Amber Case
FounderCalm Tech InstituteAmber Case is the founder of the Calm Tech Institute, the world’s first certification body for attention-aware technology. Her 81-point evaluation framework has been used to certify products from companies including Aura, Mudita, reMarkable, and mui Lab. She is the author of Calm Technology: Principles and Patterns for Non-Intrusive Design (O’Reilly) and has advised technology companies globally on human-centered design, including extensive work with Japanese automotive manufacturers on haptic and ambient interface systems.
Case has worked with Kohler, Bose, Sonos and more, and has given keynotes around the work at JPL, Microsoft, Meta, Google, Ericsson, and more. Case was previously a TED speaker and holds research fellowships from MIT Media Lab and Harvard Berkman Klein Center. She brings both academic rigor and deep industry experience to every session.
Calm Technology Principles in Practice
Client satisfaction surveys consistently show a gap between what people imagine a smart home will feel like and what they actually experience after … Client satisfaction surveys consistently show a gap between what people imagine a smart home will feel like and what they actually experience after installation. In this session, we'll introduce Calm Technology®, a leading design framework based ar… Client satisfaction surveys consistently show a gap between what people imagine a smart home will feel like and what they actually experience after installation. In this session, we'll introduce Calm Technology®, a leading design framework based around human attention, showing how its principles translate directly into better installations, fewer support calls, and more referrals. We'll present a working overview of the eight Principles of Calm… Client satisfaction surveys consistently show a gap between what people imagine a smart home will feel like and what they actually experience after installation. In this session, we'll introduce Calm Technology®, a leading design framework based around human attention, showing how its principles translate directly into better installations, fewer support calls, and more referrals. We'll present a working overview of the eight Principles of Calm Technology® with direct application to smart home integration: periphery vs. center of attention, ambient display, graceful degradation, and the role of analog fallback. Attendees will learn how to audit their system designs against eight Principles of Calm Technology®, how to present those choices to clients in language that builds confidence, and how to get the most out of analog fallback methods that work independently of any network, app, or hub. Real-world product examples will be drawn from Calm Tech Institute’s certified product library, and differentiates Calm Tech Certified™ for Spaces from others. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Attendees will leave this session able to: Identify where current designs create unnecessary friction or demand attention from the homeowner Use light, sound, and environmental feedback to convey system state without always requiring a screen or app Communicate Calm Tech Principles to clients during the discovery phase to better align expectations with outcomes Learn about opportunities for Calm Tech certification for products and installations to bring greater value and trust to consumers.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
Designing for Neurodiversity and Sensory Comfort
An estimated 15–20% of the global population is neurodivergent — including individuals with autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory proce… An estimated 15–20% of the global population is neurodivergent — including individuals with autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, and other neurological variations. For residential integrators, that translates t… An estimated 15–20% of the global population is neurodivergent — including individuals with autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, and other neurological variations. For residential integrators, that translates to a massive, underserved market hiding in plain sight: clients and family members who live in homes that were never designed with their brains in mind.The problem? Most smart home designs default to n… An estimated 15–20% of the global population is neurodivergent — including individuals with autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, and other neurological variations. For residential integrators, that translates to a massive, underserved market hiding in plain sight: clients and family members who live in homes that were never designed with their brains in mind.The problem? Most smart home designs default to neurotypical assumptions. Complex touchscreen interfaces with dozens of options. Automation routines that fire unpredictably. Lighting scenes that shift without warning. For neurodivergent residents, these “features” aren’t conveniences — they’re barriers. They create sensory overload, erode predictability, and undermine the sense of safety and control that a home should provide.This session equips integrators with practical, actionable strategies for designing neuroinclusive smart home environments. Attendees will learn how to specify sensory-friendly lighting with tunable white and flicker-free drivers, implement soundproofing and acoustic management for noise-sensitive residents, simplify user interfaces to reduce cognitive load, build routine-based automation sequences that prioritize reliability over novelty, and tailor environmental controls — HVAC, air purification, temperature zones — to individual sensory profiles.But this isn’t just about doing the right thing. It’s smart business. Neuroinclusive design principles benefit all residents — the same techniques that help a child with autism also create calmer, more intuitive homes for every occupant. Integrators who embrace this approach differentiate themselves from competitors, unlock new referral channels through healthcare providers and occupational therapists, and position themselves for growth in accessibility-focused markets including assisted living and therapeutic environments.This session bridges the gap between clinical understanding and technical implementation, giving integrators the vocabulary, frameworks, and confidence to consult with neurodivergent clients and their families — and to deliver homes that truly work for every brain.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
