How Smart Mirrors Work: Components, Applications

Smart mirrors are not like normal mirrors; they let you do interactive things like checking the weather, reading messages, or listening to music, all while you look at yourself.

Gone are the days when mirrors reflected our image; the traditional mirror has evolved into a stylish, frameless window to a world of information that complements home decor.

So, how smart mirrors work? They perfectly combine a two-way mirror, a digital display behind the glass, and a small internet-connected computer.

Here is all you need to know about them.

Key Takeaways

A magic mirror mixes a see-through mirror with a screen behind it and a computer that connects to the internet. This creates a fun, interactive way to use a mirror.
Most advanced mirrors come packed with different tools and apps, such as checking the weather, catching up on the latest news, and following exercise routines.
Smart mirrors enhance our daily interactions with technology by integrating with other smart devices and offering a better-connected home.

What Does A Smart Mirror Consist Of?

Interactive Display

An interactive display in a smart mirror is essentially the interactive screen behind the semi-transparent mirror surface. This display allows the smart mirror to show user information, graphics, and other digital content while functioning as a traditional mirror.

The resolution and screen type play critical roles in a smart mirror’s display quality and efficiency. Here’s how they influence the smart mirror’s performance:

Clarity: Higher resolution means more pixels per inch (PPI), translating to sharper, more detailed images. This is important for the readability of text and the crispness of icons and other visual elements for smart mirrors.
User Experience: A high-resolution display enhances the user experience, making interactions more enjoyable and reducing eye strain when viewing content in the mirror.

LCDs are commonly used in smart mirrors because they are cost-effective and offer good picture quality. However, they require a backlight, which can make the mirror bulkier and potentially affect the uniformity of light passing through the mirror.

OLED screens have individual pixels that produce their light, eliminating the need for a backlight. This allows for a thinner display, which can be advantageous in a small bathroom setup. OLEDs also offer higher contrast ratios with true blacks, with no backlight bleed.

The See-Through Reflection Surface

The glass in a smart mirror isn’t regular glass. It’s a two-way mirror, which works like a normal mirror but lets some light from the screen behind the glass shine through. So, it shows your reflection just like any mirror but lets you simultaneously see the information from the electronic display behind it.

The Smart Mirror Brain

The ‘brain’ of a smart mirror is the central processing unit, a microcomputer that receives our commands and ensures everything on the smart mirror’s screen works as it should. A microcomputer is a small, powerful computer, and one popular example is the Raspberry Pi. It’s about the size of a credit card but packs enough punch to handle all the computing tasks a smart mirror needs.

It runs all the programs that control the smart mirror, so when you check the weather, update your calendar, or use voice commands, the microcomputer does it all. It ensures the correct information appears on the mirror and responds to your touch or voice.

How Smart Mirrors Work?

User Interface

The magic happens in the software and user interface of the smart mirror. We can select the displayed information on the two-way mirror and tailor the layout to match our daily routines.

These mirrors often run customized versions of tailored operating systems that allow us to interact with a touch screen, voice, or gesture recognition. Unique smart mirror applications cater to fitness, beauty, and many more, significantly enhancing our interaction with the technology.

Connection to the Internet

The smart mirror connected to the internet lets it get the latest information and show it immediately. This means we can see the current weather, traffic updates, the latest news headlines, and important messages.

Thanks to the internet connection, the smart mirror can grab all this fresh info from different places online and display it on the screen, making our lives easier and keeping us up-to-date with what’s happening in the world, all while we’re just getting ready in the morning or doing our usual routines.

Smart Home Integration

You should be able to integrate a smart mirror with other devices in your home or at least control them. Combine it with other smart devices as part of the routines or home automation. Also, if it’s voice control enabled, you can use it as a command center to control other smart home devices, e.g., use the thermostat to control the temperature or the lights to turn them on or off, and many others, depending on what kind of devices you have.

We’ve brought all the control to one place to make changes around the house quickly.

Different Ways Of Connecting

Most Advanced smart mirrors are versatile devices that integrate various gadgets and systems through different communication methods.

Bluetooth: A smart mirror with Bluetooth capability can pair with various devices. For instance, it can connect to a Bluetooth-enabled bathroom scale. This integration would allow users to check their weight and other body composition metrics directly on the mirror’s smart display as soon as they step off the scale.

WiFi: WiFi connectivity in smart mirrors opens up possibilities, including integrating streaming devices like a Chromecast or Amazon Fire Stick. Connecting a streaming device to the smart mirror allows users to access various streaming services, watch their favorite shows, or listen to music while getting ready.

Smart Home Protocols (Zigbee, Z-Wave, etc.): Smart home protocols enable smart mirrors to communicate with many smart home devices. For example, an intelligent mirror could integrate with a Zigbee-enabled smart lighting system. This would allow users to control the lighting in their home directly from the mirror’s interface, adjusting brightness or changing colors to match their mood or the time of day.

How Can Smart Mirrors Assist You Everyday?

Smart mirrors are a leap forward in daily convenience and interactivity. These innovative devices offer instantaneous updates on:

Current Time and Date: Always stay on track
Weather Forecasts: Dress appropriately for the day’s conditions
Traffic Reports: Choose the best route to your destination
Daily News: Keeping you informed while you start your day
Play Music: Listen to your favorite music while getting ready

Pre-installed applications transform your mirror into a hub for:

Email and Calendar Events: Show appointments and schedules and never miss an important date or meeting.
Fitness Tracking: Monitor your health regime as you prepare for the day
Social Media: Stay in the loop with the latest updates on your favorite platform

Smart Mirror Pricing

The cost of owning a smart mirror can vary considerably depending on your needs. Basic versions typically range from $200 to $500. These are suitable if you’re after a smart device but are willing to make some sacrifices regarding size and smart mirror features.

Yet, the price can climb for those who want premium devices with rich features. Premium large bathroom mirrors with advanced technology often cost $1,000 or more.

Aside from size, features like voice commands, facial recognition, and screen quality also impact the cost. Getting one can be expensive, but unlike normal mirrors, having these extra features might make it worthwhile for many people looking for a modern home upgrade.

If that sounds too expensive, consider making your own smart mirror to save money.

Why Should Someone Consider a Smart Mirror?

Here is why you should consider adding a smart mirror to your home:

Ease of Use: Imagine adjusting settings like ambient lighting, playing music, or accessing your morning news simply with a voice command. This hands-free convenience is a leap from the ordinary and can streamline our morning routines.

Personalized experience: Smart mirrors cater to personal needs with features that remember our preferences, from preferred brightness to the latest traffic updates, ensuring every interaction feels uniquely tailored to us.

Entertainment at a Glance: Who says getting ready has to be bland? Our smart mirror lets us stream our favorite tunes or catch up on podcasts, keeping us entertained and informed as we start our day.

Health & Beauty Benefits: Smart mirrors are like having a personal wellness and beauty consultant in the bathroom. From tips on skin care to step-by-step makeup guides, they can enhance our beauty regimen with actionable insights.

Personal Fitness Health Tracking: For those focused on health and fitness, smart mirrors can connect with fitness trackers and health apps to display workout stats, track progress, and even guide you through exercise routines.

Home automation: By syncing with other smart devices, such as our thermostats or home lighting, it elevates our home automation experience, providing convenience and control like never before.

Future and Evolution of Smart Mirrors

Smart Mirrors With Augmented Reality

By overlaying digital information onto a user’s reflection, these mirrors provide a variety of interactive experiences. Here’s how AR improves the smart mirror experience:

Virtual Try-Ons: AR enables users to try on clothes, accessories, or makeup without physical items, redefining the shopping experience.
Fitness Guidance: Mirrors can display workout routines in real-time, enabling you to exercise from home.
Information Widgets: Weather updates, news headlines, or traffic information can be displayed alongside the user’s reflection.

Health Tracking Metrics

Ability to monitor vital health metrics, allowing personal health management with smart mirrors. A smart mirror from HiMirror is an example of a product going in that direction.

Posture Analysis: Advanced cameras and sensors analyze posture, providing feedback for correction.
Skin Condition Monitoring: Utilizing high-definition cameras and smart mirrors helps track skin health and suggests care routines.
Weight and BMI: Some mirrors can measure weight and body mass index (BMI) using integrated scales.