A Preference-Driven Smart Home Service for the Elderly’s Biophilic Experience

Abstract

Smart home services (SHS) should support the positive experiences of the elderly in homes with a focus on getting closer to nature. The study identified the services preferred by the elderly through a survey on the biophilic experience-based SHS, and to discuss the configuration of the sensors and devices required to provide the service. We reorganized the biophilic experience-based SHS and related sensors and devices, focusing on our previous study, and developed a survey instrument. A preference survey was conducted on 250 adults aged 20 and older, and the SPSS program was used for a factor analysis and independent two-sample T-test. We derived six factors for biophilic experience-based SHS. Compared to other age groups, the elderly preferred services that were mainly attributed to factors such as ‘Immersion and interaction with nature’ (A), ‘Management of well-being and indoor environmental quality (IEQ)’ (B), and ‘Natural process and systems’ (F). We proposed 15 prioritized services, along with their sensor and device configurations, in consideration of service provision regarding the elderly’s preferences and universality. This study contributes to new developments in elderly-friendly smart home research by converting bio-friendly ideas into the market in the development of medical services and SHS for the elderly.

Biophilic architecture and designs for mental well-being

“…While the effect of architecture and interior design on human health and productivity has been extensively explored in places like hospitals and primary schools, more research is needed on the impact of biopsychosocial and biophilic design in urban higher education institutions [30]. Implementing health-promoting and restorative environmental design solutions may help university students overcome IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1218/1/012020 4 some of the particular issues they experience and positively impact their lives and education.…”

“…Emotional stress, happiness, stimulation, cognitive function, social support, belonging, study spaces, lighting, and ventilation are all identified as important topics in the published multi-disciplinary research about the built environment's impact on university students [12]. The semi-structured literature review identifies, evaluates, and categorizes important research on nature views, nature pictures, natural colors, natural materials, auditory and olfactory components of nature, nature images with water, indoor plants, campus landscapes, study spaces, local materials, and style, daylight access, thermal and environmental comfort [30]. While it is common knowledge that exposure to nature may positively affect health and productivity, further research is required to determine the optimal greenery dosage and its associated well-being advantages for use in design practice.…”

“…Because of reduced physiological function and minimal engagement in social activities, the elderly are more prone to suffer passive emotions such as loneliness, anxiety, and sadness [30,34]. As a result, this research aims to discover ways to integrate biophilic design into the residential area for the elderly from a healing viewpoint while keeping mental health in mind.…”

Biophilic Experience-Based Residential Hybrid Framework

“…As the efficient development of space using digital technology is being promoted, related studies are discussing biophilic experiences using immersive technologies, robotics, and Natural Language Understanding (NLU) [ 5 , 33 , 70 , 71 ]. Particularly, in the field of environmental psychology, VR and AR are being used to effectively control experimental environments and variables, and to quantify human responses to them.…”

“…Immersive technologies such as VR and AR enable the simulation of virtual natural environments and elements, the investigation of biological responses according to conditions [ 9 , 12 , 72 ], and a comparison with the real environment [ 73 , 74 ]; as a result these technologies have resulted in new approaches to biophilic design research. Other studies using NLU, which have contributed to the extended scope of biophilic experiences, also deal with direct and indirect interactions with virtual natural elements through facial expressions, behaviors, and psychological states [ 70 , 75 ], and investigate emotional and cognitive responses of social care robots similar to real companion animals [ 76 , 77 ]. The results of this study proved that an experience with nature mediated by digital technology and virtual elements also had a profound effect on human health and quality of life, suggesting the possibility of hybridization of biophilic experiences.…”