From controlling lighting to remotely turning on the washing machine, smart homes have widely been hailed as the future of living.

For those of us who don't have a 'smart home' - or perhaps can't afford one - an Amsterdam-based company has come to the rescue with a way to transform 'dumb' technology into connected devices.

The firm does this by designing little add-ons that turn physical experiences into digital ones, such as flicking the kettle on or turning on a record player.

For those of us who don't have a 'smart home' - or perhaps can't afford one - an Amsterdam-based company has come to the rescue with a way to transform 'dumb' technology into connected devices. Pictured is an actuator being used on a record player

THE INTERNET OF THINGS The Internet of Things (IoT) is a broad category that refers to devices or sensors that connect, communicate or transmit information over the web. Products range from printers and baby monitors to thermostats and fridges. Research firm Gartner estimates there are 8.4 billion connected 'things' in use in 2017, up 31 per cent from 2016. By 2020 this number could reach 20.4 billion, with smart TVs and digital set-top boxes the most popular consumer gadgets. While they are convenient, such gadgets can present an easy targets for hackers. They could also allow ISPs to spy on their users, according to a new Princeton study. Advertisement

The internet of things (IoT) is the idea that every major appliance can be connected to the internet and often by extension to your smartphone.

'Every week new "smart" home devices are released onto the market', a spokesperson wrote on the website of Amsterdam-based firm Frolic Studio.

'But such devices are expensive, have limited functionality, and encourage waste - consumers are increasingly tempted to upgrade from their old devices for those with more brain cells.

'But why discard perfectly functional, efficient products when you can transform those very same devices into smart ones?'.

This transformation is achieved through tiny actuators that work as mechanical add-ons - performing a specific functional like pulling, pushing, twisting, rotating or releasing.

They can turn lights on and off, put the kettle on, and even water the plants.

Users simply snap the add-on - dubbed a Smartian - on to the device and tactile experiences around the house become smart ones.

They work remotely through the app, which lets users set timers and even create routines - for instance, switching on the heater and opening the blinds every morning.

'Smartians are made both for those who love to hack things, as well as people who just want to improve their old devices as easily as possible', the firm said.

'Save money by not buying the newest gadgets and add a little quirkiness to your home!'

From controlling lighting to remotely turning on the washing machine, smart homes have widely been hailed as the future of living. Pictured is an actuator being used on a kettle

The firm does this by designing little add-ons that can turn physical experiences into digital ones, such as flicking the kettle on or turning on watering the plants (pictured)

The internet of things (IoT) is the idea that every major appliance can be connected to the internet and, in turn to your smartphone

The tiny actuators work as mechanical add-ons that perform a specific functionality like pulling, pushing, twisting, rotating and releasing

Research firm Gartner estimates that there are 8.4 billion connected 'things' in use in 2017, up 31 per cent from 2016.

By 2020 this number could reach 20.4 billion, with smart TVs and digital set-top boxes the most popular consumer gadgets.

Privacy advocates have long raised concerns about the safety of connected home devices.

Last year experts from Princeton University discovered that increasingly popular internet connected smart devices may give broadband providers intrusive insights into our personal lives.

Information transmitted by products ranging from home security cameras, toasters and sleep monitors could be sold to third parties to help them target their products.

The actuators can turn lights on and off (pictured), put the kettle on, and even water the plants

Users simply snap the add-on on to the device, dubbed a Smartian, and the tactile experiences around the house become smart ones. Pictured is an actuator being used on a thermostat

The add-ons work remotely through the app, which enables users to set timers and even make routines - for instance, switching on the heater and opening the blinds every morning

Data revealed by more personal smart items, from medical equipment to vibrators, could represent a significant breach of our privacy

Data revealed by more personal smart items, from medical equipment to vibrators, could represent a significant breach of our privacy.

This information is relatively unprotected and can reveal private information about our personal habits, researchers found.

This could range from when we access an internet connected baby monitor to our use of smart sex toys.

This information could be passed on to advertisers and other third-parties under US law, according to reports in New Scientist, although the EU and the UK are bringing in protections.

Privacy advocates have long raised concerns about the safety of connected home devices. Last year experts discovered that increasingly popular internet connected smart devices may give broadband providers intrusive insights into our personal lives

Pictured is an actuator opening the blinds. 'Every week new 'smart' home devices are released onto the market', a spokesperson wrote on the website of Amsterdam-based firm Frolic Studio

'Smartians (pictured) are made both for those who love to hack things, as well as people who just want to improve their old devices as easily as possible', the firm said