Smart Homes of the Future: How Electrical Engineering and AI are Transforming Everyday Appliances

Once only a quirky feature in classic science fiction shows such as Star Trek, real-life smart home appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, and TVs are now a science fact.

The twin developments in electrical engineering and artificial intelligence are making this vision a reality for millions of consumers worldwide. 

This development is rapidly changing how we interact with our homes and the myriad appliances that are part of our daily lives.

It’s not just the ease and way of using these appliances that is having such a dramatic effect but also the energy efficiency of our homes, which of course impacts the environment making the world greener and safer for future generations.

These developments are made possible by enabling the optimum integration of sensors, machine-learning algorithms, and data processing.

At the forefront of developing these systems is Gujarat Technological University and San Jose State University graduate Kush Desai, who started as an intern in 2021 at Apple in Cupertino and joined full-time in February 2022 as lead electrical engineer,  a key role in designing the iPhone Pro and Pro Max rear cameras.

Smart homes of the future will seamlessly integrate AI and electrical engineering to create intuitive, responsive environments that anticipate our needs”, says Kush.

“With AI and electrical engineering advancements, everyday appliances will become smarter, more efficient, and capable of learning our habits to enhance convenience and sustainability.”

He adds: “The fusion of AI and electrical engineering in smart homes will revolutionize how we interact with technology, making our lives safer, more comfortable, and energy-efficient.

Before his high-profile present role, Kush also worked for home appliances manufacturer Whirlpool. He designed the Qualcomm SnapDragon-based Hardware Panel to enable AI.

Before coming to the US, he was a hardware engineer in India, which helped him land the product engineer role at Renesas Electronics in San Jose. He was also a teaching associate and instructional student assistant at San Jose State University.

CEO magazine also recognized his leadership skills, technical proficiency, and hardware solutions, noting his ‘significant contributions and outstanding project performance’.

He says: “I enjoy the engineering aspect of these challenges and the practical way success benefits the consumer. “Ultimately, everything is possible if you have the right mindset and approach. 

“I’ve learned that approach involves the principles of dependability, transparency, punctuality, going above and beyond when necessary, and always exemplary leadership.

“Knowing my work is cutting edge and leads to significant success keeps me motivated. Each small success leads to a bigger goal.

“We are in an age when you can imagine the kind of thing that used to appear on Star Trek and start making it a reality.”

One way AI and electrical engineering are developing appliances is by enabling them to adapt and learn from the user and identify habits and preferences.

An example is how smart refrigerators can monitor the food stored in them, suggest use-by-date recipes, and even automatically order groceries whenever those items are running low. 

AI-enabled washing machines optimize water and energy use to create savings by studying the load and determining the best wash.

Sound systems can create playlists to match an occasion, mood, or time of day, such as a favorite song to wake up to or a significant one on a birthday or anniversary.

At the heart of creating smart home tech is the desire to improve the quality of living conditions. Smart thermostats, which already include Google Nest and Ecobee, adjust a home’s temperature based on the preferences of those living there, learning over time to create the most comfortable and efficient living conditions, all while being energy efficient.

A concern in the industry and among consumers with smart homes is data privacy and security implications. Smart homes rely on gathering huge amounts of data, in this case, personal data, which poses risks to individuals’ privacy.

Kush believes this consideration should be at the forefront of his work: “These concerns have to be paramount to me, a creator of this tech, because they are a major concern to the consumer, and of course, they are a concern to the manufacturers with legal implications.

“These are products that will not just respond to commands. They will be intuitive and will analyze huge amounts of data on the user as well: “The hardware I architected will enable the best-possible data processing and AI and will also be enabled to have the best security protection to give the consumer and manufacturer confidence in the product.”

Kush is also aware that cost is a factor and not everyone will be able to pay for the latest tech, at least in the short term.

“These smart products are designed to save money and will be cost-effective, but initially, the cost will likely be prohibitive. Yes, new developments incur costs, but we are trying to keep that cost down.

“The new sensors will enable that. They will be more efficient, faster, and smaller. The advances they will allow are going to change millions of lives.”

But he is adamant: “It’s all about enhancing the quality of life. I aim to create advanced cameras to capture the best possible photos, whatever the light or time of day. That’s because we know people’s memories are so important, and photos are a key to that.

“Likewise, household appliances, though seemingly innocuous, if they work to the user’s specifications, make lives easier, cut down time, save money, and enhance the quality of life.”

Raj Sarvan, Camera SIPI Engineer at Apple Inc. also speaks highly of Kush’s understanding of the importance of AI in smartphone appliances: “Kush has demonstrated exceptional leadership and technical expertise in his domain. His strategic insights and attention to detail were instrumental in guiding our efforts towards successful outcomes. 

“Kush’s leadership in electrical architecture and design, combined with our collaborative efforts, significantly contributed to achieving robust design solutions.”

Having worked closely with Kush at Apple for over two and a half years, he adds: “ Kush has a knack for identifying core issues and finding effective solutions. Whether it’s addressing technical challenges, resolving conflicts, or optimizing processes, he approaches problems methodically and creatively.

“He possesses technical proficiency in relevant tools, software, or methodologies. This expertise allows him to execute tasks efficiently and contribute effectively to projects.”

Khushbu Shah, Lead Hardware Engineer at Cadence Design Systems, says Kush is dedicated to excellence and has an insightful approach to problem-solving which is why he has such an in-depth understanding of this kind of technology: “His ability to

navigate complex technical challenges and his commitment to delivering high-quality results is commendable.

“He has proven himself to be a skilled engineer and a supportive and collaborative team member. 

“Kush’s contributions have been instrumental in achieving project success. And his combination of academic achievements, hands-on experience, and a passion for technology positions him as a valuable asset in any engineering team or collaborative endeavor.” 

She adds, “He is also highly skilled in circuit schematic and PCB layout design and has superior domain knowledge of Signal Integrity and Analog/Mixed-Signal Design.

“Kush brings a strong innovation mindset to the table. Working with him, you can expect to explore new ideas, innovate solutions to complex problems, and push the boundaries of  what’s possible in your projects.”

In conclusion, Kush says he is mindful that many product-based companies are now designing and building smart products, and there are challenges: “Integrating these products into one seamless user experience for the consumer is, of course, a challenge.

“We don’t want the experience of using this tech to be complex and frustrating. The answer is unified standards so all products can integrate efficiently. It’s another key to the design, as well as the cybersecurity considerations.

“These products will most likely be controlled via a phone, tablet, or laptop as well as devices like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home.

“Developers and engineers need to design AI systems that are also transparent about data usage. Along with the environmental benefits, environmental considerations in the manufacturing process must also be factored into this advance.

“The development of smart homes cannot come at the planet’s expense.”
Undoubtedly, in the years ahead, we will see a transformation in how we use and interact with our home appliances. They will make our living spaces and lives more comfortable, efficient, and intelligent. They will save us time and money, impacting us and the planet.

“The kind of ultra-powerful sensors I am working on now at Apple makes the products incredibly small and powerful. They are revolutionary.

“It is an exciting time to be leading this industry. I still have the same excitement as when I was a child learning about electronic devices and physics.

“To have maintained my excitement and enthusiasm is a privilege, and I am determined to relish being a leader in this hi-tech world in the years ahead.”