EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN SMART HOMES IMPLEMENTATION (CASE STUDY: CITIES OF MAZANDARAN PROVINCE IN IRAN)

Abstract. The growing trend of IT technologies has continued at a faster pace in recent decades. The efforts of experts in this field have always been reducing the problems and challenges existing in urban communities and improving the quality of citizens' lives. They have concentrated on using the artificial intelligence and Internet of Things in a way which leads to maximize self-actualization of citizens. Among these technologies, IoT has played a significant role. Since it can improve the urban infrastructures, and also can be implemented in the scale of home facilities and equipment, can improve the quality of life in smart homes. However, it seems that the implementation of smart residential buildings in the context of smart cities is not simple as been defined in theory and may be accompanied by challenges. In this paper, an attempt has been made to evaluate the environmental factors affecting this field by SWOT analysis tool in a case study in cities of Mazandaran Province in Iran. As a result, strategy and tactics to emphasize strengths, to make the most of existing opportunities, to eliminate the weaknesses, and to reduce the risk of perceived threats, have been identified and been introduced. Based on the results, OS strategy should be held to obtain the most valuable goals of a smart city; since the points of opportunities and strengths are relatively more than others.