title: Promoting autonomy in a smart home environment with a smarter interface.
abstract: In the not too distant future, the median population age will tend towards 65; an age at which the need for dependency increases. Most older people want to remain autonomous and self-sufficient for as long as possible. As environments become smarter home automation solutions can be provided to support this aspiration. The technology discussed within this paper focuses on providing a home automation system that can be controlled by most users regardless of mobility restrictions, and hence it may be applicable to older people. It comprises a hybrid Brain-Computer Interface, home automation user interface and actuators. In the first instance, our system is controlled with conventional computer input, which is then replaced with eye tracking and finally a BCI and eye tracking collaboration. The systems have been assessed in terms of information throughput; benefits and limitations are evaluated.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: McCullagh
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galway
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lightbody
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001331:Automation; D062207:Brain-Computer Interfaces; D004596:Electroretinography; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D057233:Radio Frequency Identification Device; D058998:Remote Sensing Technology; D014584:User-Computer Interface