Susan Tachau, Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation

Kirby Smith, RCPA: September 24, 2019

New Opportunities for Independence: The Promise of Generic,“Smart Home” Technology

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Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF)

➢ Statewide, non-profit organization

➢ Mission to provide education, advocacy and financing for assistive technology

➢ Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) (state and federal)

➢ PA’s Alternative Financing Program (Assistive Technology Act)

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What Is Assistive Technology (AT)?

Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment

or product system, whether acquired commercially,

modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain

or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with

disabilities.

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PATF makes every effort to ensure that materials are accessible, including for

non-English speakers.

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About Us:

The husband and wife team of Kirby Smith and

Suria Nordin started SunKirb Ideas, LLC after Suria

was injured in an accident while on vacation July

2014, leaving her a quadriplegic.

To learn more go to:

https://youtu.be/ekQSQjFMy4M

Why:

During Suria's recovery from surgery, realizing

the extent of her injuries, Kirby and Suria were

faced with having to renovate their home to

accommodate Suria's disability. There was no

single source to help with technology that

could help them in their home. They decided

to provide that service to others.

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Brief History

Electric Power Drives Home Automation

➢Smart Home products fall in the category of home automation. (Therapists

often call these devices environmental controls.)

➢Products first appeared in the early 1900s as electric power in homes

became widespread.

• Included refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and other machines we

now consider standard appliances.

➢ In the late 70s, a standard was developed called X10 which allowed products

to talk to each other.

• Early assistive technology was based on this protocol -- allowing people

to remotely control household devices.

• Devices primarily used wires, and later radio signals, which evolved into a

more robust communication protocol.7

➢By 2012, smart phones and tablets become readily available.

• Devices could be controlled using these phones: apps allowed

developers to embrace wireless technologies (and abandon creating the

physical remote control.)

• X10 is supplanted by Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

➢ In 2015, while Apple’s Siri was most well-known, Amazon Echo’s open

platform attracted hundreds of manufacturers to use it for voice control.

Google Home and others followed.

➢Today, with artificial intelligence (AI), voice control, smart phone interfaces

and cheap (or free) apps, the global smart home market is likely to

experience significant growth of at least 14.5% between 2017 and 2022 and

reach sales of $53.45 billion.

Brief History

Wi-Fi Drives Home Automation

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Our Mission :

• Keep it simple but smart

• Everyone uses it

• Keep it relatively inexpensive

• Use off the shelf regular consumer products

• Simple to support, almost no training needed.

How It Works:• Voice control – Amazon Echo Show

• Smartphones and Tablets

• Ring, Nest (examples of devices that control temperature,

doorbells)

• Devices can be used as an intercom & can make calls. Also

adds a layer of security.

• Devices can act as a virtual assistant -- managing calendars,

lists and other needs.

• Devices can provide entertainment (music, reading books,

jokes, news, find recipes).

Everyday Things Working Smarter for You!

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Camera ($200) Remote monitoring via smart device or computer. Built in mike for communication. Monitors motion and sound.

You Control Your Front Door

Smart Locks ($300) Keyless entry, notification of entry, remote control of locks using smart device. Notification can be sent when used.

Doorbell ($300) Smart doorbells shows who is at the door and allows remote communication via computer or smart device. Motion detects for security and provides alerts.

Automatic Door Opener ($1700) Doors can be voice controlled

Echo Show ($230)

Voice-activation can

control the lock. It’s

possible to see who’s at

the door and control the

doorbell and automatic

door opener. 10

Thermostat ($250) Voice controlled and will learn, automatically adjusting temperature throughout the day.

TV Entertainment Voice Control ($160-$400) Always on hands free complete voice control of TV, Cable, TiVo-DVR’s & other video entertainment.

Smart Light Bulb ($30) Voice and smart device controlled, dimmable, color changing and can be programmed based on events.

Smart Switches and Plugs ($40-$70) Voice and smart device control of lights and appliances and can be programmed based on events.

You Control Your Living Space11

You Can Let People Know You Need Assistance

Voice Activated Emergency Signals ($250) Activate sirens and call bells with your voice. Can activate based on events like intruder detection.

Protect ($100) Detects fire, CO2 and motion. Will alert others remotely with messages to send help.

Innovative waysTo use your phone.We teach you new ways to use what you already have.

Intercom and Video calling anywhere in the U.S.Echo and Google Home can be used to make calls and intercom.

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Modern Consumer Products Applied as Assistive Technology

Hub ($90) Allows a diverse collection of smart products to speak the same wireless language and is controlled via smart devices.

Amazon Echo ($40-$200) Always on voice command of devices and services. Set alarms, order products, news, radio and more.

Protect ($100) Detects fire, CO2 and motion. Will alert others remotely with messages to send help.

Thermostat ($250) Voice controlled and will learn, automatically adjusting temperature throughout the day. Has motion detection and works with Protect as part of security.

Camera ($200) Remote monitoring via smart device or computer. Built in mike for communication. Monitors motion and sound working with Protect and Nest to provide security and send alerts if there is intrusion.

Doorbell ($200) Smart doorbells shows who is at the door and allows remote communication via computer or smart device. Motion detects for security and provides alerts.

Smart Light Bulb ($30) Voice and smart device controlled, dimmable, color changing and can be programmed based on events.

Automatic Door Opener ($2000) By touching a large button attached to a wheelchair the opener gives the ability to independently physically open and close the front door.

TV Entertainment Voice Control ($400) Always on hands free complete voice control of TV, Cable, TiVo, Netflix, Hulu and other video entertainment.

Smart Switches and Plugs ($40-$70) Voice and smart device control of lights and appliances and can be programmed based on events.

Voice Activated Emergency Signal ($30-$200) Activate sirens and call bells with your voice. Can activate based on events like intruder detection.

Voice and smartphone control of your home Smart Locks ($260)

Keyless entry, notification of entry, remote control of locks using smart device. Notification can be sent when used.

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SunKirb Has Configured Almost 20

Apartments at Inglis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkT6fAA0AFs

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Special Considerations for the Installation

• Knowledge of disabilities

• Knowledge of abilities

• Knowledge of technology

• Ability to work with a person’s support team

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SunKirb Ideas Services

• An Initial consultation to:➢Assess the environment (physical condition of door, Wi-Fi, acoustics and

wiring), capabilities of client, current smart devices, needs and level of support from care providers

➢Development of naming conventions for voice commands, unique automated events, key codes, security and notifications

• A proposal describing the pricing, products and use• The setup of cloud accounts and apps on smart devices and computers• Manage installation of products, configuration and testing• Programming of automations, robots and IFTT functions• General training • Follow-up support and if applicable, communication of free upgrades, new

capabilities and expanded functions

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Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF)

PATF’s programs include:

➢ Information and Assistance (funding resources, vendors)

➢ Financial Education (www.studymoney.us)

➢ Loan Programs

• Mini-Loan ($100 to $2,000 at 0%)

• Low-Interest ($2,001 to $60,000 at 3.75%)

✓(Guaranteed, Low-Interest up to $35,000)

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Information and Assistance (I & A) Services

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Funding Resources for Smart Home Devices

➢ Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (employment-related)

➢ Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs (“waivers”)

Electronic systems that enable someone with limited mobility to control various appliances, lights, telephone, doors and security systems in their room, home or other surroundings • Training or technical assistance for the participant, paid caregiver and unpaid caregiver

➢ Disability-Specific Organizations (e.g., Achieva, Fred’s Footsteps, Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund)

➢ Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF)

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Mini-Loan Program

Mini-Loan Program: $100 to $2,000 at 0% interest. No fees. $20/month minimum payment.

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PATF Example

John was diagnosed with ALS three years ago. He recently became a wheelchair user. He

has a new tablet, a birthday present from his children. John’s wife works part-time and John

is alone in the house during these times and while she runs errands. John came to PATF

just before Thanksgiving to get a mini-loan so that he could purchase an Echo Show (with

an added bonus of a smart light bulb) and a Nest during "Cyber Weekend."

The results: Mini-Loan (0% interest):

Echo Show: $179.99Nest: $249.99Service (Install and Training): $150.00Total Loan Amount: $580

Monthly Payments: $30Repayment Terms: 20 months

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Data Collection Findings (Inglis)

Average Daily Use: 10-15 times per day

Most Popular Uses: Music is the number one use; followed by checking on the weather, setting and listening to reminders, searching the Internet, and shopping.

The following is based on a scale of 1-5 (1 = Strongly Disagree; 5 = Strongly Agree)

1. My Smart Home Technology was easy to learn: 4.33

2. I would recommend Smart Home Technology to a friend: 4.73

3. I became more independent since using this system (Smart Home Technology): 4.20

4. I am able to troubleshoot my Smart Home Technology: 3.20

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Quotes

"The echo makes me more independent and secure. I feel more secure having the ability to see who is coming in and using the codes. I use the codes that Kirby set up for me and its great.“

"I didn't expect Alexa to have a personality. While I was on bedrest, she really helped offset my loneliness and depression. Sometimes I just talk to her to see what she has to say.“

"I like being able to see who is at my door so I can ignore them! It also has come in handy with my medication deliveries.“

"It's been a game-changer to be able to change my lights and the thermostat. I used to not even bother because I didn't want to inconvenience my aide. I forgot what I was missing.

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What’s Next?

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Contact Us!

Tracy Beck

Susan Tachau

PATF

888-744-1938

www.patf.us

Kirby Smith

SunKirb Ideas, LLC.

215-253-3848

www.sunkirb.com28