THE HOUSE THAT THINKS FOR ITSELF
Home automation is big business in Japan. The Ozakis had a dream house which was built a few months ago. In the kitchen, they have put in a 128-button computer console that allows them to control every light switch in the house, start the bath or shower running at precisely the temperature that they choose, look all the doors and program the air-conditioners. The doors open and shut automatically as they approach. If they are out, they can call up and check that they have locked all the doors and if somebody breaks in, the security system will get in touch with them and the police. Smoke and fire alarms, gas leak sensors and panic buttons are also wired in. Mrs. Ozaki says home automation has great advantages.
Automation has changed our lives. We don't have to waste our energy. The more rooms you have, the more convenient it is. You can operate everything from one spot.
Does it make you lazy?
I think it's convenient. That's a bit different from being lazy. Even with home automation you can't do everything lying down.
However fantastic the house may seem, the fact is that Japanese scientists are already setting up systems that make the Ozakis home seem old-fashioned by comparison, and if all goes well, by the end of this decade they will have developed not only a thinking house but intelligent home appliances as well.
Ex.1. Replace the words in italics with the correct form of a phrasal verb from the text.
a) The thieves entered without permission.
b) They can telephone the computer and order it to lock the doors.
c) The couple installed a computer.
d) The system can contact the police.
e) Scientists are establishing new systems.
Ex.2. Find in the text expressions in which the following words are attributes and translate them: dream, button, light, air, security, smoke, fire, panic, gas.
Ex.3. Answer the following questions on the text.
1. What is the function of the computer console in the Ozakis kitchen?
2. What is the security system for?
3. What reasons does Mrs. Ozaki give for an automated house?
Ex.4. Discuss with you friend if you would like to have something similar in your house. Give your reasons for and again automation in our houses.
Ex.5. Listen to the dialogue and remember the appliances, furniture and parts of the home that are mentioned.
JE. Home automation is big business in Japan. By the end of this decade, it will be worth at least 4 billion a year in Japan alone. So what can we hope to see? Earlier this week our correspondent spoke to Dr. Nakamura, an expert on home automation.
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N. Well, I have been working on a thinking house for five years now. I've completed the initial plans and if all goes well we will have built and completed three in the Tokyo area by the year 2010.
JE. What will the houses be like?
N. Well, from the outside they will look like ordinary houses but each house will be governed by 1,000 computers, sensors, and electronic switches.
JE. What will they do?
N. Well, basically, they will control the house for the owner. For example, the windows will open and close themselves depending on the weather. When it gets dark, the curtains will close automatically and the lights will come on, and if you decide to play the drums late at night, the central computer will shut all the doors and windows to avoid disturbing the neighbours. We'll also have other features like an intelligent kitchen which will show you how to cook and measure the ingredients, and a central cleaning system that sucks up dust as soon as it lands. We're still working on the design but I expect we'll have thought of most things by the time we finish.
LE. I'm sure Dr. Nakamura will. Naturally, the intelligent house requires a new generation of home appliances, and a group of Japanese companies hope that by the end of the century they will have perfected and put on the market 'intelligent' home appliances which crudely imitate human thinking. For example, they already have a prototype of an intelligent washing-machine which adjusts the temperature, length, and soapiness of the wash, depending on the fabrics and how dirty it thinks the laundry is, and if all goes well, it won't be long before we can buy a television set that raises or lowers its volume when it senses the viewer moving from or towards the set. The revolution goes beyond convenience and in five years' time the same group of companies will have introduced an intelligent super-bed with sensors which will monitor your heart rate, weight, body temperature, and blood pressure. Another sensor will perform analysis and tell you if anything is wrong, and in ten years' time they will have perfected a system to transmit all this information to a computer in a medical centre for further analysis. If the success of other Japanese products is anything to go by, home automation will affect us all in the near future – or will it? I rather like being in control – don't you?
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Topics for discussions and essays:
1) The room I like best in our flat.
2) The kitchen every woman dreams about.
3) My attitude to home automation.
4) An Englishman’s home is his castle.
5) Men make houses, women make homes.
Role-play:
Try
a) to help your friend. She has moved into a new flat but she has no idea how to furnish it.
b) calm down your mother who is upset, because haven’t tidied up your room yet. Give your reasons why you haven’t done it, promise to do it in an hour.
c) convince your husband to buy a new fridge as your fridge has been out of order for two days.
d) to persuade a friend of yours that it’s very enjoyable to share a room with people of your age. Your friend is of a different idea.
Project:
Create a PowerPoint Presentation ”The house of my dream”.
Additional Texts
Using strong colours
Strong contrast.
If a dramatic look is what you're after, using strong contrasting colours such as bright pink and blue, vivid green and lilac or red and yellow will add instant vitality to a room. Do keep furniture and accessories simple, though, to avoid sensory overload! A good choice for social rooms such as:
1) Children's playrooms;
2) Dining rooms and kitchens.
Blues.
Blue is always a popular choice because, depending how you use it, it'll look good in both modern and traditional rooms. Ignore anyone who tells you it's a 'cold' colour – pick the right shade and it can be both calming and fresh. A good choice for:
1) Bathrooms – choose aqua tones to reflect a water theme;
2) Bedrooms – cool tones create a calm, relaxing retreat;
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3) Kitchens – choose a bright shade and team with yellow for a cheery room.
Yellows.
The colour of sunshine, yellow is a cheerful shade guaranteed to lift your mood. It's an excellent choice for rooms that don't get much natural light, and can look either bright and modern, or subtly chic. A good choice for:
1) Hallways – it gives a feeling of light and space;
2) Family rooms – creates a cheerful, sunny atmosphere;
3) Studies – this lively, optimistic colour encourages concentration.
Oranges.
This colour is welcoming and cosy, so it's a great choice for rooms where you want to create an informal fell. It's a good choice for playrooms too, as children love this bright, sunny colour. A good choice for:
1) Dining rooms – choose a bright shade to create a lively atmosphere for entertaining;
2) Living rooms – choose a warm shade for a cosy, relaxing feel.
Colour accents.
Using a bright shade as an accent in a plain coloured room can create a dramatic effect. Paint walls a pale colour and add interest by painting woodwork in a contrasting bright shade, or stick to a neutral room and liven it up with brightly coloured furniture, accessories or pictures. It's an easy look to create and it's simple to revamp when you fancy a change.
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