This book introduces the concept of the wise home. Whilst smart homes
focus on automation technologies, forcing users to deal with complex and
incomprehensible control and programming procedures, the wise home is
different. By going beyond intelligence (or smartness) the wise home
puts technology in the background and supports explicit (enhanced
user-experience) as well as implicit (artificial intelligence)
interaction adequate to the end-user's needs.
The theoretical basis of the wise home is explored and examples for its
application for future living are presented based on empirical studies
and field work carried out by the author. Principles of HCI and the
meaning of the home from differing scientific perspective are discussed
and a research model (based on the concept of user experience (UX)) and
iterations is introduced. This has resulted in field deployment guides
being produced through a systematic development process.
The Future Home is Wise, not Smart will be essential reading to home
system developers, designers and researchers, responsible for smart home
deployment or Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) who will get insights on how
to follow a novel approach in developing and adapting smart home systems
to their users' needs. Students with an interest in software design for
pervasive systems will benefit by receiving information on how to
develop and customise systems for the specific needs of living
environments.