Hardware design in smart home applications: Rapid prototyping and embedded systems

Abstract

Research advances in smart home technologies are highly diverse and innovative[1,2,3]. Some of these novel ideas involve in creating new hardware to perform distinct functionality. In this paper, we present two effective methods for transforming these ideas and concepts into actual hardware: rapid prototyping and embedded systems. These two methods used in combination have the benefits of high fidelity, formal documentation (thus can be successively improved), quick turnaround time and low cost. To illustrate these benefits, we demonstrate two prototypes developed in our Smart Home Lab: a physical monitoring and logging device and a smart lamp. Since these two methods are applicable in creating wide varieties of prototypes, our discussion and demonstration should inspire other researchers in smart home areas to use similar methods to create new prototypes and products. To improve overall usability, some design principals and issues are also discussed. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.