Smart home innovations are a hot topic. Nearly every day I hear about a new product or concept. Home automation presents new opportunities for older consumers and their families in the areas of home comfort, safety and lifestyle.
I’ve spent a few years anticipating the time when we would have smart home innovations supporting the independent living efforts of older people. So, I was very excited when I saw the video in this post.
The University of Florida in Gainseville, FL has been working on smart home innovations for older consumers for years. Their Gator Tech Smart Home is the latest in line of conceptual homes and home automation systems geared towards solutions for older consumers to live independently,while improving their quality of life, safety and health at home while aging in place.
From motion-activated paper towel dispensers to a fast cooling stove that shuts off automatically to temperature sensors in the shower to a microwave that automatically sets cooking times; all of these smart home innovations and more make up this conceptual home of the future.
More on these smart home innovations
The best part about these smart home innovations by the UofF is the physical home. Yes, there are a lot of smart home features for health and safety that are included in this concept home. And, there are a lot of other things that you could use home automation for to increase the enjoyment of this home. But …
This home has an incredible number of Universal Design and Telehealth features built into it!
They have married smart home innovations, Universal Design and tele-health into a single residence. (Yep, I’m geeking out a little bit … sorry.) To me, this level of integration is the start of what I’ve been waiting to see. And, it’s a plus that a respected research lab with a rich history of innovative technology and product research is doing it. It makes me a little giddy.
It means that we’re that much close to seeing these smart home innovations in the homes of average consumers.
I know they are not the only organization researching smart home innovations for aging in place. The truth is, I spent many years in Gainesville, so they are a little special to me. But, I digress.
If you’re interested in learning more about smart home innovations for aging in place, we have quite a bit of content about home automation, including smart hubs, voice control and more. Be sure to check it out.
Motion detecting paper towel dispenses? Really? Some of these new home automation features are getting crazier and crazier by the year. When can I cook breakfast from my Iphone?
My apologies Frank; I somehow missed your comment. I agree, the towel dispenser seems a little crazy. I can understand that there are some people who have trouble with getting towels out of traditional dispensers. However, I think there are probably bigger problems to tackle first when it comes to home automation for aging in place.