Lotus Laboratories' Dhaval Patel on Advancing Smart Home Accessibility in Real Estate

“If an engineer like me didn’t even have smart home technology in their own home, what about everybody else?” – Dhaval Patel, Founder & CEO of Lotus Laboratories

A Personal Pain Point Sparks Innovation

For Dhaval Patel, the inspiration for his innovative smart home device came from a personal experience that highlighted a widespread challenge. After getting into bed at the end of a long day while on crutches due to a congenital condition that left him with twisted knees, Patel confronted what millions with mobility limitations face daily: the lights were still on, but the physically demanding task of getting back up wasn’t just inconvenient— the challenge proved so substantial that he resigned himself to staying in bed with the lights on.

“I just slept with the lights on the entire night and woke up having slept terribly,” Patel recounts. This frustrating experience led to an epiphany for the electrical and aerospace engineer who was, at the time, managing a division at Apple for iPhone, Watch, and AirPods.

The realization was striking: “If someone like me with 37 patents didn’t even have smart home technology in their own home, what about everybody else?”

The Smart Home Accessibility Gap

Patel’s research revealed a significant market gap. “91% of US homes were built before smart homes even existed in 2008,” he notes, “but there’s no easy way to upgrade those homes.”

The barriers to smart home adoption are substantial:

• Rewiring existing wall switches (11 hours of work or $2,000 for contractors)
• Installing smart speakers in every room
• Complex setup processes through smartphone apps
• Ongoing maintenance issues

These challenges disproportionately affect those who would benefit most from the technology – people with limited mobility, including veterans, older adults, and individuals with disabilities who spend “up to an extra three and a half to four hours at home every day.”

The Lotus Ring: Simple by Design

Patel’s solution is the Lotus Ring, a wearable device that controls objects at home by pointing. “There’s no app, no rewiring, no Wi-Fi, and it’s portable,” he explains.

The system works through a simple three-step process:

1. Put on the ring (typically on the pointer finger)
2. Snap magnetic switch covers onto existing wall switches (no rewiring needed)
3. Point at what you want to control and push the button

The technology uses infrared communication (similar to TV remotes) rather than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, eliminating the need for complex network setups, apps, or internet connectivity.

Real Estate Industry Applications

For the real estate industry, the implications are significant across multiple sectors:

Home Builders and Renovators

A surprising market has emerged in new construction and renovation. “We just started doing some testing two weeks ago with the home builders space,” Patel shares, “and we’ve been getting a bunch of traction there, which was a bit unexpected.”

Many home builders, particularly those working with clients in the 45-75 age range, are seeking simple ways to make homes “aging in place friendly.” For them, adding Lotus Ring capability represents a minimal cost addition ($400-500) to renovation projects often totaling $30,000 or more.

Importantly, builders appreciate that they can maintain standard electrical infrastructure that won’t negatively impact resale value, while offering customization options to clients who want accessibility features.

Multifamily and Commercial Properties

Property owners looking to differentiate their offerings are showing interest in the technology. With more people spending time at home post-pandemic, the ability to quickly make spaces more accessible creates value.

For commercial spaces, the technology offers unique benefits: “A looser translation is there is absolutely zero setup,” Patel explains. “If you have a ring and I have a ring, and we both go to the office, your ring will continue to work automatically in the office, and so will mine.”

Accessibility Compliance

From a regulatory perspective, the technology offers a low-cost path toward ADA compliance for commercial properties. “The bigger your entity or physical structure is, the more you need to be concerned about making sure your property is ADA compliant,” Patel notes. Rather than expensive structural modifications, the Lotus system can quickly make spaces more accessible.

Changing Perceptions About Accessibility

Patel challenges two common misconceptions about accessibility technology in real estate:

First, that accessibility features only benefit a small market. “If you optimize a home or optimize any technology for older adults or disability first, it’s still usable by everyone,” he argues. He points to examples like curb cuts, straws, and closed captions – all initially designed for people with disabilities but now universally used.

Second, that small conveniences don’t matter much. For someone with mobility challenges, the ability to control their environment independently “carries a lot of weight.” As Patel explains, “What might seem like a small thing to somebody else, it’s not a small thing to them, because they want that level of autonomy back. Just having to ask for help for every little thing can erode away at your dignity.”

The Future of Accessible Real Estate

As Medicare and Medicaid policies increasingly prioritize keeping people in their homes rather than institutions, technology that facilitates aging in place is gaining importance. For senior living facilities, such technology can help prevent falls – a key metric in their quality ratings and reimbursement levels.

Looking ahead, Patel is focused on expanding relationships with certified home builders and renovators who recognize the value of incorporating accessible technology into their projects. The company recently launched their product – a starter kit containing one ring and three switch covers for $349 – and is primarily targeting builders who have certifications such as CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) in the US or Adaptable in Canada.

For real estate developers, property managers, and investors, the evidence is compelling: accessibility features are evolving beyond regulatory requirements into significant opportunities to enhance property value, differentiate offerings, and serve a growing market of consumers who value independence. These thoughtful design innovations bridge specialized accessibility features with universal benefits, creating spaces that improve quality of life for all users.