The Future of Home Automation

Introduction

This report examines how consumers and governments are creating a booming market for “smart home” devices. It analyzes the companies, technologies, and products behind automation in energy, entertainment, home security and health care. It details pilot projects, product costs, industry trends, business alliances, and the new and emerging technologies that are shaping the future of the market.

Features and benefits

• Understand the trends driving uptake of home automation technology, from the perspectives of both consumer demand and government policies.
• Analyze developments in the smart energy, metering, and appliances markets.
• Analyze developments in smart home entertainment, security, and health appliances.
• Gain insight into the product offerings and strategies of key players in the home automation space.
• Assess the future market potential for home automation, make plans to deal with change, and develop successful marketing strategies.

Highlights

Home automation encompasses any device that gives a household automatic control of home functions. The systems most likely to be automated are: thermostats, home appliances, and heating and cooling; television, video and music systems; security alarms and monitoring systems; and home health care monitors, alarms and communication devices.

Energy suppliers that offer smart meters are finding they gain a competitive edge. When people know more about their home energy use, they change their behavior and incorporate energy efficiency. Smart meters are already in 85% of US homes, and GE expects smart meters to be in every US home by 2019.

Demographic changes and a growing shortage of healthcare providers are creating huge market opportunities in home health technologies. These can be classified into “passive” monitoring equipment and more “active” devices which supervised patients can use to take their own vital sign measurements.

Your key questions answered

• What is home automation, and what is really driving the market: green consumer trends or governmental policies?
• How has electric deregulation opened the way for home energy automation? How will smart energy homes really reduce energy use and costs?
• Who uses and makes smart products today? What are the key product offerings and strategies of key market players?
• Who stands to win and who stands to lose from future developments in the home automation market?
• How can different market players make the most of the opportunities presented by home automation, and what challenges do they face?