A new wave of technological advancements is making it easier than ever to plug into a techno-utopian automated lifestyle, as people increasingly expect to exchange minimum input for maximum output.

Tony Fadell, the man who helped oversee the design of Apple's iPod and iPhone, has designed a new thermostat, as beautiful as any Apple device and just as smart inside; a thermostat that promises to 'learn' the patterns of its users.

Imagine you're a cleaner responsible for hundreds of public toilets. How do you know where the dirty ones are? At London's Heathrow Airport, newly installed 'smart toilets' count the number of people using each cubicle, helping make the cleaning process more efficient.

As you leave for work, you yell “lock” and “camera on” to keep the house secure, before telling your vacuum to clean the bedroom carpet while you're out. It's not a sci-fi film - the technology is available now. But do we really want our homes to be controlled by technology?