Understanding users’ and technology developers’ perspectives on smart home technologies

The integration of smart technologies in homes presents both opportunities and challenges, shaped by the differing perspectives of users (residents) and technology developers. This qualitative study examines how these groups prioritize smart home technologies, addressing the underexplored (mis)alignment between user expectations and technology developer practices. We combined two user workshops (Finland, Spain) with an open-ended survey of technology developers to identify convergences and divergences. Users highlighted energy efficiency, comfort, cost savings, sustainability, and often foregrounded privacy concerns when evaluating convenience. Technology developer respondents emphasized human-centered design, inclusivity, and cultural considerations, yet they reported constraints, financial, timelines, and material accessibility. Key divergences were found in privacy, affordability, and the social and economic dimensions of sustainability. This study offers (1) an exploratory comparison of resident priorities and developer-reported decision drivers; (2) insight into how technology developer respondents described project constraints shaping which user input could be implemented; and (3) actionable guidance for continuous feedback loops, data transparency, literacy interventions, tri-pillar sustainability checks, and reliability/support as design. These contributions offer a pathway for creating smart home technologies that are more trustworthy, equitable, and sustainable.