25-08-2017, 09:32 PM
Smart home technology: Have older people paved the way
[attachment=26760]
The terms smart homes, intelligent homes,
and home networking have been used for
more than a decade to introduce the concept
of networking devices and equipment in the
house. According to the Smart Homes
Foundation the best definition of smart
home technology is: ‘the integration of technology
and services through home networking
for a better quality of living.’ Areas of
application are: home automation and energy
control, information and communication,
working and productivity, and entertainment.
These areas particularly refer to the
technical network islands which regularly
exist apart from each other.
DRIVERS FOR BREAKTHROUGH OF NETWORKED HOUSES
Western society is changing rapidly. There
are social and economic changes, which
have an impact on our entire society. All
countries have to face the ageing phenomenon.
At the same time we see in many countries
dips in birth and fertility rates. At the
present time, there are shortages of skilled
younger people in many economic sectors.
Furthermore we see that many young adults
postpone or even abandon starting a family,
because they are too busy in work or cannot
afford to own a house in the expensive city
areas.
HOME AUTOMATION FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Only recently, some dozens of projects with
smart technology in the houses of older people
have been realised or started. The Smart
Homes Foundation in the Netherlands has
been initiator and consultant for many of
these projects in the Netherlands. In 1997, in
the Province of North-Brabant in the
Netherlands, it was felt that demonstration
projects were needed for those people who
could have a clear benefit: older people who
like to be independent and out of care as
long as possible.
Safety & security
Top priority for many older people is the feeling
of living safe and secure in their own
house. Therefore, one likes to know who is
at the central access door of the flat and at
the front door of one’s own apartment,
before one opens the door. In many projects
this access control has been facilitated via
remote control by phone, on TV and electronic
locks on central access door and own
apartment door.
[attachment=26760]
The terms smart homes, intelligent homes,
and home networking have been used for
more than a decade to introduce the concept
of networking devices and equipment in the
house. According to the Smart Homes
Foundation the best definition of smart
home technology is: ‘the integration of technology
and services through home networking
for a better quality of living.’ Areas of
application are: home automation and energy
control, information and communication,
working and productivity, and entertainment.
These areas particularly refer to the
technical network islands which regularly
exist apart from each other.
DRIVERS FOR BREAKTHROUGH OF NETWORKED HOUSES
Western society is changing rapidly. There
are social and economic changes, which
have an impact on our entire society. All
countries have to face the ageing phenomenon.
At the same time we see in many countries
dips in birth and fertility rates. At the
present time, there are shortages of skilled
younger people in many economic sectors.
Furthermore we see that many young adults
postpone or even abandon starting a family,
because they are too busy in work or cannot
afford to own a house in the expensive city
areas.
HOME AUTOMATION FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Only recently, some dozens of projects with
smart technology in the houses of older people
have been realised or started. The Smart
Homes Foundation in the Netherlands has
been initiator and consultant for many of
these projects in the Netherlands. In 1997, in
the Province of North-Brabant in the
Netherlands, it was felt that demonstration
projects were needed for those people who
could have a clear benefit: older people who
like to be independent and out of care as
long as possible.
Safety & security
Top priority for many older people is the feeling
of living safe and secure in their own
house. Therefore, one likes to know who is
at the central access door of the flat and at
the front door of one’s own apartment,
before one opens the door. In many projects
this access control has been facilitated via
remote control by phone, on TV and electronic
locks on central access door and own
apartment door.