Smart Home Design – Independent Lives For Disabled

Smart homes have the potential to empower older people and people with disabilities to lead independent lives in their own homes.

In the light of recent government policies on care in the community and social care the Faculty of Design of The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, has undertaken a radical new project aiming to help achieve these policies and improve the lot of older people with disabilities. The CUSTODIAN project is funded through the European Commission’s Telematics for Improving Employment and Quality of Life sector. Its central objective is to enable access to technology and services for older people and people with disabilities and use smart home technology to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of services that support the independent living of disabled and elderly people, which is also in line with Government policy. The devices in a smart home and their interactions can be designed in such a way that the system as a whole meets the very specific needs of the householder.

The Robert Gordon University is co-ordinating an interdisciplinary consortium on this project and provides expertise in built environment and social sciences. For the development of software, the consortium relies on the University of Reading department of Cybernetics and the University of Porto in Portugal. Technological and market expertise is provided by an industrial partner, the European Installation Bus Association (EIBA). Experience of the use of ‘smart home' systems in the service of people with a range of different disabilities is provided by Edinvar Housing Association, based in Edinburgh and a public sector consortium in Tayside. Edinvar are recognised leaders in the field of ‘smart home’ technology, with National awards for their demonstration house, as well in universal design, having published what amounts to a standard text on the subject. The Tayside Consortium consists of a number of Local Authorities, care providers and Healthcare Trusts.

The project's overall aim is the successful integration of a wide range of assistive technologies, general consumer electronics products and systems around a home network; these networks are called 'Smart Homes'. A smart or intelligent home uses readily available devices many of which are currently used in home security systems, such as

infra-red sensors

pressure pads

magnetic reed switches

The design of the devices and methods of connection can be undertaken using the CUSTODIAN software and specified home plans can be developed to meet the needs of the individual. This means that the home can become responsive to the needs of the occupant and configured to assist them. Systems that are more complex can be designed depending on the level of disability or impairment that the person has.

Dr Martin Edge, Project Manager, said: "This project is very much in line with recent announcements on government policy concerning care in community for older people and people with disabilities. CUSTODIAN is a highly innovative project that is representative of the good work that not only The Robert Gordon University is doing in this field, but also the work of out partners on this project.

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About The Author:

Mark Harris is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.home-n-house-plans.com. The best place to find new home plans, home designs & houseplans is the Internet.