Geppetto's house has an artificial intelligence which can control the doors, windows, and other appliances.

This may require the use of an energy management system to control appliances and equipment and can involve economies of scale.

"I can control my lights, appliances, thermostats, home theater, televisions, stereos, security system, intercoms and even my lawn-sprinkler system," Mr. Shriver said.

He can control electric appliances and make broken appliances work again and he can also absorb lightning.

One early application, the X10 system for controlling lights and appliances, didn't always work well.

NEC also showed how a home computer can be used to control appliances.

Its home automation system controls lights, appliances, and thermostats.

Conceptually, Z-Wave is intended to provide a simple yet reliable method to wirelessly control lights and appliances in your house.

Some programmable remotes can control appliances.

Motorola Inc. will invest $20 million in the Echelon Corporation, a Silicon Valley company that is developing electronic systems to control machines and appliances.