The Internet of Things has seen a rise in the interconnectivity of devices, cars and buildings. Almost everything seems to have a ‘smart’ alternative now. ‘Smart’ devices consist of those which were already digital, such as speakers and TVs, as well as conventionally analogue objects such as watches.
IoT insider looks at the latest fad: smart mirrors. According to Home Streamliner, a smart mirror consists of a monitor and tiny computer behind a two-way mirror. The display can act much like a smart watch, showing you the time, news, weather forecast or your calendar.
Smart mirrors vary in complexity, the most basic deliver the aforementioned offerings, but more advanced ones have interactive touch screens with voice assistants and other sensors.
Raspberry Pi
Depending on how your DIY skills are, many people choose to build their own smart mirrors. Buying one outright is often expensive, dependent on the features it offers. Mirrors that double as TVs can cost thousands, or basic smart mirrors may be a few hundred.
In its simplest form, a smart mirror is just a mirror with a screen behind it. The size of the mirror obviously corresponds to the size of the device and many people suggest you repurpose old computer monitors into smart mirrors.
You can build a smart mirror using an old LCD monitor, a raspberry pi and a two-way mirror. DIY experts usually suggest adding a frame to the mirror – though this is optional – as it can make the final result look less homemade.
Why do you need one?
Like the majority of smart devices, people have lived without smart mirrors since the world began and could very well continue to do so. Though having a smart mirror is not a necessity, it’s certainly a lavish luxury that you may want to deck your house out with.
We’ve compiled a list of purpose-built smart mirrors that could enrich your life in ways you didn’t know it needed!
Bathroom
A smart mirror in the bathroom can adjust its backlights to change the brightness, offering more realistic reflections that imitate the outdoors. Bathroom smart mirrors that double as a TV can also offer some quality visual and audio entertainment whilst in the bath. Many are built with an anti-fog function to ensure that the mirror remains clear amidst steam.
Fitness
An uptake of smart mirrors for fitness purposes has been observed, particularly since the wake of the pandemic which saw a rise of home exercising. Depending on your investment, fitness mirrors can provide rigorous and personalised training programmes and provide effective remote coaching.
Aside from the obvious benefits of watching yourself train or work out, the digital coach can provide bespoke feedback tailored to your build and performance. The training may be live
Beauty
Beauty comes from within, as they say. Though smart mirrors offer obvious benefits for anyone getting ready or doing their makeup, more innovative ones can deliver positive affirmations to users.
LastBasic is a startup that allows digital entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life. Odyssia Houtis used the company to produce the smart affirmation mirror, which combines a beautiful and sleek homeware product with healthtech innovation. Displaying motivational quotes that are controlled through a smart phone, the mirror aims to discourage and disrupt cycles of negative thinking as users accept the positive messages.
