Not so it seems. Feedback from this year's IEE Faraday Lecture series, sponsored by the ECA, has found that teenagers are cautious about the increased use of electronics and robotics in the home.
The lecture series, which gave an insight into living in smart or intelligent houses, was attended by around 30 000 schoolchildren. While acknowledging the technologies' potential for improving the day-to-day living conditions of the elderly and infirm, the attendees voiced concern about action in the event of malfunction, the possible negative impact on social interaction and the undue complexity of smart homes systems.
Ian Crosby, president of the ECA commented: "It was interesting that teenagers, often the very ones berated for locking themselves in their rooms with just their computers and televisions for company, are concerned about the negative impact that smart living could have on social interaction.
"While embracing the benefits of modern technology, they are mindful of its potential to dehumanize. The feedback from the students is especially valid as they represent the generation who will be expected to fully adopt smart home living. Proponents of smart living would do well to listen to their concerns."
n 'Get smart', p41-42, gives details of one of the latest smart home systems on the market.
Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor
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