Disney revives 'House of the Future'

[jackskellington101]

From an AP report

 

Disney Revives 'House of the Future'

 

By GILLIAN FLACCUS – 6 hours ago

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Millions of Disneyland visitors lined up a half-century ago to catch a glimpse of the future: a home teeming with mind-blowing gadgets such as handsfree phones, wall-sized televisions, plastic chairs, and electric razors and toothbrushes.

 

The "House of the Future," a pod-shaped, all-plastic dwelling that quickly seemed quaint closed its doors a decade later. Now Disney is set to open a new abode in Tomorrowland — this time in partnership with 21st century technology giants.

 

The 5,000-square-foot home scheduled to open in May will look like a normal suburban home outside, but inside it will feature hardware, software and touch-screen systems that could simplify everyday living.

 

Lights and thermostats will automatically adjust when people walk into a room. Closets will help pick out the right dress for a party. Countertops will be able to identify groceries set on them and make menu suggestions.

 

The $15 million home is a collaboration of The Walt Disney Co., Microsoft Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., software maker LifeWare and homebuilder Taylor Morrison.

 

Visitors will experience the look of tomorrow by watching Disney actors playing a family of four preparing for a trip to China.

 

"It's much different than a spiel that you would get at a trade show," said Dave Miller, director of alliance development for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. "We won't get into the bits and the bytes. It will be about the digital lifestyle and how that lifestyle can help you."

 

The actors will be in a flurry of cooking, packing and picture-taking designed to emphasize cutting-edge features in the home's two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room, study and back yard.

 

Much of the project will showcase a network that makes the house "smart" and follows family members from room to room — even adjusting artwork — to preset personal preferences.

 

When a resident clicks a TV remote, for example, lights will dim, music will shut off and the shades will draw as the network realizes a movie is about to start.

 

The system will allow residents to transfer digital photos, videos and music among televisions and computers in different rooms at the click of a button. Other applications still in development could include touch-screen technology built into appliances, furniture and countertops, said Joe Belfiore, Microsoft's vice president for entertainment services.

 

In the kitchen, for example, touchpad software on the countertop would be able to identify groceries and produce recipes and meal suggestions. Similar programs could turn a desktop into a computer screen, allowing residents to load photos, music or e-mail onto a cell phone by placing it on the desk.

 

Mirrors and closets could identify clothes and suggest matching outfits, complimentary colors or track what apparel is at the cleaners or in the wash.

 

The home will also feature new uses for devices that many visitors may already own, as well as technologies that are still five or 10 years down the road, said Mike Seamons, vice president of marketing at LifeWare, which makes home automation software.

 

"If people walk through there and say, 'I don't have anything in this house at all,' then we've totally failed," Seamons said. "We're not waiting for robots to happen in order for it to be a reality."

 

When it comes to aesthetics, designers decided to stray from the Jetsons-style House of the Future — an all-plastic cross design with four wing-shaped bays that appeared to float. The house was so tough that wrecking balls bounced off it when Disney ripped it down in 1967.

 

The new home will be made of wood and steel and finished in muted browns and beiges, said Sheryl Palmer, president and chief executive of Taylor Morrison in North America.

 

"The 1950s home didn't look like anything, anywhere. It was space-age and kind of cold," she said. "We didn't want the (new) home to intimidate the visitors. We want the house to be real accessible to our guests."

 

This just sounds like a fancy Innoventions exibit now. What do ya'll think?

[Moose]

I have a feeling this dwelling will "quickly seem quaint" much sooner than the decade it took the first one.

[mr_teisco_delrey]

The $15 million home is a collaboration of The Walt Disney Co., Microsoft Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., software maker LifeWare and homebuilder Taylor Morrison.

 

 

Much of the project will showcase a network that makes the house "smart" and follows family members from room to room — even adjusting artwork — to preset personal preferences.

 

 

 

Maybe Microsoft could make "Clippy" part of the home. I'm sorry but all the software and following me around MY house would be a little too creepy. I'll pass.

[cfc]

Come on, everybody sing!

 

"There's a great big beautiful tomorrow/

Shining at the end of every day!"

 

I don't see this "attraction" having much in the way of legs unless they really update it--a lot.

[palmerleeberry]

As for my take on the House of the Future, I guess every generation needs to have a look into the possible future that may or may not come true. Such exhibits would amaze and inspire the future coaster riders (aka - children) of the exciting prospects of the future. Of course, in the past, the houses of the future often exhibits items may not become fashionable (like the "egg, toast, and coffee machine" that will make coffee, boil eggs, and make toast in one push of a button. That hasn't appear on the Wal-mart shelves yet and it's been fifteen years!), but still it is fun to image the future.

 

Still, it's often possible that the house of the future could miss some things that are now commonplace today. I never seen ipods, home theaters, and recliners with the add-on remote controls built in ever featured in a house of the future in the past. But having home security systems and televisions with a billion channels were depected before and are now here today.

 

Still, I'm interested to see what the house of the future will be depected and see what the house of the future becomes in reality.

[YoshiFan]

It sounds interesting, I would have liked to seen the original even more though. I enjoy seeing what people thought the future would be like 50 years ago.

 

Disney Channel used to show stuff like that late at night, I remember one show about the highway of the future that showed a car that drove itself. Plus they showed old Disneyland shows. So much better than the shows on the channel now.

[mr_teisco_delrey]

Come on, everybody sing!

 

"There's a great big beautiful tomorrow/

Shining at the end of every day!"

 

I don't see this "attraction" having much in the way of legs unless they really update it--a lot.

 

You nailed it! The last time I was at Innoventions in 04', I thought that my local CompUSA was more advanced.

[RIP Psyclone]

"In the year 2000..."

[COASTER FREAK 11]

It just sucks that we will be stuck with it for another 5 years, its just such a waste of a building.

[ebl]

"Plus they showed old Disneyland shows. So much better than the shows on the channel now." (YoshiFan)

 

I miss seeing the old Mickey Mouse Club episodes. But, unfortunately, The Disney Channel has to keep up with the times. Today's young 'uns don't relate to the old stuff.

 

Where are they putting this "House of the Future?"

 

Eric

[FitchCoaster]

Although I agree it's going to get old pretty fast, I think it's going to be an ice new addition to Tomorrowland. I mean, they really haven't really added anything too "tomorrow" or futuristic in ages. I think while it lasts, it will be pretty entertaining.. if they pull it off right.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

Where are they putting this "House of the Future?"

 

Eric

 

From what I got from it, the whole Innoventions building will be the "house".

[cfc]

It just sucks that we will be stuck with it for another 5 years, its just such a waste of a building.

 

Hey, as long as they have a robot butler.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

It had better walk like Asimo then.

[Jew]

OH NO!!! ADVERTISING!!! HOW DARE THEY!!!!

[jamesdillaman]

^ Yeah but this is Disney. It has magic.

 

 

-James Dillaman

[BeemerBoy]

In the kitchen, for example, touchpad software on the countertop would be able to identify groceries and produce recipes and meal suggestions.

 

Mirrors and closets could identify clothes and suggest matching outfits, complimentary colors or track what apparel is at the cleaners or in the wash.

 

Translation: It'll be a house for wealthy morons who can't think for themselves.

 

Of all the "yesteryear" things to resurrect, they chose this? Fail.

[mcjaco]

It just sucks that we will be stuck with it for another 5 years, its just such a waste of a building.

 

Hey, as long as they have a robot butler.

 

If we can dream it, we can do it.

 

or

 

Hello Mr. Jetson, my name is Rosie.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

Eww, I just pictured a Rosie Robot, haha.

[cfc]

^Talk about your nightmare fuel.