Advancement of Information-oriented Life with Special Reference to Home Automation Systems

Abstract

We studied the influences on life-style through the dissemination of electrical home appliances with special reference to Home Automation systems (HA) . We conducted the following surveys. The first was a questionnaire survey given to 462 women to find their attitudes toward acceptabiliy of high-tech electrical home appliances, and purchasable external services relating to housework and information technology. First, subjects were classified into three groups; 1)those favoring high-tech goods because of their novel and up-to-date functions. 2)those rationally appreciating thieir usefulness and 3) appreciating traditional technology more than hightechnology. Second, subjects were classified by age. Those younger age were more favorable toward purchase of external services and high-tech information services. The second survey was to study attitudes of residents in newly built condominium with HA in Yokohama. Availability of HA was not a main reason at their moving, but 77% of the subjects two years later were satisfied with HA, while hoping to improve user friendliness.There appears to be a potential need for HA in the 1990's if its user friendliness capabilities can be improved.