of the moon was projected on the living room wall.

Perhaps I am easily impressed, but experiencing is believing, and believe me, the Microsoft Home is quite an experience. I can only envy generations to come for the opportunities they will have to enhance their lives with technology.