Is the connected home actually smart?

Bringing human-centred design into smart homes

The scepticism around home automation may be justified, if user reports are anything to go by. According to the Role of Technology in New Homes report, homeowners are concerned about the cost, quality and usefulness of these devices.

Fellow panellist Jesus Delgado, a mechatronics engineer, echoes this sentiment. “During my career as a smart home integrator, I felt like I was trying to provide a good user experience. There were a lot of smart home products helping us, but I didn’t feel like they improved how we live.”

So, how can we move on from connectivity for the sake of it? How can we build homes that improve our lives? The answer lies with humans – specifically, professionals who can visualise a smart home system with the user in mind.

AI and interoperability as game-changers

Smart home technology might be the shiny objects that have got everybody talking, but it’s how we use them that counts. Take, for example, voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. These may have compatibility with tools like smart light bulbs or security systems like Ring doorbells. But how can we take this one step further?

“Two things are about to happen,” says Green. “Voice control devices are going to start working together, and we’re going to integrate ChatGPT to make them useful.” Rather than simply “flipping switches”, says Green, these AI-powered integrations will be able to use predictive analytics.

In a smart home platform context, this involves taking the user out of the equation entirely. For example, rather than manually toggling a thermostat or even checking energy use from a phone, predictive analytics can intervene. Smart thermostats could log user data and trigger heating to come on based on homeowners’ movements. In turn, we increase energy efficiency.

Addressing the trough of disillusionment

A common phrase in the industry, as noted by host Zerbe, is “trough of disillusionment”. It refers to when products like smart speakers are released to global fanfare, only to go through multiple iterations before they’re deemed valueless.

The phrase was a common theme at the Integrated Systems Europe Conference. While homeowners are seemingly drowning in options from IoT refrigerators to smart doorbells, these devices may complicate their lives. 

It showcases the need for predictive analytics, taking user data and turning it into actions. For example, smart security can combine motion sensors with homeowner movements, and send notifications if something is anomalous.

These IFTTT functions can truly enhance users’ lives, from saving on energy bills to protecting loved ones. As Zerbe puts it, we need to start thinking about empathy.

Privacy and security challenges

While gadgets like Google Nest might enhance our lives, users doubtless have concerns about home security. This goes beyond intruder detection and security cameras – there are now very real concerns about hackers and data privacy.

Further insights from the Role of Technology in New Homes report revealed worries about the connected nature of smart home hubs. If devices like smart door locks are connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, then users fear these devices could be hacked.

Similarly, as data breaches become more common, users are worried about their identity being stolen. Devices powered by voice commands may have links to user accounts with credit card information, for example. “Data privacy needs to be a top priority,” says panellist Christiaan Beukes from Sphere Custom Design. “Where is the data going? With the car to the office? How are we looking after clients’ information?”

Though relatively nascent, blockchain and encryption can offer a solution for protecting data. Green adds: “Blockchain is a distributed ledger that lends itself naturally to micro-authentication of secure digital assets.” As integrators, it is our role to assure clients of this in terms they can understand.