A Study on the Direction of Smart Furniture by Changes in Ubiquitous Technology-Based Residential Environment

Abstract

This study is intended to forecast changes in Ubiquitous technology-based residential environment since the digital revolution so as to suggest the direction of furniture design in the near future. Among Ubiquitous technologies, the intelligent digital technology applied to a residential environment is defined as "Smart Digital Technology." Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy named the residential environment where such technology is applied "Smart Home." Smart Home is strategically creating intelligent residential environment where interactivity is made between human, furniture and residential environment, based on home automation, home network and intelligent sensor technology. Smart furniture is based on strategic characteristics of smart home. Its convergence with IT equipments is being made. Largely, smart furniture has three characteristics as below: First, smart furniture provides users with information on home management, health management, education and fashion, not just functioning as storage space. Second, smart furniture that is a new lifestyle pattern will suggest a new aesthetic standard based on unsettled shapes and innovative structure. Finally, it gives convenience to users intelligently. Namely, smart furniture, "intelligent informative furniture", will be suggested as a new paradigm.