Living in Interactive Future Environments
The McKechnie Family LIFE Home
Living in Interactive Future Environments
The McKechnie Family LIFE Home is a cutting-edge research center focused on innovations in home environments. This facility mimics existing home dwellings (i.e., a typical home of today) as well as provides space for the development of next-generation smart homes (i.e., house of tomorrow) that would allow people of all ages and abilities to live fuller, healthier, and autonomous lives. Spaces include a two-bedroom home; an attached garage; multi-purpose research and collaboration rooms; outdoor areas; and capacity for community engagement. Research and development efforts focus on a range of topics related to in-home activities to improve quality of life and independence for people of all ages and abilities.
Vision
We envision a world where we are Living in Interactive Future Environments (LIFE) and technology supports our quality of life at home.
Mission
The mission of the McKechnie Family LIFE Home is to provide the infrastructure to support interdisciplinary research, industry collaborations, community partnerships, and educational opportunities that will advance the science, engineering, and translation of innovations to support independent living, healthcare needs, social interaction, and everyday activities in the home.
In the News
McKechnie Family LIFE Home hosts a Fall Open House
On October 2nd, 2024, the McKechnie Family LIFE Home opened its doors for a fall open house, inviting visitors to experience firsthand the innovative research happening within the facility.
Warrior-Scholar Tour
The McKechnie Family LIFE Home had the honor of welcoming 20 Veterans from the Warrior-Scholar Project to our facility on July 25th, 2024.
Oakland STEM camp visits the McKechnie Family LIFE Home
The McKechnie Family LIFE Home was excited to host a group of middle school students from Oakland STEM camp for a tour on June 18th, 2024.
McKechnie Family LIFE Home was Featured on the Big Ten Network!
Testimonials
Jim McKechnie
Donor
Karen McKechnie
Donor
Jean Driscoll
Assistant Dean for Advancement in the College of Applied Health Sciences
John Coleman
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign