Practical, Affordable Smart Home Technologies for People with Mobility Impairments Tony Gentry, PhD OTR/L Department of Occupational Therapy Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
What is a Smart Home? Designed for access, security, comfort & livability Ease of use features Supports functional independence Individualized to your needs and interests Smart home features are becoming increasingly available and affordable
Who Needs a Smart Home? People with: Mobility limitations Attention/memory/other cognitive problems Medical care needs Emerging risk of nursing home placement Motivation to increase independence thru AT
Smart Homes can Improve safety and security Assist with mobility, transfers, access Automate routine appliance functions Allow remote control of home features using a variety of access tools and supports Provide communication tools, including passive occupant monitoring Assist with shopping, bill-paying, social interaction
Technologies: Low-tech accessibility tools Mid-tech appliances (alarm clock, kitchen timer) High-tech Electronic Aids to Daily Living (lighting/appliance control) Safety features (fire, smoke, water, injury alarm) Task Cueing (PDA, pc, pillbox, lighting cues) Community Outreach/Engagement
Assess: The Right Fit: Functional abilities and interests Human support resources Environmental supports in place Safety concerns Medication management ADL/IADL (food, hygiene, money management) Financial resources/insurance Work collaboratively to problem-solve solutions Important: What is best access tool for remote control?
2 Key Questions: What everyday home-based tasks do you need someone to do for you or help you do? Is there a tool or strategy that would allow you to do this yourself? Or that would allow you to do so with less human support?
Heirarchy of AT provision: 1. Modify the task parameters 2. Use commercially available products 3. Combine technologies not typically used together 4. Modify existing commercial devices 5. Use rehabilitation-specific products 6. Fabricate new devices
Mobility Challenges Access to home and its features Managing the home environment Safety and security Outreach beyond home (shopping, social relationships)
Access Doorway access Functional transfers Bathroom Kitchen Lights/Appliances Computer Phone
Easy Living Home Easy Access: a step-free entrance with a threshold of not more than one-half inch into the main living area. Easy Passage: the exterior door that provides the step-free entrance and all interior doorways allow a minimum of 32 clear passage. Easy Use: no less than one bedroom, a kitchen, some entertainment area and at least one full bathroom with maneuvering space of 30 x 48 in front of commode, sink and tub or shower, all on the main floor.
Mobility Hoyer Lift for transfers Ramp Stair Lift Elevator Raise/lower hydraulic tub seat Organization for easier access Accessible shelving
Door Openers
Overhead Lifts
Home-made Remote Controls
Safety Stovetop monitor Tub overflow monitor Automatic coffeepot Motion-activated lighting Window escape systems Med-alert medallion Automated bill-paying Passive monitoring
Medication Management Medsmart: epill.com Verbal prompt Dispenses meds Email or phone call to caregiver if not dispensed on time
Transactions & Housekeeping Automated Bill Paying Automated Grocery Order and Delivery Auto Plant Watering Robot Vacuum Cleaner Rhoomba Vacuum Cleaner - $375
Appliance Controls
What can be controlled remotely? Lights and lamps Media equipment (tv, radio, camera, stereo, etc.) Appliances with on/off switches (fans, motorized doors & window shades) Door locks Thermostat Phone, Computer What else?
Lights & Appliances What do you want to control? What is the best switch for your mobility? What is the best transmitter of your command? What technology will operate the device based on your command?
Tap or proximity switch Head control Sip-n-puff Voice control Eye Gaze Switches
The Origin of Smart Homes x10 System Electronic Aids to Daily Living (EADL)
X-10 Insteon ZigBee Zwave Competing Technologies
Control Module PC, tablet or phone App Remote module
Transmission Options Power Lines: x-10 IR: TV remote RF: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave Dual-Channel: Insteon
Insteon www.smarthomes.com
Apple Homekit Setup Home wifi network iphone or ipad running ios 10 Home App Purchase an appliance or device bearing this label: On Home app Tap
Apple Homekit Setup Using device camera, scan in bar code of device Follow instructions on app to identify: Name of device Which room device is in Set a schedule or scene for automated on/off if you like
Homekit Remote Access To control devices while away from home: Apple TV 3 rd or 4 th Gen with TV OS9 or later To operate automated events and triggers: Apple TV 4 th Gen with TV OS10 Or ipad with ios10 that lives at home
Voice Control via iphone
Samsung SmartThings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oduxpr5ipjy Amazon Echo Samsung SmartThings Hub Insteon light switch PicSeeTalk software on pc
Basic Setup Price Comparison App, 2 lights, outlet module, movement sensor Samsung Smartthings: $210 Apple Homekit: $170 Insteon: $155 X-10: $150
Appliance Module Comparison Samsung Smartthings: $42 ihome Devices Smart Plug for Apple Homekit: $38 Insteon: $40 X-10: $18
Tap or proximity switch Head control Sip-n-puff Voice control Eye Gaze Switches
ios Switch Control https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqymhtdbcz0
Voice Considerations (Apple Siri & Amazon Echo) Clear, concise commands Proximity to microphone Proper labeling of appliance modules Triggering of chained commands
Other Voice Access Solutions Google Home Microsoft Cortana
Monitoring Options: Quiet-Care www.careinnovations.com/products/quietcar e/default.aspx Wireless motion sensors/changes in routine noted e-neighbor (www.healthsense.com) motion sensors/telehealth/medic-alert Grandcare (www.grandcare.com) set-top box on tv acts as communicator and control center for remote sensors
Motion Sensors Phillips Hue - $40 Homekit Door Sensor - $42
Ceiling Fan with Insteon Module ($235) First Alert Smoke & MO Alarm (Homekit Enabled) ($190) Nold Garage Door Opener ($120) ConnectSense Smart Outlet (2 lamps) $59 Honeywell Lyric Thermostat ($199) 2 Insteon Motion and Remote-Controlled Wall Switches ($100) Apple TV ($150) Insteon Hub Pro ($80) iphone or ipad with Home app (ios 10) Total: $1,133
You can Access home through garage Control 4 lights and/or appliances Manage thermostat Manage overhead fan Broadcast smoke/mo alert to loved one Passively monitor activity in home Automate these actions based on triggers or scenes
The Internet of Things Phone sensor Fitness tracker Baby monitor Food consumption tracking refrigerator Sensor-driven plant nutrition/water Smart shopping carts EggMinder Smart Tray - $15
Information Security The always listening automated assistant Seek products that offer end-to-end encryption of transmitted data Is anything shared with a server secure?
Smart Home Features Universal Design for Easy Access Simplify and organize for energy conservation Mobility supporting DME and Adaptive Devices Automated and remote controlled appliances Automated bill paying, groceries, etc. Passive monitoring for safety and security Cheaper and more fully featured every day Your smartphone is your best bet for access
Thank you! Tony Gentry, PhD OTR/L Associate Professor Director, Assistive Technology for Cognition Laboratory Director, Post-Professional Programs Department of Occupational Therapy Virginia Commonwealth University 804-828-3397 logentry@vcu.edu