Housing breakthrough as JRF unveils SMART HOME of tomorrow
Imagine a home so technologically advanced that when you wake up in the morning a 'good morning' button on a remote control by your bed can turn on the kettle, open the curtains, turn on the radio and start the shower, setting it to your preferred temperature. Windows can be opened by remote control and doors open as you walk towards them - ultimate convenience for everyone and a godsend for the arthritis sufferer or frail older person, who can now live independently at home for much longer.
"Many automated features are taken for granted in our cars and offices. But now they can be fitted in our homes - and not just for the rich," said Julie Cowans of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. "Originally, we developed these extras for the home in order to help older people and those with disabilities. But now it is clear that everyone will want them."
If you have a SMART HOME you can send it a signal as you join the evening rush hour, via your mobile phone, that closes the curtains, turns on the lights, turns up the central heating and warms up the oven. As you approach home the TV is turned on and the bath is run. Later, if your front door rings, a picture of who is there will come onto your TV screen and you can talk to them from your chair via your TV remote control.
The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust's new SMART HOME harnesses the latest automation and technology to make all this possible and create new standards for the modern home. "The SMART HOME demonstrates that today's technology is sufficiently advanced to enhance the lifestyle of everyone, from the busy executive to the frail older person. Mass production is technically possible. We hope that the construction and manufacturing industries will take the opportunity to make homes better for everyone", said Richard Best, Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
