Smart Home Systems - Accessibility and Trust

Abstract

This article explores the residents' attitudes to and acceptance of Smart Homes. The results are based on surveys of two residential units fit with advanced smart home systems. The systems offered functionalities of different kinds as alarms, energy measurement, booking of common facilities, broadband connections and electronic keys. The buildings were first occupied in mid 2001 and early 2002, respectively. The original smart home systems were in operation until end of 2005, when they ultimately were replaced by simpler ones, based on the web, a change not foreseen from the beginning. The extended period of time offered the possibility to study the residents' long term attitudes, expectations and demands on smart homes with their installed and perceived functionality.

The questionnaire surveys focused on the residents experiences and included questions of their actual use of the smart home systems and opinions regarding accessibility and easy of use. Albeit functionality related to current demand is a basic requirement, two other concepts, viz. accessibility and trust, have appeared to be fundamental for a positive attitude and acceptance of various functions that constitute a smart home. Related issues are developed and further discussed in the article.

Citation

Sandström, G. and Keijer, U. (2010), "Smart Home Systems - Accessibility and Trust", Open House International, Vol. 35 No. 3, pp. 6-14. https://doi.org/10.1108/OHI-03-2010-B0002