Technology

Connected Home Technology Still Limited to Early Adopters

Paul Ausick

Published: March 6, 2017 1:55 pm

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 2:13 pm

Only about one in 10 respondents to a Gartner survey are currently using connected home technology. Home security alarm systems have nearly doubled (18%) the adoption rate of newer technologies such as home monitoring (11%), home automation or energy management (9%), and health and wellness management (11%).

Gartner surveyed nearly 10,000 people in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Overall adoption rates were 5% to 6% greater in the United States.

Less than half of households that have adopted home monitoring or home automation/energy management solutions pay for such solutions. Consumers generally pay a subscription fee for home security alarm services.

Three-quarters of respondents indicated that they were satisfied to set temperature and lighting controls manually compared with just one-quarter who were interested in have devices that performed the services. More than half (58%) indicated a preference for separate, independent, stand-alone devices.

Amanda Sabia, a principal research analyst at Gartner, said:

Although households in the developed world are beginning to embrace connected home solutions, providers must push beyond early adopter use. If they are to successfully widen the appeal of the connected home, providers will need to identify what really motivates current users to inspire additional purchases.

Products such as Alexa-enabled devices from Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Google Home from Google/Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL) and HomeKit from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) that integrate all of a home’s connected devices are beginning to appear on consumers’ radar too. More than half of survey respondents (55%) preferred one app for integrating connected home devices and services and 58% indicated that it is important for hardware and services to be certified by specific brand.