http://www.straitstimes.com/business...-ready-in-2019
EC with 'smart homes' to be ready in 2019
Sheryl Lee
A residential project to be built at Canberra Link in Sembawang will be Singapore's first executive condominium with what are called smart homes.
The 99-year-leasehold The Visionaire, which will be completed in 2019, will have smart lock systems complete with cameras that will allow residents to monitor visitors and control who gains access to their homes through their smart devices.
Owners will also be able to control household appliances like air conditioners and washing machines remotely using their mobile phones or tablets under the smart home system, which has been developed in partnership with tech giant Samsung.
Mr Li Jun, general manager of developer Qingjian, said yesterday that the idea behind the 632-unit The Visionaire was to get people to incorporate technology to improve every aspect of their daily lives. "We hope that taking this first step will encourage other industry leaders to develop more homes of the future," he said in Mandarin.
"Such smart homes are also in line with the Government's vision of a smart nation," Mr Li added, but acknowledged that some people still find the idea of a smart home uncomfortable. "In that case, they can choose to opt out of the smart system," he said.
First-year subscription fees for the smart system will be paid by Qingjian. Details for the subsequent years have yet to be finalised. Qingjian said it is looking at $750 to $800 per square foot for the units, which will range from 721 sq ft for a two-bedroom apartment to 1,581 sq ft for a four-bedroom apartment.
Bookings for the units will commence on April 23.