The Smart House hybrid cable (left) will deliver power, control/data signals, and audio/video/telephone signals to every outlet in the house. Its simplicity should appeal to today's electrician, who currently must install most of the wiring shown on the right. The promise of an electronically controlled home has intrigued some of us for years, and threatened others. But like it or not, electronic automation is taking shape in today's homes-and builders should take notice—particularly custom builders serving the upper end of the market. A conservative estimate of the market for "smart homes" would be "about one-third of the home-buying public, depending on demographics and location," according to Michael McGrath, Director of Customer Programs for the Edison Electric Institute,
