Introduction: Smart Homes and Their Users

Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Human–Computer Interaction Series book series (HCIS)

Abstract

This chapter introduces the book, its rationale and objectives, and the new data sources on which much of the analysis is based. Smart home technologies (SHTs) are now commercially available amid the promise of a smart home future. But there is a dearth of informed research on the users and use of SHTs in real domestic settings. This book is one of the first attempts to explore systematically how and why people use SHTs, and what impact this has on different aspects of everyday domestic life. A field trial of 20 households using commercially-available SHTs provides new data on in situ usage. This household-level data is contextualised by national-level market studies using both surveys and content analysis of industry marketing material. These new datasets are used throughout the empirical and analytical chapters of the book.

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Copyright information

© The Author(s) 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Science, Society and Sustainability Research Group (3S), School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
  2. 2.Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK

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