Smart Homes

Smart homes have taken root as a high-tech enhancement of luxury homes as they are being built (or as retro-fitting for existing homes), but as the technologies themselves become more commoditized, they are coming into reach for greater numbers of homeowners. Usually, these technologies include a computer-based control center from which the homeowner chooses their preferences for a broad range of operations (heating/cooling, alarm systems, automatic lighting options, etc.). While simplifying and centralizing control is desirable, much of this technology is not appropriate for today’s senior population, who do not have a high comfort level with computer technologies in general. However, as the baby-boom generation continues to age, more and more of these technologies will take hold for simplifying everyday operations in the home.

Over the past several years, a number of pilot projects sponsored by academic institutions (e.g., Carnegie Mellon in the US, and Bath Institute of Medical Engineering in the UK) have tested out the impact of integrating multiple technologies into a single living environment.

In the UK, the Gloucester Smart House was developed to showcase the use of a number of technologies focused particularly on the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s or similar dementia. The technologies included:

• sensors in the bed, which would slowly turn up room lighting if the individual were to get out of bed
• sensors that would turn off the stove (gas and electric were both developed) if left turned on for too long, or if non-burning gas was detected
• water faucets that would shut themselves off if left running too long, with audible reminders to check with the resident before doing so
• time orientation reminders visuals/pictures that helped the resident to recognize the current time of day

In a separate project, Carnegie Mellon University’s Quality of Life Technology Center has undertaken a partnership with home builders to design and construct housing for low-income seniors on a pilot basis, integrating a number of wired and wireless technologies into the design, with an objective to make these Smart Cottages highly accessible, safe, efficient, and affordable.