UBIQUITOUS AUTOMATION IN THE HOME: PARADISE OR PARANOIA?

Ubiquitous automation (UA) in the home environment is not very prevalent at present, but with the move from individual computers to more ubiquity in both computing and automation there is a danger that the individual will be alienated and forgotten in an automatic world. This paper argues for specific design guidelines to provide users with a configurable UA paradigm that meets the needs of all. To do this requires the design to be related to individual personality differences and other characteristics that are important in everyday life.