Italian design brand Lualdi has launched a doorway system called Ether, which combines aesthetics with advanced technology to create a multifunctional smart device for the home or office. Created by designer and architect Marco Piva, Ether comprises a door, door jamb and a ‘vertical block’, which includes an interface created with automation technology company Microdevice.
Ether’s interface is customisable and can include a number of features, including security systems, lighting controls, doorbells, nightlights and air sanitation systems.
“Ether was created to respond to the specific management needs of the wellness, residential, and office sectors while meeting the aesthetic taste of the most demanding and avant-garde architects,” said Microdevice. According to Lualdi, the interface can be connected to any control system, allowing remote use and monitoring from a smartphone.
As part of its launch, Lualdi collaborated with French manufacturing company Saint-Gobain, providing examples of Ether installed within “high-performance thermal and acoustic comfort systems”.
The vertical block interface can also allow users access to household power systems, allowing them to better manage and reduce energy consumption.
Last year the Italian brand teamed up with French creator Philippe Starck to create Welcome, a ‘door collection’ that turns a hotel-room door into a smart device.
Lualdi’s system includes a series of connected objects: a handle, a light, a room number panel, and a smart screen with integrated facial recognition.
It offers a range of guest services that include checking in, adjusting conditions in the room, and contacting hotel staff. Starck said it is the future of hospitality.
“The doors of the future will become so intelligent that they will communicate with each other,” he said. “They will be set up to manage the home through artificial intelligence. The doors will certainly be smarter than us.”
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While amazing, this is perhaps taking things too far, privacy can be compromised , if every door you open is recorded on a server in the cloud, then in turn be vulnerable, to cyber attacks , affecting data security.
Also if there is a major power loss , which given our current energy crisis , it may take years before more power stations can be built .
Also the idea of a door, smarter than US one has to ask ‘ why ‘ do we need such hi technology, And re a Hotel , with regular doors and keycard locks, you have a bit of a grace period , if you happen to be a few minutes late to checkout, especially for example people with disabilities. I forsee those systems trapping people’s personal items or potentially, for example if a fire or other emergency broke out , could it even trap the occupant of a room.
That said it’s one advantage would be , the ability to interact with a room key like a modern ,car keyfob, useful if a guest has arms full of bags, etc . Or again those with disabilities.
But one would hope it is more robust in terms of software and understand of the door to be able to 100% of the time , understand the words of any user .
The example of this issue are the multiple times , Alexa or Google fail to understand a basic command .
So while it may seem like a nice idea, it is also perhaps, technology too far . After all could this smart door , collect conversations within the room or around the door , or video , just how far does it go ?. And while technology is neutral, it’s hot It is used or programmed that can make it become a problem.