Emotion-Intelligent VR-Simulated Framework in Influencing Smart Home Purchase Intentions

The future of smart city relies on technology that integrates information and communication through the foundation of rapidly growing capabilities of “Internet of Things (IoT)”. With the advancement of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, it has emerged to become one of the most promising technology for application in various fields including architectural design, construction and property development. As VR technologies become more accessible to the consumer markets, this study is directing the potential of integrating VR technology as an interface that allows end-user’s interactions and experience the future home design, not only focuses on the visual aesthetics, physical preferences and spatial needs, but also considers the emotional well-being of future occupants. A smart city needs to be emotionally-intelligent and requires a strategy aimed at producing a humanised environment tuned to emotional needs of occupants. Drawing on the widely accepted S–O-R framework, the study is currently developing a model to illustrate the inter-relationships between a VR-simulated home environment system with emotional reaction and behavioural response of potential Smart Home buyers. The proposed framework is expected to lead towards an improved practical approach in Smart Home design while facilitating marketing for developers for future Smart Home projects in smart city development.