Is “Smart” Technology “Sustainably” Smart Enough?

Pranjal Rastogi

The word “smart” is ubiquitous in daily language, especially in the field of technology. The word itself is derived from the Old English smeortan and German schmerzen, meaning ‘causing sharp pain’. This relates directly to being “brisk” or “keen”, and now “mentally keen”. In the context of technology, however, smart tech refers to the integration of multiple technologies. S. Poslad, in his book “Ubiquitous Computing,” describes smart technology as something that isn’t autonomous. Objectively speaking, smart tech doesn’t exist in isolation, it connects and communicates with other devices.

Launched in 1975, the X10 was the first smart device. It was a communication protocol standard (set of rules) and a family of devices that facilitated interaction between appliances and control modules. These control modules allowed you to operate everything from lights to thermostats around the house. The X10 used wires and required extensive amounts of time and money to install. Yet, it wasn’t reliable and required constant maintenance and upkeep. Nonetheless, the X10 kickstarted the development of more advanced smart technology.

The word smart was next used in the context of the smartphone. A tremendous amount of new utility was added. With wireless communication, people didn’t have to use bulky computers to check their email or schedule meetings. As communication networks advanced, you could even send pictures and audio from your phone. A smart device added significant utility. It was considered more efficient, more productive, and more useful. 

Since then, smart has become a term for any technology that communicates with the internet or sends a message to your phone. The word is also used to describe algorithmic optimizations or features that enhance a product. In their book “Smart Technologies,” K. Worden et al. argue that the words intelligent and smart are used as tools to market new products but oftentimes this is done with little thought as to what they imply.

Many devices have “smart” functions that provide little utility. Switching on a water kettle from a phone is pointless if you still have to go to the kitchen to fill it. Having a dedicated reminder system built into an egg tray is also unnecessary; a reminder system on the phone would work just fine. From a fork to a bottle to a shoe, there is smart connectivity in everything. Are these devices really “smart”? Do they add significant utility? 

As Steve Jobs said, “Every once in a while, a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything.” Smart devices must fall into this category. When the iPhone was launched, it introduced a touch screen with 40% more real estate and a user interface that was optimized for each application. Even though it wasn’t the first smartphone, it was the first truly smart device. Not only did it add significant utility, but it also incorporated the subjective context of innovation and accessibility that dominated the first decade of the 21st century.  

Likewise, the definition of what is considered “smart” must evolve for today’s context. Being sustainable is a core requirement. As per UN estimates, by 2050 the temperature increase will be close to 1.5 degrees Celsius, leading to a significant reduction in crop yields. The global damage caused by rising sea levels is projected to be $1.6 trillion. The air will be troublesome to breathe and more than 50% of the world's population will confront water scarcity. As we continue to accelerate at breakneck speed, technology must be employed to curb the overuse of natural resources. Smart technology should incorporate this aspect of sustainability; it should provide an embedded sustainable solution and integrate the principles of sustainable design.

Let’s take a look at motorized vacuum cleaners. A smart vacuum cleaner removes dust by moving around a room in loops. You can control it from your phone and it can be configured to clean at a specific time each day, minimizing the need for human intervention. This, however, utilizes a tremendous amount of energy. Unlike you and me, who clean where dust is visibly present, a smart vacuum cleaner goes around in loops, cleaning every corner, irrespective of whether it is dusty or not. Perhaps the “smart” vacuum cleaner can be programmed to mimic human decision-making, detecting dust on the floor and changing its path accordingly.   

Another important factor to consider is the raw material used for manufacturing a device. A smartphone, for example, can be smarter by being completely recyclable, or even better, having components that are reusable. Technology is transient: most devices turn into e-waste after 2-3 years. E-waste constitutes 70% of all toxic waste, almost 50 million metric tonnes. As per the UN’s “Global E-waste Monitor 2020,” only 17.4% of this waste is recycled and most of it is thrown away or transported from the Global North to the Global South. Writing for the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Paula T. Whitacre elaborates on the impact of e-waste dumping in China. In 2019, 10.72 million tons of e-waste was shipped to cities like Guiyu, where citizens not only live in a degraded landscape but are also subjected to lead poisoning and mercury toxicity caused by towering piles of e-waste. Thus, the footprint a device leaves when it is discarded should also be considered in its design.

The writer is a first-year BTech student at Plaksha University
 

Reusability can also be enhanced by making devices that are easier to repair. Amsterdam-based Fairphone is rated 10/10 on repairability by iFixit, a leading right-to-repair community with 1 million members. With easy-to-understand guides and detailed specifications for individual parts, Fairphone empowers its customers to source the right materials and take accountability for repairing their own devices. This, however, comes at the cost of affordability. Fairphone 4, for instance, is priced at €579 (52,313 INR). If sustainability has to become a reality, it must be tied to accessibility. 

The word smart should not just refer to internet connectivity or significant utility addition but it should also invoke the idea of sustainability. If we are to secure our future on this planet, it is imperative to realize this evolving definition of smart technology. Companies must both be incentivized and mandated to fulfil eco-friendly design requirements and work towards affordability. Consumers should raise awareness and opt for eco-friendly products. They must educate themselves on the proper disposal of e-waste and a renewed focus must be placed on the efficient use of smart devices. It must be understood that promoting sustainable smart technology is not the sole responsibility of the private sector, the government and civil society must join hands in advocating for a greener, smarter, and more sustainable future.