Smart home devices promise to improve our lives by making housework easier and hobbies more accessible. But early efforts were disappointing: robot hoovers bounced into walls, smart speakers misunderstood almost every command, and clunky kitchen tools gathered dust at the back of a cupboard. Now, a new wave of gadgets, supercharged by artificial intelligence, is changing the way we live and interact with technology.
In 2024, nearly 70 million American households used a smart device, according to independent research company Statista, up 10% from the previous year. Those devices range from subtle systems like digital thermostats to household robots performing physical tasks.
Early smart tech suffered from clunky controls, but new gadgets benefit from voice input. This one change has caused a significant shift in our relationship with technology. As a species, we’re prone to anthropomorphism, when we attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. Countless studies have shown that we treat faceless machines differently from those that can smile, blink, and frown. The rise of voice-recognition technology in the home means we talk to our devices, making them more human.
“When they are smart and when they are designed to be anthropomorphized, or even if the design is agnostic, we tend to anthropomorphize them. That might affect the way we look at other humans,” explains Taha Yassari, Chair of the Center for Sociology of Humans and Machines at Trinity College Dublin.
Professor Elyakim Kislev, author of the book “Relationships 5.0: How AI, VR, and Robots Will Reshape Our Emotional Lives,” agrees. “The more we chat with these systems, the more we expect instant, tidy answers from each other. Long pauses or messy feelings in a friend can feel wrong after a bot replies in a blink and never argues.”
However, they can also help tackle loneliness. “For those who live alone, smart devices ease chores, remind us about medicine, and even offer light conversation. Robot pets and video companions cut stress and help pass long evenings,” Kislev adds.
For most of us, smart devices are time-saving investments rather than companions. Smart gadgets can rescue us from grueling chores, saving time better spent on hobbies or work. But Jill Duffy, a productivity expert and author of the book, “Get Organized: How to Clean Up Your Messy Digital Life,” urges caution. “Devices that actually help our productivity the most are usually things that help to curb distraction and minimize the amount that technology is really bothering you.” She suggests banning smart devices from work settings, disabling their notifications, and choosing simple gadgets over more elaborate offerings.
The best gadgets solve a significant and immediate problem or enhance the enjoyment of our favorite hobbies. They should work quietly in the background and offer strict privacy controls. With that in mind, here are five smart devices that may help you around the garden this summer.
