Overlooked pitfalls and perks of automation unearthed through a living lab trial

Conference item : Poster

Automation of daily life activities promise energy efficiency gains, demand reduction and a more integrated, decentralised, and flexible energy system. Much research investigates the direct impacts on energy from technologies offering automation such as smart learning thermostats and other internet of things (IoT). However, indirect and systemic social impacts are often overlooked but can have detrimental consequences on energy and climate.

This study investigates the overlooked impacts of automation through a mixed methods experimental research design as part of a UK living lab. A sub-sample of 10 living lab households trialled the automation of floor cleaning through smart vacuum cleaners for one month. Detailed activity specific data was collected pre, during and post-trial to measure the effects of floor cleaning automation on not only energy consumption but also time-use, household members' roles and responsibilities, behavioural norms and expectations.

The trial revealed a range of impacts from automation: 1) reduced time spent by household occupants on both planning and executing floor cleaning tasks, increased multi-tasking and notable 'time rebound' effects; 2) substantial shifts in household responsibilities, with the move from traditional human-centric chores to automation-driven tasks alleviating mental stress and family pressures, illustrating a positive shift in household dynamics; and 3) increased household tidiness and cleanliness, accompanied by heightened expectations for cleaning frequency.

While there were positive shifts in time management and household dynamics, these were accompanied by altered cleaning norms and increased energy consumption (dependent upon factors such as floor space, and the digital skills of the users). These findings underscore the importance of considering broader societal and behavioural effects when evaluating the impacts of digital automation.

Authors: Vrain, E; Wilson, C

• Publication status: Published
• Publisher: European Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
• Host title: eceee 2024 Summer Study on energy efficiency: sustainable, safe & secure through demand reduction
• Article number: 8-171-24
• Chapter number: Panel: 8. Products, systems and technologies to decarbonise buildings
• Publication date: 2024-06-11
• Event title: eceee 2024 Summer Study Sustainable, safe and secure through demand reduction
• Event location: Chamouille, France
• Event website: https://www.eceee.org/summerstudy/
• Event start date: 2024-06-06
• Event end date: 2024-06-15
• EISSN: 2001-7960
• ISSN: 1653-70252
• EISBN: 9789198827033
• ISBN: 9789198827026
• Language: English
• Subtype: Poster