Participate in UM's cutting edge energy research
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UM's researchers are designing the next generation of smart thermostats for home, and we are looking for participants to join the study.
We want to learn more about how people might live with smart thermostats that can predict people's comfort level. You will help us test out the prototypes we create.
To participate, you need to
Have control of the thermostat in your home and pay for your usage
Currently live in Washtenaw County or areas within a 40 minute of driving from Ann Arbor
Have lived in Washtenaw County or an area with similar weather (e.g., cold and snowy winter) for at least a year
You will receive $50 for completing the study. The study consists three phases:
Initial Interview | 30 mins
Participate in an initial interview at the University of Michigan. This interview allows us to learn about how you usually control the temperature environment at home, and your thinking about sustainability.
Temperature Diary | 3 days
Then, we will install an app called "Paco" on your phone and give you two thermometers. Paco will ask you your comfort level and the temperature at the time 3 times a day. The main purpose for this step is to help you understand the temperature you prefer to live in.
User Enactment | 90 mins
Finally, we will invite you to our smart home testbed in Ann Arbor. We will present some smart thermostat designs to you and obtain your feedback. To help you react to the thermostat naturally, we will ask you to act through five hypothetical scenarios. We will only ask you to act out common activities you do at home, none of them are inappropriate.