Kitchen and Laundry | Supporting Occupatio

Adjustable Counters/Pantry

Adjustable counters are pieces of furniture with built-in electronic motors that can change the height or position.

adjustable automated kitchen counter.jpg

The system can connect to a motorised components attached to counters/pantries that may be adjusted via:

Voice command: The system may be integrated with a hub (I.e. Siri, Google, Alexa)
Remote controlled via interface,
Wall-mounted switches,
a part of a larger system command word i.e. “Cooking time” where multiple automated components can change the environment (such as lighting and temperature).
- Systems may be linked with existing assistive technology such as eye gaze, joystick control and/or sip and puff depending on the users’ needs (check with an integrator about the viability if this is appropriate for the service user.

Independence: accessible environments utilising home automation reduces the reliance of carer support and increases autonomy for the service user (Hutchinson et al., 2024).

Accessibility: Automated shelving promotes an accessible environment that positively support the service user (Varriale et al., 2020).

Fatigue management: Adjustable counters can support energy conservation due to minimising physical exertion and increase fatigue management (Moroz et al., 2017).

Hutchinson, C., Cleland, J., Williams, P. A. H., Manuel, K., & Laver, K. (2024). Calculating the social impact of home automation for people with disability: A social return on investment study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 71(6), 956-966. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12977
Moroz, A., Flanagan, S. R., & Zaretsky, H. H. (Eds.). (2017). (Fifth edition.). Springer Publishing Company, LLC.
Varriale, L., Briganti, P., Mele, S. (2020). Disability and Home Automation: Insights and Challenges Within Organizational Settings. In: Lazazzara, A., Ricciardi, F., Za, S. (eds) Exploring Digital Ecosystems. Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation, vol 33. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23665-6_5

Dishwasher

In a traditional context dishwashers are stand-alone systems that require manual buttons to operate the machines. Home automation can automate this process to so the appliance can be operated and monitored remotely.

The appliance can be connected via a wireless network to home automation systems and can be started, stopped or scheduled using:

Voice command: The system may be integrated with a hub (I.e. Siri, Google, Alexa)
Remote controlled via interface,
Programable via time setting on command (semi-autonomous),
a part of a larger system command word i.e. “House cleaning”,
A notification can be sent to the user when cycle is finished.
- Systems may be linked with existing assistive technology such as eye gaze, joystick control and/or sip and puff depending on the users’ needs (check with an integrator about the viability if this is appropriate for the service user.

Independence: accessible environments utilising home automation reduces the reliance of carer support and increases autonomy for the service user (Hutchinson et al., 2024).

Fatigue management: Smart fridges allow the user to see what they want to eat before going to the fridge. The service user can also create a shopping list without having to be near the fridge that they can provide their carer (Domingo, 2012). Smart fridges can support energy conservation due to minimising physical exertion and increase fatigue management (Moroz et al., 2017).

Accessibility: Automated appliances promote an accessible environment that positively support the service user (Varriale et al., 2020).

Domingo, M. C. (2012). An overview of the Internet of Things for people with disabilities. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 35(2), 584–596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnca.2011.10.015
Hutchinson, C., Cleland, J., Williams, P. A. H., Manuel, K., & Laver, K. (2024). Calculating the social impact of home automation for people with disability: A social return on investment study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 71(6), 956-966. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12977
Moroz, A., Flanagan, S. R., & Zaretsky, H. H. (Eds.). (2017). (Fifth edition.). Springer Publishing Company, LLC
Varriale, L., Briganti, P., & Mele, S. (2020). Disability and home automation: Insights and challenges within organizational settings. In A. Lazazzara, F. Ricciardi, & S. Za (Eds.), Exploring Digital Ecosystems (Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation, Vol. 33, pp. 47–66). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23665-6_5

Fridge

A smart fridge can be linked in with a home automation system that can include having a touchscreen or internal cameras.

The appliance can be connected via a wireless network to home automation systems and can help the service user locate and understand what is inside their fridge. The fridge may be controlled by:

Voice command: The system may be integrated with a hub (I.e. Siri, Google, Alexa)
Remote controlled via interface
- Systems may be linked with existing assistive technology such as eye gaze, joystick control and/or sip and puff depending on the users’ needs (check with an integrator about the viability if this is appropriate for the service user.

Independence: accessible environments utilising home automation reduces the reliance of carer support and increases autonomy for the service user (Hutchinson et al., 2024).

Fatigue management: Smart fridges allow the user to see what they want to eat before going to the fridge. The service user can also create a shopping list without having to be near the fridge that they can provide their carer (Domingo, 2012). Smart fridges can support energy conservation due to minimising physical exertion and increase fatigue management (Moroz et al., 2017).

Accessibility: Automated appliances promote an accessible environment that positively support the service user (Varriale et al., 2020).

Domingo, M. C. (2012). An overview of the Internet of Things for people with disabilities. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 35(2), 584–596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnca.2011.10.015
Hutchinson, C., Cleland, J., Williams, P. A. H., Manuel, K., & Laver, K. (2024). Calculating the social impact of home automation for people with disability: A social return on investment study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 71(6), 956-966. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12977
Moroz, A., Flanagan, S. R., & Zaretsky, H. H. (Eds.). (2017). (Fifth edition.). Springer Publishing Company, LLC.
Varriale, L., Briganti, P., & Mele, S. (2020). Disability and home automation: Insights and challenges within organizational settings. In A. Lazazzara, F. Ricciardi, & S. Za (Eds.), Exploring Digital Ecosystems (Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation, Vol. 33, pp. 47–66). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23665-6_5

Washer/Dryer

In a traditional context washers and dryers are stand-alone systems that require manual buttons to operate the machines. Home automation can automate this process to so the appliance can be operated and monitored remotely.

Image by Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd.

‘Smart’ washer/dryers that can be connected via a wireless network to home automation systems. The drum can auto-detect laundry load and pre-select correct cycle. The dryer component can assist in reducing carer time that can be better utilised with the patient/client. The appliance may be controlled by:

Voice command: The system may be integrated with a hub (I.e. Siri, Google, Alexa)
Remote controlled via interface,
Programable via time setting on command (semi-autonomous),
a part of a larger system command word i.e. “House cleaning”,
A notification can be sent to the user when cycle is finished.
- Systems may be linked with existing assistive technology such as eye gaze, joystick control and/or sip and puff depending on the users’ needs (check with an integrator about the viability if this is appropriate for the service user.

Fatigue management: Having automated appliances can help with energy conservation for service users, allowing room to expend their energy for other tasks (Moroz et al., 2017).
- Notification can be sent to user interface to indicate when washing is complete, reduces user need to go to laundry room.

Independence: The use of this automated appliance can help with increasing self-sufficiency. It enables the service user to reduce the time needed for support with domestic tasks increasing their time to help the service user with more important care (Hutchinson et al., 2024).

Accessibility: Automated appliances promote an accessible environment that positively support the service user (Varriale et al., 2020).

Household energy efficiency: Through smart scheduling, and real-time energy management automated appliances can improve household energy efficiency (Fakhar et al., 2022).

Fakhar, M. Z., Yalcin, E., & Bilge, A. (2022). A survey of smart home energy conservation techniques. Expert Systems with Applications, 213, 118–974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2022.118974
Hutchinson, C., Cleland, J., Williams, P. A. H., Manuel, K., & Laver, K. (2024). Calculating the social impact of home automation for people with disability: A social return on investment study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 71(6), 956-966. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12977
Moroz, A., Flanagan, S. R., & Zaretsky, H. H. (Eds.). (2017). (Fifth edition.). Springer Publishing Company, LLC.
Varriale, L., Briganti, P., & Mele, S. (2020). Disability and home automation: Insights and challenges within organizational settings. In A. Lazazzara, F. Ricciardi, & S. Za (Eds.), Exploring Digital Ecosystems (Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation, Vol. 33, pp. 47–66). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23665-6_5