Depending on your outlook, the smart home of the future may be an essential caregiver (or an annoying nudge) explains Emily Badger, who explores the new technology giving homes the ability to reason what’s going on inside them.
Badger speaks with Diane Cook, a researcher at Washington State University who recently published an article in the journal Science, on the promise of "smart homes" that aren't simply wired or connected, but that can learn about your behaviors and adapt to them.
As Badger explains, "Cook has been focusing on two potential applications for this kind of in-home "ambient intelligence" that could dramatically benefit society. Smart homes could help control energy usage. But they could also enable an aging population to live in their own homes longer."
While such homes may valuable in helping your grandmother to live alone longer by reminding her to take medication, or detecting signs of dementia, one could imagine such a home also acting like your grandmother and asking whether you might not need an extra sweater as you leave the house on a blustery day.
FULL STORY: Soon Your Home May Be Smarter Than You Are

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie