Lynne Hamill

Controlling smart devices in the home

Domestic appliances have replaced much human labor in the home. But how human do we want these devices to be, and how much autonomy do we want to give them? To throw some light on these questions, first the use and limitations of conversational agents (natural language interfaces) are discussed. Then some aspects of the experience of families living in a smart house are described, and compared with that of employers of servants in 19th-century Britain. On the basis of this research it appears that people do not want household devices to be very human, and do not want to give them much autonomy. Designers are recommended to observe two rules: Smart domestic devices should put people firmly in control and should as far as possible be unseen and unheard.

The introduction of new technology into the household

Economic considerations should be fundamental to the design process. Modern economics provides a useful tool to analyse consumer demand for new technology. This paper sets out some basic economic concepts and then looks at the history of the introduction into the household of phones. TVs and VCRs, CDs and home computers and the Internet. It then takes the first tentative steps towards identifying the explanatory variables that should be included in a model of demand for new domestic technology.

Changing Times: Home Life and Domestic Habit

How people use time tells us much about the prevailing social and economic conditions. This chapter presents empirical evidence, mainly from major surveys. It examines how time was used in Britain at the start of the twenty-first century, especially time spent at home, and how this has changed. It explores how the use of time may be affected by the availability of domestic appliances and, in particular, the impact of the arrival of the internet in the home. In doing this it also touches on the work life balance, telework and the digital divide. Thus this overview of data on time use sets the scene for the later chapters.