Issue link: https://te.mouser.com/i/1394660
70% 48% 47% 18% 13% 23% CONNECTED HOME /// GROWTH OF THE CONNECTED HOME Growth of the Connected Home The Home Platform Smart connectivity is just a starting point. Connectivity enables the sharing of information and the ability to monitor and control. As artificial intelligence matures and proliferates devices will leverage complicated analysis in the cloud to deliver actionable insights back to users and systems within the connected home. Automation will eventually make routine tasks or chores easier and perhaps invisible. As new value propositions are shaped, we expect to see simplification, increased efficiencies (saving both time and money), and a level of service beyond what can be delivered today. This will drive a virtuous cycle of increased demand for products which can be leveraged to improve data analysis. Understanding behavior and how to drive efficiencies is critical. These improved results will create a better experience for consumers who then demand more products—and the cycle continues. Adoption and Challenges Partnerships and touchpoints are critical as service providers, home security companies, retailers, consumer electronics and appliance OEMs bring a range of new hardware and services to market. The rapidly evolving role of mobile devices (tablets, smartphones, wearables) is adding another layer of complexity as management and control preferences are determined and new opportunities are created (such as in the healthcare monitoring space). While complexity continues to increase, the benefit will be unprecedented levels of functionality and service delivery. Adoption in this space has been slowed down by the challenges around ease of use, installation and control. Add various and competing communication standards, and the proliferation of networking protocols, and you have an ecosystem that is fragmented and competitive. It's truly ironic that despite increased connectivity, smart devices are not connecting with each other. Companies are beginning to offer points of collaboration. Samsung has long supported the developer community and specifically supports developers of connected home products via it's SmartThings platform. Even Apple is recognizing the importance of common technologies. For the first time at their Worldwide Developers Conference they announced two things which may help jump start smart home adoptions. First, they are releasing the Home app for iOS devices that will act as a central control point for HomeKit compatible smart home devices. Second, Apple opened up Siri to third-party developers, just as Amazon opened up its Alexa platform. This will allow app developers to have Siri act as their voice control. In addition to technology, standards, and security concerns, it's also important to evaluate the consumer adoption mindset. Early adopters are intrigued by new products and functionalities and start purchasing, testing, and sharing information. Mainstream adoption may be years away, seeing the challenges as roadblocks threatening their desire to purchase. Yet the fact remains that people are testing the waters. Research demonstrates different interest levels and expectations. We see adoption curves differ depending on the product focus, geography and pain points. In some countries, utility companies and government regulations are driving adoption. We think the benefits of automation, remote management and servicing, and other customer friendly features will lead appliance say they are excited about the potential cost savings from energy efficiency and monitoring Icontrol's State of the Smart Home identifies top benefits: Yet they also found other levels of interest: say they are excited about the potential convenience in programming home settings and maintenance say they are excited about the potential to help the environment with greater energy efficiency* want greater productivity and the ability to manage work-life balance look to anticipate one's needs site the ability to have more interactive features to help connect with the people in their lives *Source: Icontrol 2015 State of the Smart Home Report Gartner predicts that by 2022, a typical family home could contain more than 500 smart devices. PAGE 3