Creating a Smart LaCroix Ordering System for Home Convenience
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Chapter 1: The Love for LaCroix
As an avid fan of LaCroix sparkling water, I often find myself in a precarious situation of running out unexpectedly. Recently, I shared my obsession with journalist Laura Pavin, who humorously remarked on Twitter that LaCroix is "the sole reason I've ever hydrated." To avoid the hassle of waiting 2–3 days for a refill, I discovered a new smart home device from Amazon: the Dash Smart Shelf.
Section 1.1: Understanding the Dash Smart Shelf
The Dash Smart Shelf is a WiFi-enabled smart scale available in three different sizes: small (7x7 inches), medium (12x10 inches), and large (18x13 inches), all priced at $19.99. These shelves are wireless and battery-operated, allowing for flexible placement around your home, even in your fridge, as they can function in temperatures as low as 32°F.
Once you connect your Dash Smart Shelf to your Amazon account via the Alexa app, you can place any Amazon product on it. The shelf weighs the item and keeps track of your remaining stock. If your inventory falls below a threshold set by you or Amazon, a new order is automatically placed, ensuring you never run out of your favorite items.
Subsection 1.1.1: Practical Examples
Amazon offers various examples of how to use the Dash Smart Shelf. For instance, you can monitor the levels of Nespresso pods, dog food, Gatorade, and even baby wipes. The shelf keeps track of your consumption and ensures timely replenishment.
Chapter 2: Setting Up My LaCroix Ordering System
Inspired by the practical applications of the Dash Smart Shelf, I decided to create my own automatic LaCroix ordering system. I purchased a Large Dash Smart Shelf and placed it in my laundry room, then set it up with a pack of LaCroix Mango water available on Amazon.
However, I faced a couple of challenges. The Dash Smart Shelf is optimized for lightweight, non-perishable items. My usual LaCroix orders come from Target or Whole Foods, where a box of 12 cans costs around $4.00. The Amazon version I found was priced at $14, making it less appealing for a simple convenience.
Despite these hurdles, the Dash Smart Shelf worked effectively. When I placed my LaCroix pack on the shelf, it accurately measured the weight and reflected my inventory in the Alexa app. Once I consumed the last can, it automatically placed a new order for me.
Chapter 3: Privacy and Automation Concerns
While the functionality of the Dash Smart Shelf is impressive, it raises significant privacy concerns. Amazon already has extensive data about your shopping habits; do you want them to know your exact inventory of items like baby wipes?
The potential for this technology to overreach is unsettling. Could we see smart devices that monitor even more personal aspects of our lives, like a litter box that orders more cat litter or a chair that tracks your weight?
Chapter 4: The Future of Smart Home Ordering
The Dash Smart Shelf represents Amazon's ambition to integrate deeply into our everyday lives. Imagine a scenario where your garage shelf automatically orders bottled water, and an Amazon delivery person uses your Ring camera and Amazon Key to place it right on your shelf.
At what point do you cease to be an active participant in this cycle? In Amazon's vision, algorithms and logistics take over, leaving you as a mere consumer. If this notion feels unsettling, you might want to reconsider investing in a Dash Smart Shelf.
If you frequently run out of essential items like dog food or toilet paper, the Dash Smart Shelf could be beneficial. However, if it starts encroaching on more personal areas of your life, such as managing your chicken feed, you may want to rethink your smart home strategy.
I purchased the Dash Smart Shelf independently and am not affiliated with any links in this content.
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