In today's technology-dependent society, houses are being enveloped by the next wave of technology: devices and mobile apps that aim to save energy, simplify everyday tasks and make the home "smarter."
Smart home solutions are an increasingly essential component for a growing number of households, with companies like Panasonic, Intel, Vivint and Google's Nest taking note. Just last month, U.S. water technology company Xylem said it would buy Sensus USA, a smart meter provider, for $1.7 billion in cash. CB Insights noted in a recent report that at least 67 private companies are operating in the smart home space, with a growing number of start-ups on track to pull in $526 million this year.
As a result, owning the next "big" thing has made smart home products an easy purchase for many consumers. A 2015 survey by icontrol showed that 50 percent of consumers say they intend to purchase at least one smart home product within the year. And Gartner Research recently predicted that the typical home could consist of up to 500 smart home devices by the year 2022.
CNBC recently took a look at the wide universe of smart home gadgets — which typically run the gamut from lawn maintenance systems to washing machines to solar panels — and found some cool compact versions.
By Bryant McInerney and CNBC's Javier E. David
Additional reporting by Tyler Eyre
Posted 3 Sept. 2016