Smart home devices promise to improve our lives by making housework easier and hobbies more accessible. But early efforts were disappointing: robot hoovers bounced into walls, smart speakers misunderstood almost every command, and clunky kitchen tools gathered dust at the back of a cupboard. Now, a new wave of gadgets, supercharged by artificial intelligence, is changing the way we live and interact with technology. 

In 2024, nearly 70 million American households used a smart device, according to independent research company Statista, up 10% from the previous year. Those devices range from subtle systems like digital thermostats to household robots performing physical tasks. 

Early smart tech suffered from clunky controls, but new gadgets benefit from voice input. This one change has caused a significant shift in our relationship with technology.As a species, we’re prone to anthropomorphism, when we attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects. Countless studies have shown that we treat faceless machines differently from those that can smile, blink, and frown. The rise of voice-recognition technology in the home means we talk to our devices, making them more human. 

“When they are smart and when they are designed to be anthropomorphized, or even if the design is agnostic, we tend to anthropomorphize them. That might affect the way we look at other humans,” explains Taha Yassari, Chair of the Center for Sociology of Humans and Machines at Trinity College Dublin.

Professor Elyakim Kislev, author of the book “Relationships 5.0: How AI, VR, and Robots Will Reshape Our Emotional Lives,” agrees. “The more we chat with these systems, the more we expect instant, tidy answers from each other. Long pauses or messy feelings in a friend can feel wrong after a bot replies in a blink and never argues.” 

However, they can also help tackle loneliness. “For those who live alone, smart devices ease chores, remind us about medicine, and even offer light conversation. Robot pets and video companions cut stress and help pass long evenings,” Kislev adds. 

For most of us, smart devices are time-saving investments rather than companions. Smart gadgets can rescue us from grueling chores, saving time better spent on hobbies or work. But Jill Duffy, a productivity expert and author of the book, “Get Organized: How to Clean Up Your Messy Digital Life,” urges caution. “Devices that actually help our productivity the most are usually things that help to curb distraction and minimize the amount that technology is really bothering you.” She suggests banning smart devices from work settings, disabling their notifications, and choosing simple gadgets over more elaborate offerings. 

The best gadgets solve a significant and immediate problem or enhance the enjoyment of our favorite hobbies. They should work quietly in the background and offer strict privacy controls. With that in mind, here are five smart devices that may help you around the garden this summer.

There are a plethora of robotic lawnmowers to choose from – even Lamborghini makes one. The Lymow One, which made its debut at CES earlier this year, mulches leaves, sticks and even fallen fruit; apparently it’s the first robot mower to do so thanks to its heavy-duty mulching blades, rather than lateral scissor blades. 

The fully autonomous robot mower’s tank-like tracks (versus conventional wheels) allow it to power up 45-degree slopes and mow up to 1.73 acres in a single day. The One’s boundary-wire-free navigation system autoscans the yard and then allows for users to draw keep-out zones via phone, shaving up to an hour off initial setup. 

Available to pre-order, $2,199; lymow.com 

If your grill game is lacking, this AI-powered monster can spare your BBQ blushes this summer. With a single click, the grill handles the temperatures, timings, and adjustments for whatever you’re cooking. 

It features Vera, a “generative grilling AI,” which can cook anything you want. The grill boasts 450 square inches of cooking space and a temperature range of 180ºF to 500ºF. 

$349.99; briskitgrills.com 
Affiliate links: Amazon, briskitgrills.com (ShareASale)

Ramp up your summer party with an intelligent beer machine. This device gives you a perfect pour at home and keeps a 202oz keg of beer cool and fresh for up to 30 days. 

Users can choose from a wide variety of beers to fill it. The PerfectDraft app adds to the experience, letting you track the temperature and monitor freshness and beer levels. Smart pour technology means you’re not relying on a steady hand to enjoy the perfect refreshment. 

$299.99; perfectdraft.com

Smart glass doors are a rare type of smart device that improves your home’s privacy. With a single switch, you can shut out the world and the light, shutting out distractions. The technology uses Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal glass, which can be transformed from clear to private instantly. The switch can be activated manually, via an app, or by voice controls. 

The doors are also energy efficient and are reinforced for security. 

The best smart technology makes hobbies more accessible, and smart telescopes certainly fit into that category. The eVscope 2 is operated via your phone and can pick out planets, stars, and galaxies while you sit indoors enjoying the view. The app comes with a sky catalog, allowing you to click and observe over 5,000 interstellar objects. Manual focus and collimation is also available if you’re a more hardened star-gazer. 

$4,699; shop.unistellar.com