At Setlementtiasunnot, artificial intelligence is a normal part of residents’ daily lives. At its best, digitalization enhances community, ecological sustainability, and living comfort.
How does digitalization align with work that involves people? Very well, at least according to Setlementtiasunnot’s CEO Heli Kotilainen.
At Setlementtiasunnot, the goal is smart, social living. According to Kotilainen, digitalization increases the ecological sustainability of living and the safety of residents. In the future, AI could, for example, provide additional information about one’s health status.
“The application might notify you that it’s time to see a doctor. I believe that even as AI increases, human interaction will remain,” Kotilainen envisions.
Setlementtiasunnot’s operations are based on participation, ecological sustainability, and, of course, housing.
Digitalization supports all these goals. That is why Setlementtiasunnot has boldly adopted electronic services.
When smart lights are installed at home, they adapt to the resident’s circadian rhythm, thereby saving electricity. The Smart Water service, which immediately notifies of water leaks, saves water and money.
Home in Your Pocket
An example of successful digitalization can be found in Kalasatama. When a resident wants to rent a shared space, it only requires a PIN code ordered through an application. The smart lock opens with a unique code, and the space is immediately ready for use.
In Kalasatama, solutions have also been developed for parking problems. The parking garage offers both long-term and short-term parking spaces. This allows even those who come to work in Kalasatama to park their cars in a place that is usually not accessible to anyone other than residents.
Additionally, there is a block-level gym available for booking by all residents of the block.
“We want to offer services not only within our own buildings but also to the entire neighborhood,” says Development Manager Sanna Uotila from Setlementtiasunnot.
Oh, and the resident application. With the Kerro application, you can, for example, send messages to Setlementtiasunnot, book shared facilities, and read announcements. The application was created because the people at Setlementtiasunnot want to know residents’ wishes. Kerro is like a home in your pocket.
“We want to hear what residents want and need,” Uotila states.
Previously, booking a laundry room might have involved remembering it in the grocery store checkout line, then carrying groceries home and walking to the laundry room. With the Kerro application, you can book the laundry room as soon as the thought crosses your mind, whether you’re in a checkout line or on vacation.
Kerro is in use in all Setlementtiasunnot properties across Finland. In addition to the application, the service also includes digital info screens found in every building. The service is constantly being developed, and features are now being planned to better accommodate older people.
At its best, digitalization complements other services. It does not replace face-to-face interaction. Pen and paper are still perfectly fine.
“Digitalization is needed to make services interesting and useful for users,” Sanna Uotila summarizes.
