Mumbai:
Builders in Mumbai are trying hard to make Indian homes more tech-savvy. Homes can now be mobile-controlled, doors will open after a fingerprint biometric analysis, and much more.
Rizvi Builders are, in their Carter Road projects, offering machines, which scan and store finger print information. Only if the prints match, will the doors of the house open. Lodha Builders, meanwhile, are providing mobile phone controlled houses. Every appliance in such homes can be controlled via messages sent on the phone.
"If you want the air-conditioner to be switched on 30 minutes before you reach home, you have to send a message to the server. The air-conditioner will automatically start," explained R Karthik, senior vice president, Lodha Builders.
Some builders offer services which make sure one doesn't even have to get up to switch the lights on, or to open curtains. There are elevators that work on the basis of specific swipe cards. Some buildings will also have radio tags attached in the cars, which will open the gates without any help.
"We're striving to get something better than what is already being offered. These applications come at a cost but don't affect the price of the house much. These houses are for the premium class and the new generation wants all this," said Abis Rizvi, of Rizvi builders.
IT expert Vijay Mukhi agrees that such gadgets will make life a lot easier, but says there can be implementation problems. "It might take time for messages to reach the server. And if the mobile phone gets stolen, miscreants could wreak havoc. There might even be a case where the customers are locked out of their own homes," he said.