Smart homes, home automation and ambient-assisted living are terms used to describe technological systems that enrich our living environment and provide means to support care, facilitate well-being and improve comfort. This handbook provides an overview of the domain from the perspective of health care and technology. In Part 1, we set out to describe the demographic changes in society, including ageing and diseases and impairments which lead to the needs for technological solutions. In Part 2, we describe the technological solutions, ranging from sensor-based networks, components, to communication protocols that are used in the design of smart homes. We also deal will biomedical features which can be measured and services that can be delivered to end-users as well as the use of social robots. In Part 3, we present best practices in the field. These best practices mainly focus on existing projects in Europe, the USA and Asia, in which people receive help through dedicated technological solutions being part of the continuum of the home environment and care.

Using clear and accessible language this book examines the growing field of ‘smart technology’ for the home. The author first introduces the field before exploring the various background issues, including how the home differs from other environments. He then shows how these background issues affect the design and usability of these technologies. A detailed case study looks at the use of handheld and wearable digital technology in sheltered housing. The last section examines what it is like to live in a smart home and why they have so far failed to reach the levels of success originally predicted. Invaluable reading for anybody interested in designing smart technologies for the home.

Do you want to make your home smart, but aren't sure where to begin? Are you worried about hackers taking control of your smart devices? Do you want to make a smart home that keeps your family entertained, comfortable, and safe?When you are done reading the Smart Home Manual you'll know:What a smart home is and what it can do for youHow much smart homes costHow to get started building your smart home from scratchHow to pick the right smart home devicesHow to plan for the future of the smart homeHow to secure your smart homeAfter reading this book, you'll be equipped with all the tools and information you need to plan, design, and implement the smart home you've always wanted.

Starting immediately with "The Stuff They Don't Tell You," the Smart Smart Home Handbook is a book designed to save its readers time and money, while still opening the possibilities of smart tech (from lighting to robot lawnmowers). It does this by explaining a little about the underlying technologies in human terms, before moving on to look them one by one. The book also shares some experiences of families who have installed tech you might be considering, helping you ask - and answer - questions that won't be in the glossy promotional videos (from "How good is Alexa with accents?" to "How will your spouse feel if she needs her phone to turn the lights on?"). On the other hand, it will also introduce you to exciting possibilities you may not have thought of, from lighting that matches the TV screen to create a movie effect, to methods to let the delivery guy in from your desk at the office. Find out how to create programs and sequences. Finally the book will address the digital security concerns which retailers never do, and show you the best ways to ensure that you get all the advantages of smart home tech, with none of the risks of hackers.

Do you long to listen to your favorite CD from anywhere in your house? To set up a wireless network so you can access the Internet in any room? To install an iron-clad security system? To fire up the coffee pot while you’re still asleep and wake up with automated lighting? Smart home technology can help you do just that! Smart Homes For Dummies, Third Edition, shows you how easy it can be to create and live in a cutting-edge, fully connected home—without breaking your bank account. With this user-friendly guide, you’ll discover all the latest trends and gadgets in home networking, automation, and control that will help you make life more enjoyable and comfortable for your entire family. We help you plan for things such as flat-screen TVs, intercom systems, whole-home audio systems, gaming consoles, and satellite systems. We talk about your wiring (and wireless) options and introduce you to the latest technologies, such as VoIP and Bluetooth. You’ll see how to: Build your home network on a budget Turn your home into an entertainment center Access the Internet from any room Get VoIP on your phone network Boost in-home wireless and cell phone signals Connect your computer to your TV Secure your home and property Increase your home’s resale value Avoid common networking pitfalls And much, much more Complete with a resource list for more information and neat toys of the future, Smart Homes For Dummies is your plain-English, twenty-first century guide to a fully wired home!

Until just a few years ago, turning a light on and off with a clap was about as clever as technology got. Today, almost anything can be connected to the internet, and with this connection comes the ability to turn your bedroom lights off from another country, tell your thermostat to create a weather-appropriate lighting scheme, and answer the door without ever leaving your armchair. This book introduces you to Alexa, Siri, and every major technology competing to smarten your home and improve your life. You'll learn how to choose between them, how to optimize their function, and how to avoid the pitfalls that cause new adopters to wish they'd never let a computer into their home.

As climate change continues to wreak havoc on the environment, devastating wildfires, both natural and manmade, are increasing. The figure for average acres burned has increased from almost 2 million acres in 1992 to nearly 7 million in 2012, which set a new record with an average of 165 acres burned per fire. Things are heating up, but global warming isn’t the only problem. Budgets for fire suppression have been slashed severely. The number of air tankers has decreased from 44 in 2002 to just 9 in 2012, which means fast attacks on fledgling fires will grow more difficult in the future. If you live in a wildland-urban interface, the zone between unoccupied and developed land, sooner or later fire will happen. Fortunately you can prepare for the worst, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. This highly detailed and practical reference guide will help you live more safely in the red zone and save you time and money along the way, providing multiple methods of risk mitigation along with the financial level of each action. Effectively prepping your land can even enhance the scenery and increase the value of your home. Learn how wildfires begin and behave, how to evaluate your property, what essential tools you’ll need and what they will cost, how to prepare your land and home—including tips on how to avoid insurance nightmares—when to stay and fight, when it’s time to evacuate, how to clean up after a fire event, and more. Even if you live in the middle of a suburb, the information on how fires start and spread and how to deal with insurance claims will prove enlightening and helpful. No one can guarantee that your house or land will survive if a major conflagration erupts, but you can greatly improve your odds with this book and a little preparation.