ITC510_online_learning_record: TOPIC 7 DEVICES FOR DISPLAY AND INTERACTION

EXERCISE 7.2: NEW DEVICES, AGED CARE AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

In the futuristic cartoon series "The Jetsons," a robotic maid named Rosie whizzed around the Jetsons' home doing household chores--cleaning, cooking dinner and washing dishes. At MIT researchers are working on a robotic helper which could help the elderly or wheelchair bound person with simple tasks, such as putting away dishes.

For more than 15 years, Microsoft has been a leader in developing accessible technology for people with disabilities. Popular Microsoft products, such as the Windows operating systems and Office applications, include many built-in accessibility features, from a screen magnifier and voice recognition to filter keys that help people with shaky hands or stiff fingers avoid typing extra keystrokes unintentionally. These are available from the start button on each computer.

Intel Health Guide, has a device that let doctors monitor a patients health remotely. Each day the patient steps on a scale and strap on a blood-pressure

cuff that are attached to the Health Guide. The device collects the patients vitals and sends them to their doctor's office.

In an article on Intelligent housing it was noted that some nursing homes are engaging a programmable interface which monitors the use of electricity, lights, water or any number of digital devices in the residential units and issues alerts to staff if there is irregular use.This intelligent monitoring solution which can also be fitted to an individuals home, enabling them to reside in their own homes for much longer. The system can also be programmed to turn on the bathroom light when you get out of bed at night, making it easy to see where they're going.

When it comes to smart homes image.... pressing a "welcome home" button o

n a remote control as you pull into your driveway and having your pathway, front porch and hallway lights turn on. Your air-conditioner begins to warm or cool your living room, and your favourite music starts playing throughout your house. That's a smart home! From your television you can also check to see if the baby is sleeping - then change back to the video channel to watch the television or movie. That's a smart home!