A W orld of Difference for One Injured Veteran
IoT is cha nging the wa y people live, how they work a nd even how they a da pt to big cha nges in their lives.
With a predicted mark et size of $ 4 trillion by 2020, the IoT is already seeing innovations at every level, including in the smart home. By tak ing the new connected capabilities of everyday devices lik e lights and thermostats, and giving users the ability to control their environment both at home and remotely, the IoT shifting the way we interact with our homes. And for some, this shift can mean everything.
The idea of a smart home might sound lik e a luxury, but for United States Coast Guard chief petty officer ( CPO) James Butz and his family, a connected home represented the opportunity to improve their quality of life. Butz joined the military in 1985 and was work ing with an anti- terrorism unit in 2003 when he was injured during a mission and ended up with a crushed k nee and severely injured back . Now retired after 24 years in the Coast Guard, Butz has undergone 20 surgeries and three k nee replacements as a result of the injury.
A new lea se on life
Adjusting to such catastrophic injuries is a lifelong challenge. Once mundane task s lik e flipping a light switch, adjusting the thermostat or closing the garage door became challenges for CPO Butz. Fortunately, through the support of numerous organizations and the surrounding community, James and his family were able to move into a brand new smart home in April2015.
The builders and technology integrators k new the Butz family would benefit from a home control system that included affordable and easy- to- use connected thermostats, deadbolts, lighting, smok e detectors, motion sensors and more. In order to blend with their lifestyle, all the technology needed to be managed from the family’s smartphones and tablets. In addition to control features, the home also has a fully integrated security system with cameras, intercom and weather services that provide audible tornado and severe weather warning alerts remotely. CPO Butz’s humbling story is a reminder of how IoT technology can be transformative.