Technology is a key motivator for home buyers

Downtown Dubai plays host to the trials of cars that drive themselves.

Whether it is test runs of driverless cars, the unveiling of Hyperloop trains or sophisticated drones causing havoc at the airport, it is getter harder to ignore the swift dominance of technology. Now, maybe you are someone who never leaves the house without a selfie stick or you nostalgically miss the sound of dial-up broadband (or even the pre-Internet days). But whichever side you lean on, it is time to admit that our everyday lives are likely to be 'smart' from now on.

Given that the main premise of smart technology is to improve quality of life, it makes sense that smart living is one of the fastest growing areas to evolve from this trend. Global studies show that technology is a key motivator for property investors and home buyers as they prioritise functionality and personal security.

Integrated home automation and fancy gadgets are becoming far more mainstream, not just for the uber rich, as they offer superior energy saving, greater efficiency and even safety. The house of the not-so-distant future is pretty illuminating; get your news on your mirror in the morning, lock your door using identity recognition Bluetooth, have sensor-automated lights, self-regulating temperature control and a super smart fridge that will send you a message when you are running out of milk.

The UAE may be a relatively young country, but it has fostered its own meteoric rise from desert dwelling to modern, cosmopolitan metropolis through consistent innovation and collaborative attitudes. Dubai has embraced the challenge of creating a smart city and technological advancements with an unrivalled abundance, which has seen it catapult up in the global innovation rankings list.

The 2021 plan is ultimately centred on creating a smart and inclusive city that is the preferred place to work, visit and live in the world. This will be achieved by the implementation of futuristic and functional technology into everyday life, thanks to creative cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Mobile penetration
We are already witnessing some of the benefits of living in such a forward-thinking city. Since Dubai has one of the highest mobile penetration rates in the world, it is helpful that almost all of the city's services are available via smartphone and accessible via the city's extensive WiFi provisions.

The world's first 3D 'Office of The Future' was printed and installed in just 19 days in May this year and was constructed from start to finish with 50 per cent lower labour costs than a similar-sized non-printed building would have incurred.

As Downtown Dubai plays host to the trials of cars that drive themselves, we are seeing more and more developments, such as Jumeirah Central, that utilise cutting-edge technologies for construction, design, automation and sociability that will shape the success of these projects from the ground up.

Of course, it isn't just the properties themselves that are digitally adapting. At propertyfinder.ae, you can use our mobile app to view properties, assess building reviews, see nearby schools and explore comprehensive area guides, with our digital gurus expecting viewing a house in person in the future to no longer be a necessity.

The writer is Group CCO at propertyfinder Group. Views expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect the newspaper's policies.