Environmental Controls and Smart Home technologies are devices that can assist a person enter their home or control various devices within it such as their lights, heating system, television, music player or door intercom.  If can provide many benefits to an individual which include increased independence, access, security, privacy and comfort.  Controlling these systems is now possible using apps on portable phones and tablets.

Two examples of apps are the HouseMate Mobile and Evoassist.  They can be controlled via the touchscreen or by using a single switch.  For single switch control these apps require switch interfaces.  Both apps consist of programmable grids that can be seen in the pictures.  Where there are many devices within the home it is often necessary to use many grids or pages that are linked together.  Programming the “grids” involves recording the infrared codes from the remotes around the home.  So for example the essential buttons on the TV remote will be recorded onto one grid. 

Some key features of the HousemateMobile include,

• Compatible with Android phones, tables and smart displays
• Operated by switches, wheelchair joysticks or touch screen
• Rich graphical interface with text, icons or photos
• Multiple user levels, Auditory scanning, Text to speech
• InfraRed, Z-wave (Wifi), EasyWave and optional RF Nurse call
• Make and answer calls, send and receive SMS messages, play music
• Complete control over Android phone and installed apps
•  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIXKoBVzd58#t=68

 And key features of Evoassist are,

• Compatible with iOS devices
• Operation by touch screen or switch scanning
• Text or icon display options
• Option of audio and visual prompts
• Pre-recorded phrases for use as a simple communication aid
• Wi-Fi, Radio or Infra-Red operation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Yeh-c8Rag