  We present a qualitative study of 20 American Orthodox Jewish families' use
of home automation for religious purposes. These lead users offer insight into
real-life, long-term experience with home automation technologies. We discuss
how automation was seen by participants to contribute to spiritual experience
and how participants oriented to the use of automation as a religious custom.
We also discuss the relationship of home automation to family life. We draw
design implications for the broader population, including surrender of control
as a design resource, home technologies that support long-term goals and
lifestyle choices, and respite from technology.
