Mitsubishi Electric announced today its next-generation concept for home life- Mitsubishi Electric Smart Home. Mitsubishi Electric Smart Home combines sensors and linked appliances and other household equipment to support the daily lives of families by enabling individuals to easily share information about their mental and physical conditions. The existing concept of smart houses involves the use of advanced appliances and other equipment via information technology, and visualizes as well as optimally controls household energy consumption.
When a family member comes close to the entrance door, he or she is authenticated with a camera. Once the door is unlocked, health state sensing is performed based on biological information including body temperature and pulse rate collected by the door handle. When the person opens the door and enters the house, the health conditions and future schedules of all the family members are displayed on a sidewall of the entrance.
Mitsubishi Electric is taking the concept further by focusing on family members’ mental and physical conditions as well as comfortable, enjoyable stress-free lifestyles. Although specific commercial applications for Mitsubishi Electric Smart Home have not been determined yet, Mitsubishi Electric is conducting research and development to apply the concept in its smart-house and home-appliance businesses.
Practical applications of the Mitsubishi Electric Smart Home concept may include the following:
Entrance:
Camera identifies and authenticates each family member as they approach the front door.
Door-handle sensor collects biological information, such as body temperature and heart-rate to assess the person’s physical condition.
Kitchen:
Health and daily schedules of each family member is displayed in the entry hall.
Refrigerator door displays recommended recipes based on body data collected with sensing devices and food items available in the refrigerator.
Countertop displays preparation instructions and other helpful information, such as cooking tips and remaining cooking times.
Induction stove allows cooking vessels to be placed anywhere on the cooking surface, enabling two or more people to cook at the same time.
Outlet-free, non-contact power supply system feeds power to appliances anywhere in the house.