Device 2: Smart Appliances

Device 2: Smart Appliances

Purpose (Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction): The purpose of these smart appliances is to make life easier for the people who own them. An example of a smart appliance would be a fridge that continually adjusts the temperature of the products currently inside of it. This device falls under both efficiency and customer satisfaction, as these devices make the lives of their owners easier.

Applications (Productivity and Efficiency): More examples of smart appliances include washing machines/dryers that automatically start when there are clothes inside of them, ovens/microwaves that automatically cook the food inside of them, and lastly, Amazon Alexa and other similar devices being used to control various parts of your house, such as the temperature, the security system and the lights. This device falls under productivity and efficiency, as they free up time for their owners to do something else with their time, that they would otherwise be doing their chores with.

Principles: It goes without saying that smart appliances would be immensely helpful for people, as they would be more convenient than people having to do these tasks themselves.

Characteristics: In terms of general characteristics, there are a few risks, as some of these smart appliances have been accused of collecting personal data of their owners, which is then sent back to the developers. This could be considered a violation of privacy and could give some people serious second thoughts before deciding to buy any of these products.

In terms of technical characteristics, most smart appliances tend to be stationary, as there isn’t any need for them to move anywhere. Smart appliances tend to be either location specific triggers such as smart lighting and temperature controls, or time controlled, such as washing machines or cookers.