Intelligent home takes the strain out of relaxation

NEWS A smart home, built at a complex for the elderly near York, England, could have mass production possibilities, according to Richard Best of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The smart home helps a person to activate a number of home operations at the touch of a button. Lights, heating and the TV are controlled by a mobile phone, whilst the cooker, curtains, shower and kettle can all be activated without moving from your seat. The social charity that completed a joint project with the University of Sussex to build a home for the disabled, now sees greater marketing potential in the labour-saving creation. Developers hope the technology will eventually condense into a one-button-does-all concept. According to Julie Cowans, the homes project manager, mass production could lead to a fall in installation costs from £5,000 to £1,500.