The Republic's growing base of software millionaires and high tech elite may soon find something on which to spend their fortunes following the launch here of a new futuristic technology consultancy.
The Graythorpe Interaudio (GI) Consultancy is a London-based company, founded by Offaly man, Mr Brendan Hannigan which specialises in designing homes of the future for the mega-rich.
Imagine a scenario where the hard-pressed millionaire is tied for time and expecting guests to his or her home in the leafy suburbs.
Mr Hannigan depicts a scene where the host is sitting in traffic, or on the airport concourse following touchdown. The front doorbell rings, and he or she can remotely admit the guests using the laptop or mobile phone.
With rapid advances in technology, soon the guests will even be identifiable through the phone's visual display.
Depending on the homeowner's requirements, he or she can then set a sequence of events in motion which will switch on ambient lighting, draw curtains, turn on central heating, and even begin playing the guest's favourite piece of music to make them feel at home while they wait.
GI's audio and visual installations were recently featured in a £5 million "total technology" house in London's exclusive Chelsea area.
Each room has a separate fibre optic lighting system with programmable settings depending on mood and requirements, which can be controlled centrally or remotely.
Television, audio and air conditioning can all be activated by liquid crystal display touch screens in each room. This week GI Consultancy applied this particular piece of technology to Virgin Atlantic's clubhouse passenger complex at Gatwick Airport.
The executive traveller can adjust CD, audio and heating to their personal requirements in one of 21 cubicles, or the entire system can be controlled centrally by airline staff.
GI has also deployed its technology in luxury super yachts, and Formula One's British American Racing (BAR).
The group, which employs about 20 design engineers, specialises in projecting ahead to envisage the types of technology that could be readily applied in homes, and corporate offices within five years.
One of its latest challenges is to develop a virtual reality property, operated on voice activated software. For example, a resident can access the Internet or a television channel by orally instructing a full-size visual effect projected onto one of the interior walls.
Mr Hannigan left a Dutch audio company he was working for in London more than three years ago, when he saw an opening in the market for software-based audio systems. Now he trawls the world, partnering with a range of technology companies to devise futuristic applications.
In the last year, Mr Hannigan says GI has been over and back to Dublin so often to conduct installations in a number of properties, that it is confident there will be a vibrant market for its services here.
"With the current growth in commercial and domestic property and the huge increase in spending, it makes sense to pay the extra for a technology wired property," says Mr Hannigan.
The question begs though, even if GI Consultancy wires up your home to deploy the next big two-way communications system, will the hard-working owner ever be there to enjoy the attendant benefits?
