User Acceptance of Smart Home Technologies
Summary
User acceptance of smart home technologies hinges on a complex interplay of personal, social and technological factors. Foundational frameworks such as the Technology Acceptance Model and Innovation Diffusion Theory have been extended to account for context-specific considerations in the domestic environment. Key determinants include perceived usefulness and ease of use, tempered by hedonic motivation and social influence. Privacy and security concerns remain critical inhibitors, prompting designers to prioritise transparent data handling and robust safeguards. Personalisation of device behaviour and interfaces can bolster perceived value, yet excessive complexity may deter less technologically inclined users. Demographic variables such as age, income and technological affinity shape adoption patterns across regions, while cultural attitudes towards automation influence readiness to delegate tasks to intelligent systems. Energy management, health monitoring and assisted living applications illustrate the global significance of smart homes, offering avenues for sustainability, well-being and independent ageing. Practical deployment benefits from participatory design and iterative user feedback to ensure alignment with household routines and preferences. As smart home ecosystems evolve towards greater interoperability, research continues to explore how networked assemblages of devices can foster seamless interaction without overwhelming users. Understanding acceptance in this dynamic context underpins both commercial strategies and public policy initiatives aimed at realising the societal potential of intelligent living environments.
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User Acceptance of Smart Home Technologies publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in user acceptance of smart home technologies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Perceived usefulness: The degree to which a user believes that a particular system enhances their performance or daily activities.
Hedonic motivation: The pleasure or enjoyment derived from interacting with a technology beyond purely functional benefits.
Social influence: The extent to which individuals perceive that important others expect them to use a technology.
Compatibility: The degree to which an innovation fits with existing values, experiences and household routines.
Risk perception: Users’ assessment of potential negative outcomes associated with using smart home devices.
Technology affinity: An individual’s predisposition or comfort level towards engaging with new technological systems.
References
- The exploration of users’ perceived value from personalization and virtual conversational agents to enable a smart home assemblage– A mixed method approach. International Journal of Information Management (2025).
- The householder is king: Engendering householder participation in bridging the performance gap in homes. Energy Research & Social Science (2023).
- On the Adoption of Smart Home Technology in Switzerland: Results from a Survey Study Focusing on Prevention and Active Healthy Aging Aspects. Smart Cities (2024).
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