Smart home design and operation preferences of Americans and Koreans

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to generate both culture-specific and universal design and operational guidelines for smart homes. Questionnaire surveys were performed in the USA and South Korea to collect data on preferences for various aspects of the design and operation of smart homes. The factors that the survey participants considered most important were derived through factor analyses of the survey data and the responses of Americans and Koreans were compared to generate culture-specific guidelines. The five factors derived were: 1) environmental connection and control; 2) smart devices (appliances) and their control; 3) physical safety and security concerns; 4) comfort and relaxation issues; 5) control restriction issues. The two cultures showed different preference structures with statistical significance for all five factors. Prediction capability of the derived factors was also examined through multiple regressions for buying intention, interest, self-vision of living, moving intention, living satisfaction and perceived time and effort savings. 'Environmental connection and control' and 'smart devices (appliances) and their control' seemed to be the most influential factors for Americans and Koreans, respectively. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Analysis of a survey of design and operational preferences for smart homes yielded five factors on which US and South Korean respondents differed. These factors form the basis for culture-specific guidelines, which, along with universal guidelines, should be followed in design of user-centred smart homes.

Smart homes and their users: a systematic analysis and key challenges

“…Different groups of users are likely to require different design solutions, not only just between households but also between cultures. Jeong et al [47], for example, reveal stark differences in the understanding of and demand for control between USA and Korean smart home users. Accordingly, the central user-related challenge for the realisation of smart homes is to align and adapt technologies with the messy and differentiated nature of users' everyday lives at home [41].…”

Gerontechnology acceptance by elderly Hong Kong Chinese: a senior technology acceptance model (STAM)

“…For example, decline of physical and cognitive functions due to ageing and sickness can be partially compensated for by assistive and adaptive medical technologies (Pressler and Ferraro 2010). Wireless sensor and networking techniques can facilitate physiological monitoring and healthcare delivery for older people in the domestic environment (Jeong, Salvendy, and Proctor 2010). With the advance of telehealthcare system, 'houspital' is achievable, i.e.…”

The essence of future smart houses: From embedding ICT to adapting to sustainability principles

“…Many studies reflect that the interactions of users and smart devices must be minimized to the minimum level in order to ensure that the users could easily live in the intelligent environments without any complexity or difficulty. Referring to the studies by Jeong [35], Jeong et al [45] and Venkatesh [46], the categorization of an intelligent environment, which is an incorporation of technology and households, is provided based upon representing the interrelations between sub-environments, family members, activities and technological configurations (see Tables 2 and 3).…”