Networked technology makes homes intelligent
In future homes will be more than just 4 walls with running water and heating: in the “intelligent house” technical helpers make the occupants’ lives easier – for example by controlling the room atmosphere and heating, providing protection against break-ins, fire and leaks or by using telemedicine to monitor their health. The most important aspect of such a comprehensive system that aims to create added value and not confusion, is that it is easy to control and does not demand any special knowledge.
A simple system which bundles various services comes from the Fraunhofer Institute for Software and System Technology ISST Dortmund. The “Smart Living Manager” is no more complicated than a digital television: a television is connected up to this device which then gains access to a central service portal. The user can call up information using the normal remote control. For example, you can find out how much energy the heating is using and how to save costs, but also what is on at the cinema and which pharmacy is on emergency duty.
Working together with various housing societies the ISST has already installed the “Smart Living Manager” in numerous flats. And very successfully too. This technical innovation from Dortmund is now being marketed by their spin-off company, Smart Living GmbH.
www.smartliving-gmbh.de
www.isst.fraunhofer.de
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