Smart home technologies promise energy efficiency and convenience but how are they adopted, accepted, and integrated into our daily lives? In December, Emilie Vrain presented her research to the Energy and Behaviour research group at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany sharing insights from the iDODDLE Living Lab. Using real-world data from households trialling automation technologies, the talk explored how experience of such digital tools influence energy consumption and management, daily routines, and sustainability outcomes.
Results show automation acceptance depends on expectations vs. experience, trust in technology, and compatibility. Acceptance can drive energy flexibility barriers remain. Research findings help us understand the why and how digitalised homes can align with climate goals while balancing user needs.
Access the presentation slides here.
Photo by Dan LeFebvre on Unsplash