Smart Home Advancements for Health Care and Beyond: Systematic Review of Two Decades of User-Centric Innovation

Abstract

Background: The rapid advancement of Internet of Things and artificial intelligence technologies has driven significant growth in the demand for smart home products, with household penetration projected to increase from 77.6% in 2025 to 92.5% in 2029. Despite this growth, much of the existing research adopts a technology-push approach, focusing primarily on user adoption and acceptance from the perspective of technology providers rather than addressing the evolving needs and experiences of users. Objective: This study seeks to bridge this gap by conducting a comprehensive review of 20 years of smart home literature (2000-2023) using bibliometric and thematic analysis. The objective is to align future research with user needs and market trends by examining technology, user behavior, and service perspectives to inform academic and industry developments. Methods: The analysis was carried out in four steps: (1) collecting 5981 abstracts from the Web of Science database (from 2000 to the first half of 2023), (2) preprocessing and refining the data, (3) applying topic modeling to 1003 selected papers, and (4) combining bibliometric network analysis with qualitative, in-depth interpretation. Results: This study identified 110 key topics across 4 distinct periods, providing insights into 2 decades of advancements in technology, applications, and user-centered research. The findings illustrate the progression of smart home technologies from wireless networks to Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, the expansion of services from basic monitoring to applications such as energy management and health care, and a shift in user profiles from early adopters to underserved populations. The study highlights the limitations of the technology-push approach and underscores the importance of understanding diverse user groups and improving user experiences. It also emphasizes the potential of ambient intelligence environments to intuitively adapt to the health and lifestyle needs of all residents, simplifying and enriching daily life. Conclusions: This research delivers valuable academic and practical insights into the evolution of the smart home domain, showcasing a shift from technology-push strategies to user-centered approaches. By prioritizing user satisfaction and quality of life—especially in health care—the findings open new commercial opportunities and pave the way for innovative, real-world smart home solutions tailored to contemporary user needs.