By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

“Future Homes” Smart Technology on Display in Town of Taber

Jun 27, 2016 | 2:10 PM

TABER – The town of Taber has the chance to peak into future lifestyles.

A 560-square-foot “Future Home” designed to resemble a modern condo boasts several wireless fiber optic gadgets, with a pledge to make life safer and more efficient.

The home utilizes immersive technology, some of which is already on the market such as: facial recognition software to enter the home and intelligent thermostats and lighting controlled from smartphones or tablets.

The modern home also projects concept technology in the midst of commercialization such as: a smart fridge to help plan meals and smart cook-tops that provide recipes with step-by-step instructions and nutritional calculation.

There is also a home office with an interactive touch table making it easier to work from home. This technology is geared towards telehealth, where home owners can visit doctors over high-definition video conferences.

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For those wanting to keep an eye on their home while they are away, connected sensors and cameras will allow residents to remotely monitor children, pets and even plants via smartphones.

The home also showcases a 4K 78″ UHD TV and a TV virtual art wall where personal photographs can be changed in seconds.

Aaron Cheng, Director of Broadband from Telus, said that the Town of Taber has responded well to the $11.3 million dollar fiber project that started in the spring of 2015.

“The town benefits from connectivity. We are investing across Alberta and British Columbia and Taber was selected as a town that was previously undeserved with high speed internet and we had good collaboration with town council.”

The high-speed internet project is approximately 95 per-cent complete.

Grant Hunter, MLA Cardston-Taber-Warner, said “Future Home” innovation is essential in keeping rural communities competitive in a globalized economy.

“Over the last year we have seen the loss of jobs. This type of technology makes smaller communities relevant again,” he said.

Taber Mayor, Hank De Vlieger, said that the town has already reaped economic benefits from the introduction of high-speed internet.

“Business owners don’t have to live in big cities and we are seeing more businesses interested in Taber because of the high speed internet.”

Mayor De Vileger said that while he doesn’t see all of the “Future Home” technology making its way into his family home, he does see some of the wireless gadgets appealing to Taber residents looking to stay current with technology.

Whether you are in support of a a home run by wireless technology, weary of being too plugged in or just plain curious, the “Future Home,” is up for tours in the Taber Co-op parking lot until Wednesday June 27, 2016.