Bernard Wignall

The aim of the BIRT Assistive Technology (BAT) House is to explore the potential
of using smart home technology to maintain safety and support areas of cognitive
impairment, thus maximizing the independence of individuals who have sustained a
severe brain injury, ultimately enabling them to live in the community with minimal
support from paid or family careers.

2.1 Participants

The present report comprises the case-studies of two individuals with acquired brain
injury who lived in the BAT House, before permanently moving from a residential
rehabilitation setting into the community.

2.2 Smart House Properties

The smart house is an implementation of the i-Cue dynamic support environment
(Halliday James Ltd, England). It comprises a Central Processing Unit (CPU) which
can be programmed by a simple event based programming language, an LCD keypad
and a door station. The CPU is connected to sensors using a wired RS485 data bus, in
the BAT house data is gathered by passive infra-red sensors (N=6), door sensors (N=3)
and utility sensors (N=4). There is also a fingerprint reader for door entry and exit. The
CPU has an Ethernet connection to allow remote access for data gathering and
programming as well as wireless control of appliances and shower.