10 Cool Home Innovations From PSFK's Pop-Up Gallery

What's This?

By Dani Fankhauser2013-07-22 22:45:54 UTC

The tech capabilities in our smartphones is slowly making its way outside to other devices around our homes and inspiring new ways of making life more efficient. It's hard to keep track of the latest gadgets, unless you're completely obsessed.

You might say PSFK is — the site is dedicated to sharing ideas and came up with three themes of home innovation: adaptive, on-demand and equilibrium (the last referring to both quantified-self gadgets and products which essentially run on reused waste). PSFK selected a gallery of products, some in beta and some on the market, that display these themes.

See also: 7 Gadgets for the Ultimate Connected Living Room

Piers Fawkes, editor in chief at PSFK, says these items were not chosen as recommendations to buy now, but rather as representations of three trends and a harbinger of things to come.

While not all are programmable tech innovations, they are all innovative in improving how we use space and how to make the home fit in our tech-powered lives — most notably the standing desk, as it's been said that sitting is the smoking of our generation.

Which of these products would you use? Tell us in the comments. If you're in NYC, the exhibit on 101 W. 15th Street opens today.

Image: DoorBot

DoorBot is a small device that hangs on your front porch, not too distinguishable from a doorbell. It's souped up with Wi-Fi video, so instead of the whole house (read: the pets) reacting when your guest arrives, you'll just get a notification on your smartphone or tablet. It'll give your friends a break from sending texts that just say "here."

Image: Milkplease

Is this a social network for milk? Well, sort of, although we think it will apply to the other groceries as well. The service out of Berlin is essentially crowdsourced shopping. Perhaps one of your neighbors is already at the store and can grab that cup of milk or bag of chips for you. It cuts down on unnecessary traffic and could be a way to meet people and bring communities together.

Image: CubeSensors

For some, noise and temerature can distract them from sleep. Many others likely have no idea why they cannot sleep but if it is one of those things (or humidity, light, air quality or barometric pressure) the CubeSensor will be able to tell you. The sensors connect with a smartphone and provide recommendations on changes to make for optimal environment.

Image: EcoVea

The EcoVea is a platform that can be installed in a shower to recycle clean water and save money on water bills, up to 80%. The product will sort the dirty water from the clean, and treat the clean water to be sent back to the shower head. Along with saving water and money, it makes you feel better about taking those long showers.

Image: Click and Grow

Forgetting to water the plants is a reason for failure no more. The herbs you might want to grow in your kitchen — basil or thyme — can now be plugged into the wall. It doesn't quite replace soil, water and light but it does monitor each plant to make sure it's getting the right amount of each. The company also offers a flower pot version for the home or office.

Image: Oru Kayak

We've all seen the bikes that fold up. Now it's time to hit the water.

The origami kayak, or Oru Kayak, folds up to the size of a briefcase. Amazingly, it also works on the water. The only seam on the vessel is above the water line and it includes a foam seat and backrest for comfortable boating.

7. Smart Mirror

Image: PFSK

Mirrors that tell you who the fairest of them all might not be en vogue these days, but how about on that tells you your pulse?

The aptly named Smart Mirror uses a webcam similar to the one found in a smartphone to measure the light reflecting off your skin, which in turn can sense the blood running through your face.

Image: Vurv

The desk attaches to your wall like a cabinet and opens up to be a standing desk (since sitting is killing us). It has a few slots and drawers for letters or receipts. If you work from home, or just don't see the sense in taking up space will a desk and chair, this could work for you.

Topics: Home, innovation