An Intelligent Environment Must Be Adaptive

Abstract

Michael C. Mozer, University of Colorado What will the home of the future look like? One popular vision is that household devices-appliances, entertainment centers, phones, thermostats, lights-will be endowed with microprocessors that allow the devices to communicate with one another and with the home’s inhabitants. The dishwasher can ask the water heater whether the water temperature is adequate; inhabitants can telephone home and remotely instruct the VCR to record a favonte show; the TV could select news stones of special interest to the inhabitant; the stereo might lower its volume when the phone rings; and the clothes dryer might make an announcement over an intercom system when it has completed its cycle.