Housing
designed for all are essential, as long as they are individualised
to meet needs of each occupant (a great tautology).
Traditionally,
'Smart Homes' have been designed for the rich and famous.
Devices such as door openers, activated by telephone, have
only recently been considered for use within the care sector.
High tech Assistive Technology (the use of products or equipment,
used to help maintain or improve functional capabilities)
has begun to be accepted by the care sector and as a result
environmental control systems are being used widely and
other devices are used to support people in the community.
'Smart
Home' technology uses the same basic devices that are used
in Assistive Technology to build an environment in which
many features in the home are automated and devices can
communicate with each other. The can be of considerable
importance if they are designed and configured correctly
and appropriately, taking the needs of the person into consideration
at all points of the design process.
'Smart
Homes' are often the ideal solution for individuals with
differing levels of disabilities. This is because a Smart
Home can:
1)
Provide an environment that is constantly monitored to
ensure the individual is safe (activity monitoring and
remote sensing).
2)
Automate specific tasks that an individual is unable to
perform (turning lights on or off).
3)
Provide a safe and secure environment (alerting the user
of potentially dangerous activities).
4)
Alert helpers or carers should the occupant be in difficulties
(through linking to the local community alarm scheme).
5)
Enable and empower the user (by assisting them in daily
tasks).
6)
Facilitate in the rehabilitation of individuals (by giving
prompts that could be auditory and/or visual)
There
are many other ways in which 'Smart Homes' can be of benefit
to disabled and older people. The DIRC Project activity
7 is investigating the most appropriate technological solutions
for people in their homes.
The
project has designed and had installed a number of homes
and this continues. The main feature of this PA (project
activity) is to consider real situations, real people and
design real working solutions that can be evaluated in real-time,
in the real world by real people. There is little point
in designing hypothetical solutions and installing demonstration
houses as the real problems associated with the use of technology
can only be determined in real situations.
For
more information see these pages:
The Telecare pages
Some
Thoughts on Designing a Smart House
Dependability
and AT
Smart
Homes and Assistive Technology
Smart
Homes Fail the IQ Test
Technology
Projects
Design index
Telecare FAQ
