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Smart Homes - Technologies and Markets. EDRA 32 Conference 4 July 2001 Tim Venables SPRU – University of Sussex t.j.g.venables@sussex.ac.uk. Outline. From the 60s to today New players and technologies People, markets and services Potential Barriers Conclusions.
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Smart Homes -Technologies and Markets EDRA 32 Conference 4 July 2001 Tim Venables SPRU – University of Sussex t.j.g.venables@sussex.ac.uk
Outline • From the 60s to today • New players and technologies • People, markets and services • Potential Barriers • Conclusions
Smart homes - the big bang view • It has often been held that it is necessary to integrate systems in order to provide the types of functions that people will want to use • Many demonstration projects have followed this model and involved major capital investment to deliver a utopian vision of the ‘home of the future’
Smart homes - market failure? • This has stimulated interest and specific products have been developed • However, it has not provided consumers with a realistic model for that can be immediately implemented in an affordable manner • This picture may now be changing ...
ICT trends and the smart home • The emerging role of major ICT players in promoting smart homes products and systems • Continuing increase in the ownership of personal computers • Voice, data and image (VDI) media are increasingly being digitised • E-commerce is leading to the development of services for the residential market
New ways of thinking • Intercommunication instead of integration • Modular and scalable • Accessible but secure • Bandwidth and intelligence appropriate for application
Social & Economic Trends • Ageing population • Changing work patterns • Diversity of lifestyles • From social structure to network structure
The Future • Niche markets • Focus more on customised solutions • Bundled products and services • Value-added in service delivery • Coordination of systems
Consumer Concerns • Lack of information • Cost of installation and use • Complexity in use • Reliability, susceptibility to breakdown and foreseeable servicing costs • Standards compatibility across applications and when upgrading within specific applications
Organisational Structure • Is there a need for an installation industry? • What role will new players take? • What will be the business models for services delivery?
Conclusions • Various factors could promote the diffusion of smart homes • Lack of coherence in industry • Lack of information for consumers
Further Information • http://www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/imichair/ • http://www.rethinkinghousebuilding.org/ • Gann, D. Barlow, J. & Venables, T. (1999). Digital Futures: Making Homes Smarter. Coventry, Chartered Institute of Housing. • Venables, T. & Taylor, C. (2001). Smart Homes; a Specification Guide. York, The Joseph Rowntree Foundation. • Venables, T. & Taylor, C. (2001). Smart Homes; A Users Guide. York, The Joseph Rowntree Foundation.