Until recently, robotic systems were associated with industrial enterprises or scientific laboratories, but today they are increasingly appearing in the homes of ordinary people. Robot vacuum cleaners, smart speakers, climate control systems, and even robotic kitchen assistants have become commonplace. Such rapid integration of technology into everyday life creates a need to think more deeply about home automation, to explore its technical, social, and ethical aspects, as well as its impact on our lives and future.

Home automation is developing thanks to the combination of several key technologies: the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning. Smart systems control lighting, temperature, security, household appliances, and even human health indicators. For example, AI assistants (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant) allow you to control all devices in your home with your voice, while smart refrigerators and washing machines can independently optimize energy consumption and plan their work. Using sensors and cloud connectivity, these devices create an ecosystem where data is analyzed in real time and decisions are made automatically. Thus, robots in everyday life are no longer just mechanical assistants – they are becoming intelligent systems that respond to human needs.

Despite their convenience, the integration of AI and robotics into everyday life raises a number of social and ethical questions. On the one hand, automated systems support the independence of elderly people and people with disabilities by monitoring their health, reminding them to take their medication, or calling for emergency assistance. Researchers note that Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) systems can significantly improve the quality of life for such users, but in practice, the level of acceptance of these technologies is lower than expected due to concerns about privacy and control (Majumder et al., 2017).

Ethical dilemmas cover several important areas. First, there is trust in automated decisions: are people willing to allow machines to determine the parameters of their environment without direct intervention? Second, there is the issue of privacy – devices collect vast amounts of data about residents' behavior, which increases the risk of unauthorized access. Third, there is social inequality in access to technology: while some can afford intelligent systems, others remain outside the technological advantages. Thus, even useful innovations can reinforce social barriers if their implementation is not ethically balanced.

The prospects for the development of home automation are primarily linked to the deepening role of AI. As Gavi notes, future systems will be able to anticipate user needs using predictive analytics and habit analysis (Gavi, 2024). Artificial intelligence is improving to such an extent that it will be able to adapt the home environment to a person's emotional state or well-being, for example, by changing the lighting or temperature to create a calming atmosphere. The spread of 5G technologies will enable even faster data exchange between devices, and the expansion of voice interfaces will make interaction more natural. The global home automation market is expected to continue to grow rapidly, as demand for comfort, energy efficiency, and security increases every year (Gavi, 2024).

Home automation has already become an integral part of everyday life, combining technological advances with lifestyle changes. It simplifies life, increases safety and comfort, but at the same time poses new moral challenges for society. The future of automation depends on how well we can strike a balance between technological progress and the protection of human values – privacy, trust, and equality. Only a responsible approach to the implementation of such systems will ensure the harmonious coexistence of humans and technology in the “smart” home.

References:

1. Gavi, K. (2024, November 27). A detailed exploration of the evolution and progress in home automation systems. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/386170242_A_Detailed_Exploration_of_the_Evolution_and_Progress_in_Home_Automation_Systems
2. Majumder, S., Aghayi, E., Noferesti, M., Memarzadeh-Tehran, H., Mondal, T., Pang, Z., & Deen, M. J. (2017, October 31). Smart homes for elderly healthcare: Recent advances and research challenges. National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5712846/