KIRKLAND, WA: Nearly half (46%) of consumers in the US, UK and Germany believe smart home devices will be mainstream within just five years, a new survey has shown.
Another two-thirds (66%) think these devices will be mainstream within a decade while 6% say the era of the smart home has arrived already, according to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.
However, the trade association said much depends on whether brands can meet consumers' expectations about simplicity and cost-effectiveness while also allaying their concerns about data security.More than 4,000 consumers in these three technologically advanced countries took part in the study, which identified five key factors that would influence their purchase decisions.
Over half (54%) say smart home devices should be simple to use, 42% want them to be competitively priced, 42% insist their data must be kept secure, 41% believe devices should be easy to set up and, finally, 28% want them to connect easily and quickly with a smartphone, tablet or PC.
As for today's market, devices that consumers currently regard as most appealing are ones which allow them to control their home environment.
Close to half (45%) find smart heating and thermostats to be useful while smart lighting (34%) and smart security and monitoring devices (33%) are also favoured.
Saving money is another important consideration and the research found 66% of respondents believe that being able to control their heating or lighting remotely would help them save energy.
"This study confirms consumers are looking for smart home products that 'just work'," said Mark Powell, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG.
"It is evident demand for smart home devices is ramping up and consumers are keen to live in the scenarios conjured up by the Jetsons over 60 years ago.
"Smart home manufacturers need to deliver products that are simple, cost-effective and secure for this segment to become mainstream."
Another two-thirds (66%) think these devices will be mainstream within a decade while 6% say the era of the smart home has arrived already, according to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.
However, the trade association said much depends on whether brands can meet consumers' expectations about simplicity and cost-effectiveness while also allaying their concerns about data security.
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Over half (54%) say smart home devices should be simple to use, 42% want them to be competitively priced, 42% insist their data must be kept secure, 41% believe devices should be easy to set up and, finally, 28% want them to connect easily and quickly with a smartphone, tablet or PC.
As for today's market, devices that consumers currently regard as most appealing are ones which allow them to control their home environment.
Close to half (45%) find smart heating and thermostats to be useful while smart lighting (34%) and smart security and monitoring devices (33%) are also favoured.
Saving money is another important consideration and the research found 66% of respondents believe that being able to control their heating or lighting remotely would help them save energy.
"This study confirms consumers are looking for smart home products that 'just work'," said Mark Powell, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG.
"It is evident demand for smart home devices is ramping up and consumers are keen to live in the scenarios conjured up by the Jetsons over 60 years ago.
"Smart home manufacturers need to deliver products that are simple, cost-effective and secure for this segment to become mainstream."
Data sourced from Bluetooth Special Interest Group; additional content by Warc staff
