B1 Group D: Kate Flint

HVAC

Keen Home’s Smart Vents implement Smart Phone App technology, and pressure and temperature sensors.  Vents can be remotely opened and closed from the App depending on which rooms are occupied during different times of the day. The vents are battery powered and can replace any standard vent. Each room will receive a schedule depending on its function so the app knows what time of day the room is most often occupied.  This cuts down on energy use and will make a residential HVAC system more efficient.  The article also explains that this technology is best when implemented with a smart thermostat.

http://www.wired.com/2015/01/brilliant-air-vents-never-knew-needed/#slide-x

Sensors

MyFox security system allows a homeowner to monitor their home’s safety when they are away via cameras. When the family returns home the cameras shut off to preserve their privacy.  The system’s 2-way audio capability allows family members away from home to communicate with those in the home. This system also utilizes an App which stores up to 7 days of recorded video, can arm and disarm the system, and monitor who is entering and exiting. Sensors on doors and windows will detect a break-in and sound the alarm before an intruder can enter the home. Users can also allow friends and neighbors access to their security system, which can be helpful when traveling out of town.

http://www.getmyfox.com/us_en/

Database

Before data can be analyzed, we must understand how it is connected.  Graphing data can be helpful to understand and manipulate data. According to the All Things D article, “graphs are the best abstraction we have for modeling and querying connectedness.” Personally, I have not worked with Big Data before or many databases. A graph database is defined as “an online transactional system that allows you to store, manage and query your data in the form of a graph.”  Data and databases are important to almost all career fields to help businesses grow and better understand their customers.  Telenor, a wireless Telco company, uses graphs to organize Big Data on customer accounts.

http://allthingsd.com/20130109/graphs-as-a-new-way-of-thinking/

AI/Future

“Artificial Intelligence will replace Smartphone in five years.”  This is an alarming and interesting statement.  This idea was concluded after surveying 5000 Smartphone users around the world. This article explains the many limitations of Smartphone, which explains why AI could replace them. A handheld device with a definite battery life is limiting and impractical.  Most of those polled believed that AI will become wearable and many household appliances will contain an audio AI component.  They also believed that an AI system could replace teachers, travel agents, assistants, and doctors in certain situations.  This article demonstrates that the Smart Homes of the future are much closer than we think.

http://www.kurzweilai.net/ai-will-replace-smartphones-within-5-years-ericsson-survey-suggests

Comments:

Danielle, I was very interested in the idea you mentioned of "data singularity" and the Internet of Things. I think this technology would be especially helpful in building design and monitoring. Currently I think the construction industry is lacking an understanding of how humans utilize buildings and building systems. An apartment building can have the most advance, efficient HVAC system in the world, but if none of the residence know how to use it properly it is not very efficient.
Another issue I foresee with "data singularity"is the issue of privacy. Americans especially greatly value their privacy and may not want their every move recorded and analyzed for the advancement of science.
As you also stated, many advancements are being made to create more efficient HVAC and lighting systems. Buildings utilize a significant portion of the energy made around the world, and will need to become more efficient during this energy crisis.

I am especially interested in Passive House technology, which sets standards to make a building twice as efficient as a Platinum LEED building.  This technology pairs a highly efficient envelope (with a high R-value) with a small, efficient HVAC system.   Passive House buildings are able to keep and maintain a comfortable internal temperature and use less energy than conventional buildings. These buildings can become more energy efficient by adding AI and smart building components such as Smart Vents and a smart thermostat.

http://www.phius.org/home-page

James http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/01/b1-group-d-redus.html?showComment=1452638545809#c6660136212418568563