ABSTRACT

This article outlines and demonstrates the practice of troubleshooting as a method. We argue that as an interdisciplinary, collaborative, digital-hybridized and adaptable approach, troubleshooting provides an ethical opportunity to explore the experiences and outcomes of (older) people living with connected home technologies in ways that deliver novel and meaningful research insights. Our discussion draws on the experience of a project that worked with ageing people (70+) to tailor and explore their experiences with smart home devices to support their independence and wellbeing. A personalized suite of digital voice assistants (DVAs), robotic vacuum cleaners, smart lights, kettles and switches were installed into the domestic spaces and routines of 23 households and 33 participants living in rural Australia. The project team developed a methodological framework, which took an unplanned and innovative turn in response to the physical distancing challenges brought by COVID-19 lockdowns, with the social connectivity offered by the devices trialled, and the creative digital living skills between the project team and its participants. We conclude by identifying future areas of research at the intersection of smart technologies, aged care services and the home as a site of research and of ongoing methodological design.

摘要

本文概述并演示了故障排除实践作为一种方法。我们认为，作为一种跨学科、协作、数字混合和适应性强的方法，故障排除提供了一个道德机会，可以以提供新颖而有意义的研究见解的方式探索（老年人）使用联网家庭技术的体验和结果。我们的讨论借鉴了一个与老年人（70 岁以上）合作的项目的经验，以定制和探索他们使用智能家居设备的体验，以支持他们的独立性和幸福感。居住在澳大利亚农村的 23 户家庭和 33 名参与者的家庭空间和日常生活中安装了一套个性化的数字语音助理 (DVA)、机器人吸尘器、智能灯、水壶和开关。项目团队开发了一个方法框架，该框架采取了计划外和创新的转变，以应对 COVID-19 封锁带来的物理距离挑战，试用设备提供的社交连接，以及项目团队和项目团队之间的创造性数字生活技能它的参与者。最后，我们确定了智能技术、老年护理服务和家庭交叉点的未来研究领域，作为研究和持续方法设计的场所。