High-Tech in Your Home

Home technology that once seemed like pure science fiction—or at least something from The Jetsons—is increasingly becoming a reality. Yet few families can top the Burke-Contes' cutting-edge "smart house" near Seattle.

Almost everything in the house is computerized. When the children come home from school, they open the front door by waving their wristwatches over a scanner hidden in the wall.

Even the grocery list gets an upgrade! Homeowner Brian says a scanner system keeps an updated list of what's in stock in the pantry and can even reorder more food when something runs out. "It can recommend recipes to fit what you have in the cupboard," he says.