Panasonic’s new D Series Windea is bringing to reality the next step in the evolution of the “smart house”.

Some of the key functionality with this unit:

- Visitors to your house will trigger a message to your smart device – you can correspond via your smart device – so that even if you are out, you won’t miss contact with your visitors

- Energy consumption in your house can be tracked – electricity, gas, water. You can compare different days and have an ongoing understanding of expenses for the month

- If you have an electric powered car, the intercom can alert you to when charging is completed and you are ready to be on your way.

Panasonic says that they will continue to refine and add to the functionality to make this a true console for the “smart house”.

As an overview for readers outside of Japan, most Japanese apartments and houses have some kind of intercom through which visitors, delivery people, etc. call on residents. There is a box at the building lobby or house front door. Inside, an interface shows a video feed of who is calling and allows residents to talk to visitors.

We agree that it is a logical extension of this already existing monitor to add useful functionality that can be used by the household.

The unit will be available from May, 2013 and will run between 138,000 yen and 182,000 yen, depending on specifications.