Smart Consumer Research Articles

The Generation Z Readiness for Industrial Revolution 4.0

The Industrial Revolution 4.0 came after the third industrial revolution based on human resource and labour. Currently, the beginning of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 has changed people’s daily life and work. Generation Z are people who were born after the mid-1990s. They are characterized as a smart consumer for technology and are digital natives that will be joining the workforce. They bring new skillsets, high expectations and a desire to disrupt the industry. This quantitative study was conducted to determine the readiness of Generation Z and their knowledge on the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Data collection was through online Google form distribution using social media platforms such as Whats App to take the opportunity of Generation Z interconnection to cyberspace and their association with frequently using technology. The findings show that the level of knowledge on the present Generation Z towards Industrial Revolution 4.0 is on a low level but their readiness on the arrival of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 is at a high level. The researchers suggest that Generation Z is required to increase their knowledge on the issues and information regarding the Industrial Revolution 4.0 by implementing lifelong learning skills because the concept of lifelong learning is an open learning process that gives people the ability to learn and keep learning which mainly based on self-direction. So, these skills are important to help Generation Z build interest and knowledge for the mainstream.

“Smarter information, smarter consumers”? Insights into the housing market

This study explores how information helps housing consumers make informed decisions and discusses potential market outcomes. We analyse the interaction between the disclosure of information on property conditions and the disparity between home sellers' willingness to accept (WTA) and home buyers' willingness to pay (WTP). Three hypotheses are derived and validated through field experimental investigation within the property market. We find that a WTA–WTP disparity exists. The identified policy instrument for information disclosure appears to function as expected. The WTA–WTP disparity is considerably reduced after information disclosure, and market liquidity and efficiency are improved. This study is an important complement to prior research on how information changes the behaviour of consumers in housing markets. Findings can inform central governments about the wider benefits of smart disclosure in the future, as well as the scope, format and structure of information supplied to general housing consumers to promote efficiency.

Fragile or Smart Consumers? Suggestions for the US from the EU

Due to advances in data processing, the use of digital technology is now widespread in many sectors of the world economy. It is possible that, in the near future, only a few markets will remain unaffected by this new industrial revolution. Therefore, even though this new stage in human progress raises some concerns, it is important to understand the many innovations that the digital economy has brought about. In particular, many worry about the millions of passive and relatively powerless digital consumers who, without proper education or awareness, could find themselves manipulated by a few huge and influential companies. This paper will discuss the current state of affairs without fueling any further fear of the digital revolution by rejecting the premise that regulation can be used only as a shield to protect fragile digital consumers. Rather, by taking inspiration from some recent regulations enacted in the European Union, the paper posits that regulation can be used as a sword in the hands of consumers that grants them a leading role in the digital marketplace. It is important to consider how new rules might empower consumers and allow them to make decisions regarding the management of their personal data. After all, one of the cultural roots of Western societies is that every individual should be faber ipsius fortunae, i.e. individuals must forge and build their own destiny and must then be accountable for their choices.

MASK (Mobile Airways Sentinel networK) in Turkey-the ARIA integrated mobile solution for allergic rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity

mHealth, such as apps running on consumer smart devices is becoming increasingly popular and has the potential to profoundly affect healthcare and health outcomes. Allergic Rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA) has evolved from a guideline using the best evidence-based approach to care pathways suited to real-life using mobile technology in allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma multimorbidity MASK-rhinitis (Mobile Airways Sentinel networK), the Phase 3 ARIA initiative, is based on the freely available app. The Allergy Diary is used by people who were informed by physicians, searched the internet, Apple App Store, Google Play. Turkish Validation has been available and currently in use.

Towards pulse rate parametrization during free-living activities using smart wristband

Objective: The growing interest to integrate consumer smart wristbands in eHealth applications spawns the need for novel approaches of data parametrization which account for the technology-specific constraints. The present study aims to investigate the feasibility of a consumer smart wristband to be used for computing pulse rate parameters during free-living activities. Approach: The feasibility of computing pulse rate variability (PRV) as well as pulse rate and physical activity-related parameters using the smart wristband was investigated, having an electrocardiogram as a reference. The parameters were studied on the pulse rate and step data from 54 participants, diagnosed with various cardiovascular diseases. The data were acquired during free-living activities with no user lifestyle intervention. Main results: The comparison results show that the smart wristband is well-suited for computing the mean interbeat interval and the standard deviation of the averaged interbeat intervals. However, it is less reliable when estimating frequency domain and nonlinear parameters. Heart recovery time, estimated by fitting an exponential model to the events, satisfying the conditions of the 3 min step test, showed satisfactory agreement (relative error <20%) with the reference ECG in one-third of all cases. On the other hand, the heart’s adaptation to physical workload, expressed as the slope of the linear regression curve, was underestimated in most cases. Significance: The present study demonstrates that pulse rate parametrization using a consumer smart wristband is in principle feasible. The results show that the smart wristband is well suited for computing basic PRV parameters which have been reported to be associated with poorer health outcomes. In addition, the study introduces a methodology for the estimation of post-exercise heart recovery time and the heart’s adaptation to physical workload during free-living activities.

Design and Implementation of smart consumer access using Node MCU

Design and Implementation of smart consumer access using Node MCU

Load forecasting for diurnal management of community battery systems

This paper compares three methods of load forecasting for the optimum management of community battery storages. These are distributed within the low voltage (LV) distribution network for voltage management, energy arbitrage or peak load reduction. The methods compared include: a neural network (NN) based prediction scheme that utilizes the load history and the current metrological conditions; a wavelet neural network (WNN) model which aims to separate the low and high frequency components of the consumer load and an artificial neural network and fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) approach. The batteries have limited capacity and have a significant operational cost. The load forecasts are used within a receding horizon optimization system that determines the state of charge (SOC) profile for a battery that minimizes a cost function based on energy supply and battery wear costs. Within the optimization system, the SOC daily profile is represented by a compact vector of Fourier series coefficients. The study is based upon data recorded within the Perth Solar City high penetration photovoltaic (PV) field trials. The trial studied 77 consumers with 29 rooftop solar systems that were connected in one LV network. Data were available from consumer smart meters and a data logger connected to the LV network supply transformer.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND MICROGRIDS

The purpose of study Smart Grid is the evolutions of our electric grid.Our electric components are developing day by day. The purpose of research on Microgrid systems are the integration of renewable energy sources (RES),Enhanced reliability, Reduce peak demand, Smarter consumers, Lower total energy consumption, which outlines power systems interconnection differentVitalityera components (supplyside)with vitality utilization components (request side) and capacity gadgets problem. The integration of RESs and ESSs in a microgrid is studied and analyzed by several authors for different purposes.Create and apply regular cost and advantages technique over all Smart Grid field ventures.&#x0D; The method employs including underlying algorithms and assumptions.Ensure that this methodology can easily accommodate algorithms and assumptions .Develop business case for investors, regulators and customers.&#x0D; This project has some limitations like it takes more time to configure all over the worlds, so expensive for the consumers. The objective is to keep end-user with more reliable and increased power availability and hence keeping higher priority load connected.&#x0D; This study never been done before. This study also was provided current information about smart grid and electric vehicles.

‘Smarter Information, Smarter Consumers’? Insights into the Housing Market

This study explores how information helps housing consumers make informed decisions and discusses potential market outcomes. We analyse the interaction between the disclosure of information on property conditions and the disparity between home sellers’ willingness to accept (WTA) and home buyers’ willingness to pay (WTP). Three hypotheses are derived and validated through field experimental investigation within the property market. We find that the WTA–WTP disparity exists. The discussed policy instrument for information disclosure appears to function as expected. The WTA–WTP disparity is considerably reduced after information disclosure, and market liquidity and efficiency are improved. This study is an important complement to prior research on how information changes the behaviour of consumers in housing markets. Findings can inform the central government about the wide use of smart disclosure in the near future, as well as the scope, format and structure of information to be supplied to general housing consumers.

Kinect Sensor Gesture and Activity Recognition: New Applications for Consumer Cognitive Systems

Cognitive consumer electronics (CE), the fastest-growing sector worldwide that is driven by machine intelligence and cognitive systems, is triggered and enabled by audio- and video-capturing devices, smart sensors, health- and fitness-monitoring devices, security and education electronics, and intelligent systems. Smart consumer sensors and cognitive systems are synergized through the Internet of Things (IoT) for optimal information sharing, communication, real-time updates, data analytics, and enhanced support for decision making. Biometric-based devices, originally intended for large-scale applications in airports, border controls, disaster zones, or refugee migration zones, are enabling a wide range of applications in commercial and consumer sectors as standalone systems or with interconnected sensor networks. This article introduces the applications of Microsoft Kinect in cognitive systems for smart CE, and, using Kinect sensors, a human-behavior cognition technology is presented for gesture and activity recognition. As a novel front end of pervasive cognitive systems, the challenges and applications of a Kinect sensor-based system will be explored in CE, such as smart automobiles, health care, surveillance, and activity recognition.

Pupil response to quality and content transitions in videos

Real-time human eye recognition and tracking systems with human-computer interaction mechanism are being adopted to advance user experience in smart devices and consumer electronic systems. Eye tracking systems measure eye gaze and pupil response non-intrusively. This paper presents an analysis of pupil response to video structure and content. A consumer device that can assess user response to a video can provide better experiences with approaches such as real-time content adaptation. The first set of experiments involved presenting different video content to subjects and measuring eye response with an eye tracker. Results show that pupil constrictions and magnitude of constrictions vary with content. Significant changes in video and scene cuts led to sharp constrictions. User response to videos can provide insights that can improve subjective quality assessment metrics. This paper also presents an analysis of the pupillary response to quality changes in videos with the second set of experiments. The results of the tests show pupil constrictions for noticeable changes in perceived quality. Using real-time eye tracking systems for video analysis and quality evaluation can open a new class of applications for consumer electronic systems.

IoT 기반의 가전 개별 전원제어 스마트 스위치 및 스마트 컨슈머 서비스 개발

IoT 기반의 가전 개별 전원제어 스마트 스위치 및 스마트 컨슈머 서비스 개발

Effect of Consumer Awareness of Education Material, Source of Information, and Value of Materialism on Behavior as A Smart Adolescent Consumer

&lt;p&gt;This study aims to analyze the effect of consumer awareness about education material, source of information, and value of materialism toward behavior as smart consumer on junior high school student in urban and rural areas of Bogor. Samples in this study are 9&lt;sup&gt;th &lt;/sup&gt;grade junior high school students as much as 125 students that consisting of 62 students in urban and 63 students in rural areas. The sampling technique is cluster random sampling with the consideration that students have obtained consumer education materials on social sciences and Indonesian language for grade 7 to grade 9. Data were collected by self-administered technique using questionnaires. The results showed that there are differences in consumer awareness about education material, source of information, and objective knowledge of students in urban and rural areas. Gender and source of information affect the behavior as smart consumer on junior high school students.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

Enterprise Energy Analytic Cloud Metering Portal for On-Demand Service Provisoning

Background/Objectives: The absence of cloud based deterministic energy consumption update information usually discourages electricity consumers from satisfying their obligations to energy service providers. This work aims at achieving cloud based demand side management on consumer smart meters. Methods/Analysis: Disruptive smart green energy management system (DSGEMS) is used to formulate new flexibilities in automated energy monitoring platform for both end-users and their utility vendors. Lean system approach involving software development life cycle framework is applied. Findings: The system created a pattern analytics that allows users to obtain exact consumption pattern daily, monthly and yearly, using a negligible cost reflective tariff of 0.17 as derived from a renewable metered micro-grid. Applications/Improvements: The proposed system contrasts with existing systems in terms of full ISO 14000 quality of service compliance metrics and on-demand/real time consumption profiling. To validate service provisioning in real time, metering simulation and cloud integration are employed. This solution provides real-time access to energy consumption information at the point of metering leveraging cloud driven internet. Keywords: Cloud Service Provisioning, Disruptive Technologies, Energy Analytics, Energy Management, Smart Metering

A Flight Guidance Display Format on Smart Glasses for Private Pilots

Abstract. Keeping the pilot eyes-out is important, especially in general aviation (GA), because pilots mostly fly under visual flight rules (VFR). In this study, a display format for smart glasses was developed. Besides the primary flight state information, a curved arrow shows the pilot when to turn and dynamically straightens when the turn should be terminated. The behavior of the display format was developed to guide the pilot in a VFR traffic pattern. A reduction of in flight technical error and missed signals in a secondary task demonstrated the potential of the display format in GA applications. Subjective workload did not significantly change. Results suggest that low-cost consumer smart glasses used in GA could have the potential to support pilots in the future.

Distributed Optimisation Algorithm for Demand Side Management in a Grid-Connected Smart Microgrid

The contributions of Distributed Energy Generation (DEG) and Distributed Energy Storage (DES) for Demand Side Management (DSM) purposes in a smart macrogrid or microgrid cannot be over-emphasised. However, standalone DEG and DES can lead to under-utilisation of energy generation by consumers and financial investments; in grid-connection mode, though, DEG and DES can offer arbitrage opportunities for consumers and utility provider(s). A grid-connected smart microgrid comprising heterogeneous (active and passive) smart consumers, electric vehicles and a large-scale centralised energy storage is considered in this paper. Efficient energy management by each smart entity is carried out by the proposed Microgrid Energy Management Distributed Optimisation Algorithm (MEM-DOA) installed distributively within the network according to consumer type. Each smart consumer optimises its energy consumption and trading for comfort (demand satisfaction) and profit. The proposed model was observed to yield better consumer satisfaction, higher financial savings, and reduced Peak-to-Average-Ratio (PAR) demand on the utility grid. Other associated benefits of the model include reduced investment on peaker plants, grid reliability and environmental benefits. The MEM-DOA also offered participating smart consumers energy and tariff incentives so that passive smart consumers do not benefit more than active smart consumers, as was the case with some previous energy management algorithms.

Pre-service mathematics student teachers’ conceptions of nominal and effective interest rates

The general public consumes financial products such as loans that are administered in the realm of nominal and effective interest rates. It is debatable if most consumers really understand how these rates function. This article explores the conceptions that student teachers have about nominal and effective interest rates. The APOS theory illuminates analysis of students’ levels of conception. Seventy second-year mathematics students’ responses to Grade 12 tasks on effective and nominal interest rates were analysed, after which 12 students were interviewed about their mathematical thinking in solving the tasks. The findings varied. While some students could not do the tasks due to erratic use of formulae (algebra), I ascertained that some students obtained correct answers through scrupulous adherence to the external prompt of formulae. Most of those students remained stuck at the action and process stages and could not view their processes as mathematical objects. A few students had reached the object and schema stages, showing mature understanding of the relationship between nominal and effective interest rates. As most students remained at the operational stages rather than the structural, the findings accentuate that when teaching this topic, teachers ought to take their time to build learners’ schema for these notions. They need to guide their learners through the necessary action-process-object loop and refrain from introducing students to formulae too soon as this stalls their advancement to the object and schema stages which are useful in making them smart consumers of financial products.

Approach for smart meter load profiling in Monte Carlo simulation applications

Smart grids introduce new technological elements into power systems which take prevalent challenges to a new level by shaping parameters of power systems towards a complex regime of uncertainties. Rapid proliferation of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and integration of renewable energy sources in smart grids increase system-wide complexities. This study proposes an innovative approach to classify the energy consumptions of smart meter customers with typical profiles by processing with multi-layered clustering of energy consumption data of smart consumers extracted from the AMI. There are two stages for the approach of which the first stage analyses the data for intra-cluster similarity of energy consumption patterns and in case the patterns do not have a high intra-cluster similarity, they are fed back for re-clustering with multi-layered clustering process until the clearly identifiable energy patterns with high intra-cluster similarity is obtained. The second stage linearises the complex energy patterns using interpolant and curve fitting techniques until stabilised profiles are obtained. This study also proposes a methodology for smart meter load modelling for Monte Carlo (MC) simulation applications to reduce the computing time compared with traditional alternatives. This study validates the robustness of the approach and provides the corroboration of the method for MC simulation applications in a smart grid environment.

Deep Learning Can Be Crucial for Smart Consumer Electronics [Notes from the Editor

I would like to introduce the current issue with the announcement of a couple of items of good news. First, IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine is now indexed in DBLP. I think this will enhance this publication's visibility. In effect, it may attract a wider variety of authors from the computer science and computer engineering fields. Second, three members of the IEEE Consumer Electronics (CE) Society were recently awarded the title of IEEE Fellow. The three members and their contributions to CE are as follows: Petronel Bigioi for leadership in advancing digital-imaging technology for handheld consumer devices Michael Isnardi for contributions to compliance testing and vision-based video-compression technologies Shaomin Peng for contributions to scalable video-decoding methods in the MPEG2 standard. Please join me in congratulating them for their noteworthy honor and achievements.

The Development of Electricity Grid, Smart Grid and Renewable Energy in Taiwan

The grid has played a vital role in the evolution of the electricity market; from traditional to smart grids; from fossil fuel power generated electricity grid connections to the integration of other renewable energy forms such as solar and wind power; the grid has played a key role in each step in Taiwan’s move towards energy transition. This study includes Taiwan’s construction of its transmission and distribution network, the recently passed newly revised version of the Electricity Act with its revisions to its transmission and distribution related content, and policies promoting the smart grid as well as issues that the renewable energy grid has raised in both the technical and legal aspects. Taiwan’s electricity supply system is made up of the northern, central and southern systems. The Transmission and distribution grid have been defined as a common carrier, maintaining state-owned monopoly. The smart grid has 6 main facets to promote, including smart generation and dispatch, smart transmission, smart consumers, smart grid electricity grid industry and the establishment of a smart grid environment. Due to the possible effects of the integration of renewable energy generated electricity, there is a vital need for the regulation of the grid’s management and skills.