A former caretaker’s residence in Sunderland has been transformed into a showcase smart home, highlighting how technology can aid individuals with disabilities.
Located on Leechmere Industrial Estate in Sunderland, the house displays assistive technologies designed to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Sunderland City Council, in collaboration with Sunderland Care and Support, developed the demonstration home, which features technologies such as a self-refilling dog bowl and an AI-powered vacuum cleaner.
Sunderland Councillor Kelly Chequer emphasised the significance of the project in ensuring inclusivity. “nobody is left behind,” said Chequer.
The smart home is equipped with commercially available technology, including devices controlled by Alexa, enabling functionalities like voice-activated curtains and a stairlift.
Smart technology, like the painfully ambitious 1950s ‘World of Tomorrow’ predictions, aim to utilise the latest technology to either minimise or eliminate the need for a human to do household tasks. As IoT has advanced, and the public have become more and more acquainted with the idea through things like Alexa, pushes are now being made in earnest to usher it in.
Occupational therapists and technologists will use the space for experimenting with new technologies, training staff on assistive devices, and demonstrating their practical applications in a non-clinical, realistic home setting.
Linsey Proud, Manager of the Occupational Therapy Team, commented on the evolving nature of technology and the transformation of the house into a live demonstration site: “The technology is ever-developing and it’s been amazing watching the house go from a shell to a place where we can demonstrate what is available for our customers in a real home environment that doesn’t feel clinical.”
Currently, a number of homes have elements of smart tech implemented within them but in a piecemeal fashion. This move represents a conscious element to make many parts of the house smart enabled.
Sunderland is currently a leading city in the UK in its efforts to be smart. Having already implemented things like free Wi-Fi in all the city centre, IoT-enabled rubbish bins, air quality monitors and seamless 5G, this showcase smart home is the latest IoT inspired effort to use technology to improve services.
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