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Thursday, Feb 14, 2008
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House of the Future is here

Disney revives concept to showcase future technology in ‘Tomorrowland’

ANAHEIM: Millions of Disneyland visitors lined up a half-century ago to catch a glimpse of the future: a home teeming with mind-blowing gadgets such as hands-free phones, wall-sized televisions, plastic chairs, and electric razors and toothbrushes.

The ‘House of the Future,’ a pod-shaped, all-plastic dwelling that quickly seemed quaint, closed its doors a decade later. Now Disney is set to open a new abode in Tomorrowland — this time in partnership with 21st century technology giants.

The 5,000-sq ft (465-square-m) home scheduled to open here in California in May will look like a normal suburban home outside, but inside it will feature hardware, software and touch-screen systems that could simplify everyday living.

Automated functions

Lights and thermostats will automatically adjust when people walk into a room. Closets will help pick out the right dress for a party. Countertops will be able to identify groceries set on them and make menu suggestions.

The $15 million home is a collaboration of The Walt Disney Co., Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, software maker LifeWare and homebuilder Taylor Morrison.

Visitors will experience the look of tomorrow by watching Disney actors playing a family of four preparing for a trip to China.

“It’s much different than a spiel that you would get at a trade show,” said Dave Miller, director of alliance development for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. “We won’t get into the bits and the bytes. It will be about the digital lifestyle and how that lifestyle can help you.”

The actors will be in a flurry of cooking, packing and picture-taking designed to emphasise cutting-edge features in the home’s two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room, study and back yard.

Much of the project will showcase a network that makes the house “smart” and follows family members from room to room — even adjusting artwork — to preset personal preferences.

When a resident clicks a TV remote, for example, lights will dim, music will shut off and the shades will draw as the network realises a movie is about to start. The system will allow residents to transfer digital photos, videos and music among televisions and computers in different rooms at the click of a button. — AP

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