Some aspire to a mock Tudor mansion in a gated, cctv-protected safe haven, others prefer the gritty experience of urban loft living. We profile a new venture by Orange that showcases how we might live in the year 2005.
First it was the ability to call to say that you are stuck on the 6.15 from Waterloo, then came the chance to send a few text messages while you were waiting. Now you can scroll down to see what you're missing on the tv via your wap pages – what next for mobile telephone technology? If Orange is right, we could soon be controlling our lives via a mobile phone keypad. No more calling locksmiths when you've forgotten your house keys: simply dial in a code on your mobile. Want your dinner cooked for your arrival home? Switch on the oven by remote control before you leave the office.

To test its theory of the future, and how emerging technologies will affect the way we live, the company has created Orange at Home in conjunction with the Universities of Surrey and Portsmouth. Based in a detached Hertfordshire house, a total of £2 million has been invested in the refurbishment and fit-out of this building to emulate how the average family may live in 2005.

The latest technologies have been installed and integrated throughout. Some are familiar, like the intelligently-controlled heating system; others verge on the bizarre, such as the world's first self-airing, climate-controlled, adjustable bed. Two criteria were used to choose the most appropriate technology: the need to provide sophisticated control for the individual systems, and the need for them to be simple to use.

Various wireless methods can be used by the occupants to control the technologies, ranging from wap, sms or dial-tone access via mobile telephones, through to a voice recognition system. Wall panels and Internet access can also be used for on/off switching or to adjust the settings.

All of these interface options communicate via a specially developed protocol using Java technology. As the user makes a command, their instructions are received by the system's 'engine'. This sends and receives signals from two control systems installed in the house: one is LonWorks, the second Panja.

The LonWorks system enables central control of items such as the washing machine and dishwasher via the mains wiring in the house. The Panja-controlled devices are more user-sensitive, such as the heating, lighting and audio-visual equipment. The wall panels and touch-screens all connect directly with the Panja control system.

To help the occupants understand and use the technology available, a virtual guide has been created by the Orange Group's Internet company, Ananova. The guide's abilities range from tutoring the children to delivering real-time news. The aim is for the guide to develop into a fully integrated personal information assistant over time.

A high-tech study enables virtual meetings and global communications. And if the electricity should go down, a back-up battery supply automatically locks doors and windows, keeping out intruders, but allowing the occupants to leave if they wish.

Environmental issues haven't been forgotten in this technological gaze into the future – the heating system is said to be one of the most intelligent on the marketplace. Dividing the house into 16 zones for individual control, a built-in weather compensation program adds to the efficiency of the system. Automatic water control reduces the amounts used and a Solar Century pv system contributes to the electricity use.

Phase one of the project, renovating and fitting out the house, was completed in December 2000. Since then it has been used to showcase and demonstrate the many technologies included. The real testing is due to begin this month. The house was designed to cater for the needs of a conceptual family, the Kendalls. The only way to check if the systems work as planned is to have a real family live and work in the house – and that's exactly what Orange intends to do.

The company has been seeking a family willing to take part in the project that as closely as possible resembles the Kendalls. The family is due to move into the house in April and stay for six weeks: their every use of the technology will be monitored and logged by the two University teams to determine what has been used and how, what is missing, and how the individual members reacted to different items. "A large part of the research is seeing how easy it is for the family to use the technology," states Orange, "and that it's what they want." The second phase of Orange at Home will involve fine-tuning the house based on the team's findings. As Orange says: "Many of the items installed are cutting-edge technology, which may take years to come onto the shelves." The feedback may also determine whether we see some of the items on the shelves at all. The beauty of such technology is that a core electrical and controls system can be installed at the outset and extra features added over time.

Contractors who have the specialist installation knowledge in these high-tech areas will undoubtedly steal a march on the competition. Whether or not futuristic, remote-controlled homes are realistic is no longer the question. Surely what we have to ask is when will they become a mass market commodity?

Technology Expo

The rise in demand for home automation systems is amply demonstrated by the fact that a trade association now exists specifically for companies involved in the sector. And business is booming such that its annual exhibition is now opening to the public. The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) was founded in the USA in 1989 and established in the UK in 1996. One of its founding members, SMC, was a main system integrator and installer in the Orange at Home project, integrating a range of bespoke and off-the-shelf products for audio/video, lighting, security and smoke and fire alarm system control. The 2001 CEDIA Expo will provide the first opportunity for non-members to attend the association’s trade fair. It will be held at the Brighton Centre from 22-24 May. In addition to a 3000 m2 area of product displays, a specially prepared two-hour presentation showing how new technologies could transform future homes will be screened at the event. Passes can be bought for £20 per person. For details visit the CEDIA website on www.cedia.org.uk.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor