Smart Homes That Don’t Shout: Calm Tech & Ambient Design

Ambient Sensing: The Quiet Intelligence of a Smart Home

A calm smart home can use ambient sensing to pick up various signals, including:

• Light – Light sensors will identify how dark or bright an area is. A smart system can use this information to routinely brighten a room after sunset.
• Motion – You can use motion to make commands without having to interact directly with a device. For example, motion sensors can pick up on you waving in a certain way and respond by turning down your TV's volume. Motion detection can also work in even more natural ways (e.g. opening a gate as you walk towards it).
• Temperature – Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can use ambient sensing to detect a room's temperature and then adjust heating or cooling accordingly.
• Presence – Even if you’re not moving, ambient sensing can pick up on you or a family member's presence. This type of sensor can help keep the lights on when you’re in a room but static. You can also use it to save energy by automatically switching off devices in unoccupied spaces.

Ambient sensing technology adapts before the homeowner acts. Sometimes, that's before the homeowner has even realised they want to act. Its proactivity keeps a home comfortable and minimises reminders of technology.

Human-centric Design in Smart Homes

For ambient sensing and calm technology to work well, smart home integrators must design solutions that put people first.

With human-centric design, technology should fit around the person – not the other way around. People-first tech should improve everyone’s comfort and wellbeing. Complex devices can hinder these. That's why unobtrusive, automated calm technology is ideal for human-centric design.

The most effectively programmed systems will respond to human behaviour, such as entering a room. It will then use this information to make tweaks. If somebody is sitting at a work desk for many hours, they may appreciate cooler, brighter lights to aid concentration.

While automation removes most direct interactions with tech, homeowners should still feel in control. Tech should, therefore, be a supportive layer that’s easy to adjust. To keep technology meeting everyone’s needs, there needs to be a simple way to make manual interventions. Interfaces (such as apps and home controls) should be intuitive. Having everything together in one system can help ease the burden of technology. It’s simpler to control one interface than learn how to work multiple devices.

Professional smart home integrators know how to configure systems that embrace human-centric design. Features like concealed sensors, unified controls, and voice-activation help integrators create unobtrusive smart homes. By combining practicalities (like voice commands) with aesthetics (sensors that blend into existing interiors), calm smart homes become high-taste and high-tech.

Examples of Calm Technology in Action

There are many ways you can embrace calm technology in your smart home, including:

• Adaptive lighting – You can program smart lighting to automatically adjust to daylight, task, or even your mood. Adaptive lighting can help reduce eyestrain and support your circadian rhythm by showing the right light levels at the right times.
• Soundscaping – With smart speakers, you can create contextual volume adjustments. Sounds can vary based on detected activity.
• Thermal and airflow automation – Micro-zoning makes it possible to adjust HVAC in a precise area, such as an individual room. By setting up micro-zoning and automating an HVAC system, every space can be constantly comfortable.
• Responsive interiors – Blinds can respond to glare, and lighting can shift at sunrise and sunset.

Effective calm technology will improve day-to-day experiences across a smart home.

Why Calm Technology Matters for Homeowners

Assisted by ambient computing, calm technology can make life at home more pleasant for several reasons.

Less Cognitive Overload

With some smart homes, the number of apps, alerts, and choices can become overwhelming. Thanks to calm tech, you can automate your system to make appropriate adaptations for you. Getting automation right will reduce the mental load of managing a smart home.

A More Peaceful, Wellness-boosting Home

Calmer lighting, sound, and automation help create harmonious daily routines. Unobstrusive tech can take care of things, which can reduce homeowners’ stress levels. A comfortable environment can also improve sleep.

A Better Aesthetic Experience

Hidden sensors, flush-mounted speakers, and integrated lighting help your home stay uncluttered.

Long-Term Usability for All Ages and Abilities

Human-centric design can also make smart homes more inclusive. Intuitive controls tend to suit children, older adults, and people with accessibility needs. 

Responsive systems can also make smart homes more welcoming to guests. Ambient sensors can pick up on a guest’s presence and their needs. There's no need for them to understand the controls.

With calm technology, a smart home should feel like a welcoming sanctuary for everyone.

How to Get Started with Ambient Sensing and Calm Technology

If you want to use ambient computing and calm technology in your home, it’s worth starting your journey by identifying pain points. Are there any rooms that feel too bright, noisy, or reliant on manual controls? By fixing areas that annoy you, you could soon enjoy a calmer home.

While you’ll ideally want your smart technology to work together via one joined-up system, you don’t necessarily need to overhaul everything in one go. A professional integrator can advise you on how to make changes that complement existing systems. You may want to first focus on where automation will have the biggest impact, such as entryways, bedrooms, or living spaces.

To use calm technology, you'll need expert help to get the right sensor placement, interface design, and automations. CEDIA-certified professionals specialise in creative, intuitive environments that can meet calm needs. Visit our directory to find a Smart Home Professional.