Homes to get smart in 2014

A Belkin Crock-Pot WeMo Smart Slow Cooker is displayed during "CES Unveiled," in Las Vegas, Nevada. The crock-pot can be controlled remotely via a smartphone. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

Las Vegas - “Smart homes” and “smart cars” are the main technology trends the world will see in 2014, electronics companies predicted Sunday, a day before the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas begins.

A service enabling televisions, home appliances and smartphones to be connected and managed through a single device is its pick for the top trend, South Korea's Samsung Electronics said.

The Smart Home service allows the remote control of refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners and can also be managed through voice control, it said ahead of the annual technology fair, known for its previews and debuts of new gadgets.

Smart home appliances can automatically provide their owners with notifications when they are in need of repair and can transmit digital footage of their surroundings, which can then be accessed remotely by users.

Jong Soo Kim gives a demonstration of Moneual's Rydis H68 Pro Hybrid Robot Vacuum during "CES Unveiled," a media preview event to the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), in Las Vegas, Nevada. The robot can vacuum, wet-mop floors and uses smart vision technology to map out floor plans. REUTERS/Steve Marcus

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Electronics companies have been trying to jump on the home automation bandwagon for years, but high prices have meant that the trend has not managed to establish itself.

Germany's Bosch company is currently working on establishing an industry standard for technology companies developing smart home devices.

The Las Vegas fair, which is not open to the public, allows the electronics industry to share insights into new tech trends as well as allowing companies to promote their new products.Other new trends to emerge ahead of the electronics fair include the so-called smart car, which will include an integrated data recording device, combining audio and visual data as well as driver information. General Motors' new Corvette Stingray will include the technology.