In the age of the Digital Dwelling, it’s not uncommon for residences to be, arguably, smarter and better connected than their residents. Indeed, the humble homeowner could only too easily feel wholly outnumbered and outclassed by the legion of genius-level gadgets they have to contend with, with everything from lighting and temperature systems to audio players and TVs seemingly chipped, chippy and constantly in conversation with one another through the miracle that is the Internet of Things (IoT). Thankfully, though, the high-tech tide may be about to turn, and it’s all down to one apparently innocuous device devised by a particularly wily Japanese start-up.

Known as the Mui Smart Display, the device – on first glance at least – looks disconcertingly similar to a plank of wood. First impressions, however, can be deceptive as the unit – the debut design by Kyoto-based Mui Lab – is actually a touchscreen-enabled smart display that puts you back in control of your high-tech home, allowing you to tweak every connected device using just one highly-convenient control panel.

Its built-in Google Assistant feature can even detect voice commands and respond verbally or on screen. The first commercially-available Mui Smart Display units are expected to roll off the production line in September this year, so there’s still time to be among the first to be able to truly put your digital house in order. mui.jp