Auton Under the Bed TV Lift First Look

The Auton Dream Machine is a high-end under-bed TV lift that is designed primarily as a modern space-saving device. It hides, slides, raises and swivels a bedroom television to any desired viewing position within "seconds", with just a push of a button. When we say "high-end" we mean it. The smallest model retails for around $14,000 and the most expensive model is $23,000. This is not the type of product Auton expects users to shop for at their local Best Buy or hhgreg. In fact, we'd classify this as one of those "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" types of products... that is, until someone decides to make one and sell it for less money.

We've seen several innovative ideas for hiding AV equipment, from in-furniture solutions to products which drop complete displays down from the ceiling (not just screens). Typically, designers recommend these products in response to a desire to save space, and keep them from detracting from room design or ambiance. For whatever the reason, we've seen TVs emerge from behind paintings, rise from an armoire or descend from the ceiling.  

Responding to commands from a simple remote, Auton's Dream Machine causes a television to rise with a quiet purr from beneath the bed, transporting it to a preset ideal viewing position at the foot of the bed. Auton claims the entire process happens quickly, in a matter of just several seconds. From the way their demonstration video jumped around, we'd suspect the timing could be measured as nearing a minute by our rough estimate - still not shabby, and I certainly don't want my expensive TV getting whiplash. 

The real advantage to this system, however, is its ease of install. While it's true that you'll ned to run cabling for your TV, the mount simply rolls under the bed and plugs in. It can work on carpet, tile, or wood flooring and you don't need to fasten it down or secure it due to the inherent weight of the system. Of course, if this is going on one of those expensive yachts Auton recommends, then we'd suggest some kind of restraint system to keep it in place.

Interestingly enough, a couple years ago we saw an under-bed TV lift demonstrated at CEDIA, but hadn't really seen it since. Auton seems to have come out with their own flavor and the company seems very excited about it. Their position is that bedrooms need to be as harmonious and uncluttered as possible, especially where window views and a sense of spaciousness really matter. Think beach house or somewhere you have lots of glass and very little wall space for a television, even a new razor thin model. Sometimes you want to watch TV, but you don't want it in your room. Well, if you have the cash, now you can have your cake and eat it too.

"The entire world of TV has gotten thinner. That's because people value their space. They don't want their space cluttered or consumed by objects.  Consumers are always looking for more space in their homes as well as in the bedroom. They want more floor space, more counter space, more wall space, and unobstructed window views.

"This is definitely the next generation of television convenience. You just slide it under the bed on its polyurethane wheels. You don't need to do anything else. You just plug it into an outlet, and everything else is automatic."

- Virgil Walker, CEO and Founder of Auton Motorized Systems

Auton's new Dream Machine is, for lack of a better word, a steel chassis that fits underneath the bed frame. It requires absolutely no assembly or modification to the unit, and no construction or attachment of any kind. It only needs 9" of clearance under the bed. The Dream Machine operates from a wireless remote, allowing the user to slide the television from under the bed and raise it to the ideal viewing position effortlessly and quietly within seconds.  From that position, the TV can swivel 360 degrees (180 degrees in each direction) allowing it to be viewed from anywhere in the room. Another simple click returns it to its original hidden position under the bed.

Slick. Quiet. Hoity toity.

Auton is obviously targeting the Dream Machine for high-end homeowners, luxury hotels and suites, as well as for yachts and other locations where making a grand impression is just as important as saving space. If you think it's expensive, you're probabaly not in the target demographic. Architects and interior designers will find it an ideal solution for situations where they want to accentuate an unobstructed majestic view. (They'll also undoubtedly love the embedded markup - Editor)

The Dream Machine can be seen in action at http://www.auton.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.