InterHome learns from inhabitants, adapts to save energy

We've seen all sorts of devices that learn over time, though most of them fall into the humanoid category. Now, a team of gurus over in the UK has developed an entire home that can learn from those dwelling in it and react in order to curb energy waste and even prevent unauthorized entry. InterHome, a model designed by researchers at the University of Hertfordshire, is scheduled to be unveiled at the Microsoft Imagine Cup finals, and it should make other home automation systems look rather antediluvian in comparison. By sensing how the owner(s) like their climate and such, it can reportedly save up to £300 a year in energy costs alone. Furthermore, it can "take decisive action and text if it is being burgled or the door has been left unlocked," and the whole system can be monitored remotely and controlled via the web. Too bad we're terrified that it could one day turn on the owner and refuse to allow entry to anyone other than leaders of The Resistance, but other than that, it sounds pretty nifty.

[Ian @ Jul 6th 2009 8:12AM]

"antediluvian" .... quickly grabs the dictionary.

[DanielT @ Jul 6th 2009 8:27AM]

finally, a dollhouse for macho men

[Follow the money @ Jul 6th 2009 8:31AM]

nooooooo, another technology that might be a part of the robot revolution!!! We'll be locked in our homes and the temperature will be lowered to -30 degrees. Stop these technology advances while we still can!

[Right @ Jul 6th 2009 8:41AM]

Ah the sweet sweet cries of Neo-Luddism.

Although I agree, this is far beyond what 'normal' automation should be.

[Nacho PATA @ Jul 6th 2009 1:51PM]

I can take actions against the house being -30 F (or -30 C), it is like that in the winter here, before wind chill. But I can not effectively counter act the house being +130 F.

Let's hope the houses are not that smart when they decides to overtake us.

[GeekGirl @ Jul 6th 2009 9:11AM]

Why green lights?

[OneLove @ Jul 6th 2009 9:17AM]

green is the new red.

[jack1701 @ Jul 6th 2009 9:35AM]

uranium

[OneLove @ Jul 6th 2009 9:40AM]

how much and will it give me cancer?

[tmarks11 @ Jul 6th 2009 10:38AM]

I think I saw this on a scooby doo movie.

[tmarks11 @ Jul 6th 2009 10:40AM]

And yes, the house did try to kill Shaggy and Scooby.

[Daniel van Flymen @ Jul 6th 2009 12:22PM]

In the living room the voice-clock sang, Tick-tock, seven o'clock, time to get up, time to get up, seven o'clock!
As if it were afraid that nobody would. The morning house lay empty. The clock ticked on, repeating and repeating its sounds into the emptiness. Seven-nine, breakfast time, seven-nine. In the kitchen the breakfast stove gave a hissing sigh and ejected from its warm interior eight pieces of perfectly browned toast, eight eggs sunny side up, sixteen slices of bacon, two coffees and two cool glasses of milk. "Today is August 4, 2026," said a second voice from the kitchen ceiling, "in the city of Allendale, California." It repeated the date three times for memory's sake. "Today is Mr. Featherstone's birthday. Today is the anniversary of Tilita's marriage. Insurance is payable, as are the water, gas, and light bills."

Somewhere in the walls, relays clicked, memory tapes glided under electric eyes.

[Link2877 @ Jul 6th 2009 7:41PM]

You know I believe I've read this short story before but I can't for the life of me remember the name of it. This is the story about the holographic room that the families children get addicted to and never want to leave right.

[vixis @ Jul 14th 2009 4:43AM]

thats a Ray Bradbury story, isnt it? Very sad...everyone gets nuked (on Mars) except the dog....

[SiXiam @ Jul 6th 2009 12:30PM]

Looks like the old Ghostbusters playset...

[Vishnu Vadlamudi @ Jul 7th 2009 5:15AM]

The more these home automation systems get online, the more we get prone to hacker attacks. Someone could hack the system and use the security cameras to invade your privacy or unlock your doors and just walk right in. I love the whole idea of remote control via the net but some strong security measures must be put up.