From Tomorrow’s World To Today’s Homes: How Eco-Tech Became A Reality

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Back in 1995, TV programme Tomorrow’s World imagined 2025 as a world with robot surgeons, floating holograms, and subdermal microchip bank accounts. Thirty years later, Hive’s Home Report 2025 shows how homes are being transformed in equally exciting, but far more practical, ways.

The research, based on insights from over 4,000 UK households, shows that while some of the predictions never materialised, one did: solar power. Tomorrow’s World foresaw a future of self-generating homes, and as the Hive Home Report reveals, that vision is beginning to take shape, with energy-saving innovations now transforming everyday life.

Today, 28% of homes now use at least one eco-tech device, with solar power leading the charge as the UK’s favourite green home upgrade. More than 1.6 million households now generate their own energy with panels, with nearly seven in ten (69%) owners saying it quickly cut their bills.

But while the “house of the future” is becoming a reality, progress isn’t universal. Smart thermostats, EV chargers and solar panels are are seeing growing uptake, yet almost three quarters of homes (72%) still haven’t adopted any eco-tech. The report finds the main barrier is cost perception: four in ten (40%) non-adopters believe eco-tech is too expensive, despite owners reporting the opposite with lower bills and greater control over their energy.

Maggie Philbin, former Tomorrow’s World presenter, said: “It’s fascinating to look back at the predictions we made on Tomorrow’s World and see just how many have come to life. We imagined homes of 2025 featuring voice-controlled devices, domestic robots, and walls that doubled as screens. But the most successful prediction has been the rise of energy-saving technology. Eco-tech in the home has always promised to make life easier, smarter and greener — and what Hive’s research shows is that people will embrace these innovations if they can see real, everyday cost benefits.”

Looking ahead, futurist Tom Cheesewright believes the next 30 years will bring even more radical change: “Homes are set to get even smarter and more sustainable. Soon, your kitchen hob could be hidden in the worktop, your wallpaper could light up instead of bulbs, and your house could generate and store all of its own energy. AI will run it all in the background, adjusting everything from heating to lighting so life just works around you.”

Tom’s top five predictions for the homes of tomorrow:

1. Invisible kitchens: Hobs integrated into worktops for seamless design.
2. Lighting wallpaper: Glowing walls and ceilings instead of bulbs.
3. AI-powered living: Homes that adjust heating, lighting and doors automatically.
4. The end of the plug: Fewer 3-pin sockets, with wireless charging instead.
5. Personal power plants: Every home generating and storing its own energy.

Tom Pakenham, Director at Hive, added: “The people have spoken: cost savings drive change. Our report shows eco-tech already cuts bills, but misconceptions remain. Hive is committed to breaking down those barriers, so every household can access the benefits of the future home today. We’re also introducing solutions that tackle the upfront cost barrier, such as subscription-style options, making it easier for households to adopt eco-tech without a large initial investment."

“The research shows that while the robots and virtual reality of Tomorrow’s World aren’t yet mainstream, the dream of smarter, more efficient homes is already here, with eco-tech saving money today, and shaping the homes of tomorrow.”

Hive offers an ecosystem of connected products designed to make homes smarter, greener, and more efficient. From smart thermostats, heating and cooling controls, and lighting solutions, to EV chargers and home batteries, Hive’s integrated system helps households save energy, cut costs, and take control of their homes, all from a single app.

Download the full report here.