Imagine a world in which your garage door opens automatically as you pull into the driveway.
The living room lights and heater turn on - perhaps the oven starts warming up, too.
In the so-called "smart home", cars, appliances and other devices all have sensors and internet connectivity to think and act for themselves, and make your life easier.
We're not there just yet, but we're getting closer. Tech experts say it will probably be another two years before devices are cheap and widespread enough for the typical consumer.
The smart-home concept is known in tech circles as the Internet of Things. Current iterations primarily include our ability to control gadgets such as lights and security alarms or view data remotely through a smartphone app.
At the International CES gadget show in Las Vegas this week, manufacturers have been promoting more devices and functionality. Some gadgets will be able to talk directly with one another, not just to an app.
That garage door? Mercedes-Benz would like people to imagine their luxury car of the future pulling in all by itself, without a driver behind the wheel, to bring its passengers home.
The Internet of Things could mean big business for gadget makers, too.
The Consumer Electronics Association projects sales of smart energy and security systems alone will total $US574 million ($A621 million) this year, a 23 per cent increase from 2014.
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