Building Automation, an Acceptable Solution to Dependence? Responses Through an Acceptability Survey About a Sensors Platform

Abstract Background In response to the increasing dependence issue and the spectacular development of automated applications, our research aims at answering the following question: Is building automation an acceptable solution to dependence? Under which conditions is building automation perceived as acceptable by organisations caring for dependent people? To answer those questions, we based on the CoCaPs project, which is a French national supported research project with the ambition to develop a low-cost sensors platform capable to provide enriched information about people's behaviour inside a building and aiming at better controlling energy and improving people's security and comfort. We had the opportunity to join the project team with the task to undertake a usage investigation. Methods In this context, we interviewed 26 professionals involved in organisations dedicated to dependent people (nursing homes for dependent elderly people, nursing homes for dependant disable people, home-care organisations). All interviews were recorded and the completely verbatim of the interviews data were transcribed and analysed manually. Results The data analysis revealed that surveyed people mainly react positively to the presentation of the sensors platform developed by the CoCaPs project team. However, surveyed people pointed out to a number data of criteria about acceptability related to automated systems dedicated to dependent persons. Conclusion Our results suggest that an automated system is acceptable by the target organisations under various practical, ethical, social and financial criteria. Our research thus also demonstrate the importance to adopt a social-technique approach that means to consider simultaneously social and technical dimensions in any system development