A new home which can learn and adapt to its residents - even texting them if it is being burgled - is to be unveiled.

Interhome, developed by researchers at the University of Hertfordshire, will be unveiled at the finals of the Microsoft Imagine Cup, which are being held in Cairo until Tuesday.

The prototype of the home has been developed in a doll's house but is ready to be presented to industry, the university said.

The house draws on standard home automation systems that have been adapted so it can learn and adapt to its users' lifestyles.

Interhome uses an intuitive touch screen control panel that allows the house to be monitored and controlled using web browsers, Windows Mobile and any SMS-capable mobile phone.

It would be able to take action or text residents if the house is being burgled or if the door is left unlocked.

The system will also help homeowners reduce energy, bringing savings of up to £300 a year, and cutting CO2 emissions.

Johann Siau, senior lecturer at the university's School of Electronic, Communication & Electrical Engineering, said: "InterHome improves on its competitors by being modular, adaptable and able to 'learn' our routines.

"The technology enables the system to learn rapidly when we need the lights on or whether we are at home or at work and how the house needs to be at certain times of the day.

"If we forget to lock the front door or turn off the lights, it can text us and our response can reprogramme the system."