This project explores user perceptions and acceptance of smart home technologies.
User perceptions of smart homes
This project is investigating the motivations behind people’s choices and their expectations around the benefits and drawbacks of smart homes technologies. These technologies allow users to control and monitor their connected home devices from smart home apps, smartphones, or other networked devices. By making energy use more flexible and allowing the homeowner more control, these devices offer the potential for reducing household energy consumption. Researchers are undertaking expert interviews, site visits to retailers, a national survey of people’s knowledge and preferences, and focus groups with households from diverging social backgrounds, to understand factors shaping perceptions and attitudes.
What we are asking
- How does one define smart home technologies (SHTs)? What are they?
- What technologies or options for SHTs are available here in the UK?
- Are smart home technologies becoming the default option?
- What are their biggest benefits?
- What are their biggest barriers?
- What business models have the most promise?
- What policies are needed to accelerate their adoption?
Banner photo credit: Jason Briscoe on Unsplash
