Capturing user requirements for an integrated home environment

Technology is being developed at a rapid rate such that a large proportion of the population are finding it impossible to utilize the full functionality of products. In an integrated home environment, it is vital that technology products are not only desirable but also accessible to the whole population in terms of functionality and usability. This work-in-progress paper presents the findings from the first phase of a project investigating smart user interfaces (SUIs) in the context of an integrated home environment. To gather the requirements for universal access, eight workshops were conducted focussing on the needs, attitudes and expectations of people towards smart homes. This will contribute to the development of user led design criteria for the development of a prototype universal SUI.