Smart home technology took centre stage at IFA 2026 in Berlin, where brands from across the globe gathered to showcase how connected gadgets can be added to homes in almost every conceivable way. Alongside foldable phones, innovative alarm clocks and even flying car concepts, it was home tech that truly dominated the show floor.
From televisions and lighting to appliances and full-room ecosystems, the exhibition halls offered a glimpse of what a fully automated household could look like. Several standout products captured attention for their design, functionality and integration.
Screens, Lighting and Home Brewing
The LG OLED EVO AI 83W6 stood out as a centrepiece for any living room. The large-format television impressed with its vivid colours and exceptionally slim profile, making it well suited to wall mounting without appearing out of place.
Lighting also featured prominently. Govee smart lights were shown fitted along the underside of a sofa, producing multicoloured strips of illumination that gave a living space an arcade-style glow. The demonstration highlighted how ambient lighting can be adapted to suit different moods and settings.
For those who enjoy a homemade tipple, the iGulu F1 Smart Home Brewer offered an automated brewing setup. Users simply add the ingredients for their chosen beer, such as a classic English bitter, and the system handles the rest of the process. Taster samples were available on the stand.
Xiaomi’s Connected Ecosystem
Cooling technology was represented by the Xiaomi Mijia Refrigerator Pro Cryo. The appliance uses various forms of compression and airflow to keep contents cooler and fresher for longer, an approach designed to extend the life of food and help reduce household food waste. It can also keep water below freezing point without it turning to ice, with shaking the bottle causing ice crystals to form.
Xiaomi presented a wide range of products across the show, but it was the way its devices worked together as an ecosystem that drew the most interest. In a smart bedroom demonstration, sitting on the bed with a book prompted AI-enabled cameras to switch on the bedside lamp, adjust the bed into a comfortable reading position, turn on the air conditioning and draw the curtains closed.
The wider concept extends automation across the entire home. After the dishwasher is loaded, a robot vacuum is triggered to clean the floor following cooking. Opening the door of a Xiaomi car parked on the driveway is also recognised as part of the connected system, allowing the home to respond automatically to a resident’s movements and actions throughout the day.
