Smart tech

CSherwin
CSherwin Online Community Member Posts: 5 Connected
edited July 2024 in Housing and independent living
We are renovating a house and looking to put in some voice activated tech that will help our 16 yr old son (with spastic quadriplegia). He already has an Alexa, though we're considering basing everything on Google for the new place.

He can't really do everything required to prepare food for himself, do we're mainly focussing on his room/living area. 

 I've so far considered windows (open and close), blinds (seems more reliable tech than curtains, though we've always has the latter in the past), doors (open & close), lights (on & off) and we'll have a smart thermostat. He can control our TV through his Permobil chair, though voice control would make channel selection easier for him... Any recommendations gratefully received!

Has anyone else done something similar? Have you used Google, Alexa or a different system? Are there other things we should consider? 

Thanks for any help/suggestions

Comments

  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,455 Championing
    Hi @CSherwin :) 

    I haven't used much smart tech, so I'm probably not best placed to advise you on this. I hope that another member who does use this kind of tech will be able to give you some further ideas! It sounds as though you've had some good thoughts about what your devices could be used for already. 

    We have a page on our website about smart tech, which you might like to read if you haven't already.

    We also had a thread about a similar topic a while back, which you may want to browse through.
  • CSherwin
    CSherwin Online Community Member Posts: 5 Connected
    Thanks @Tori_Scope. I'll take a look!
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    You are welcome @CSherwin. It is the very least you deserve.

    Have you managed to take a look yet? Just wondering how it has gone and if you need any further support  :)
  • petebeckett
    petebeckett Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
    Hi @CSherwin, great to meet you.

    This just so happens to be my area of expertise, so it'd be my pleasure to help you understand the possibilities of what the technology could do for your son.

    In terms of which system to use I think any of the big three (Google, Apple or Amazon) should stand you in good stead. There is also a concerted effort from these companies to come together around a new standard which has started to roll out, so this should only improve from now on.

    I control my TV at home using Siri to navigate my Apple TV, however beyond switching the TV on/off there are currently less options for the TV set itself. Do you happen to know the make/model of the TV? I may be able to look into this for you.

    Any other questions you have let me know and I'd be happy to advise.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,455 Championing
    Thank you so much for sharing this insight @petebeckett :) 
  • JustPete
    JustPete Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 303 Empowering
    Hello @CSherwin Like your son, I am gradually 'Teching' out my house.  I thought I would be using one system, but I am using Google, Alexa & Apple along with Possum equipment.  If you would like specific advice, in addition to the advice given by my colleagues above, please do let me know.
  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,410 Championing
    Microsoft used to have a department specialising in disabled tech 
    I will let you know whether it still exists 
  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,410 Championing
    CSherwin said:
    We are renovating a house and looking to put in some voice activated tech that will help our 16 yr old son (with spastic quadriplegia). He already has an Alexa, though we're considering basing everything on Google for the new place.

    He can't really do everything required to prepare food for himself, do we're mainly focussing on his room/living area. 

     I've so far considered windows (open and close), blinds (seems more reliable tech than curtains, though we've always has the latter in the past), doors (open & close), lights (on & off) and we'll have a smart thermostat. He can control our TV through his Permobil chair, though voice control would make channel selection easier for him... Any recommendations gratefully received!

    Has anyone else done something similar? Have you used Google, Alexa or a different system? Are there other things we should consider? 

    Thanks for any help/suggestions

    Sorry - forgot totally about this

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,410 Championing
    CSherwin said:
    We are renovating a house and looking to put in some voice activated tech that will help our 16 yr old son (with spastic quadriplegia). He already has an Alexa, though we're considering basing everything on Google for the new place.

    He can't really do everything required to prepare food for himself, do we're mainly focussing on his room/living area. 

     I've so far considered windows (open and close), blinds (seems more reliable tech than curtains, though we've always has the latter in the past), doors (open & close), lights (on & off) and we'll have a smart thermostat. He can control our TV through his Permobil chair, though voice control would make channel selection easier for him... Any recommendations gratefully received!

    Has anyone else done something similar? Have you used Google, Alexa or a different system? Are there other things we should consider? 

    Thanks for any help/suggestions
    I suggest that you contact these guys


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