Retail Observer

OCTOBER 2019 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 33 supported by simple, effective smart home solutions. Perhaps unsurprisingly, younger survey participants prove to be the most affected by these menial tasks, with 78% of 20-40 year olds bothered by simple, routine household chores. While there is an increasing availability of effective solutions to support these day-to-day tasks, 71% of those surveyed do not yet have a connected product at home. However, research shows 37% plan to buy a smart home product within the next 12 months, and those who already have a smart home product are much more likely (68%) to purchase another. This suggests that consumers who have experienced a smart home product are more aware of the value and benefits. MOVING INTO THE MAINSTREAM Europeans feel good about a smart home, with 63% of study participants positive toward living in a connected home that supports them in their daily life. In Italy and Spain, this figure rises to over 80% . While research shows that positive senti- ment and demand for household support is there, many Europeans are still not aware of the value that smart home devices can deliver. The smart home is currently moving from early to mass adoption. To make that move, industry leaders must ensure that devices are accessible, affordable, and easy to use. Smart speakers, like Amazon Echo and Google Home, have accelerated smart home adoption, thanks in large part to their simple setup, attractive price points, and easy daily routine integrations. In fact, 28% of Europeans surveyed prefer to interact with their smart home devices via voice; 40% would rather use an app to control their smart home products, and 32% of people use voice control in combination with an app. SETTING UP A SUPPORTIVE HOME The smart home can support people in a number of ways, by making their homes safer, more comfortable, more energy efficient and increasingly cost effective. Intelligent robot vacuums clean the floor while you're away from home. People with limited mobility and/or health issues can use voice control so they don't have to walk into every room to switch off the lights or answer the door. Video doorbells, smart locks and security cameras connected to a smartphone offer improved safety and peace of mind. In these times of climate change, saving energy has become a critical issue that the smart home can help solve. Connected thermostats and lights help residents reduce energy consumption and save money. How can smart home companies work better together to support customers and close the awareness gap? Have smart home companies done enough to educate people on the benefits of their solutions? These questions were among those discussed in Berlin yesterday by a panel of companies leading the smart home industry. SMART HOME LEAGUE QUOTES: Jonathan Tang, Vice President, Head of Global Business at Ecovacs "Home service robotics will become the gateway to the IoT in the future. The mobility of home service robotics is particularly good at understanding different scenarios and even at helping other IoT products provide better scenario-based services." Philips Hue - George Yianni, Head of Technology at Philips Hue "The smart home needs to be open and simple to fit consumers' needs. That's why we've always focused on our open system, and on working with as many partners as possible. With our new Philips Hue Bluetooth products we make entry into the smart home even easier, to inspire more people to take advantage of the benefits." Dave Ward, European Product Director at Ring "People want a smart home that offers them a positive experience with products and services that help make their everyday lives more convenient, efficient and safe. They want to see a true benefit, something that solves an issue rather than just adding technology to their home." Toon Bouten, CEO at tado° "The Smart Home League stands for a supportive home. We want to demonstrate how technology can help make people's lives easier with solutions that integrate seamlessly into every lifestyle while encouraging a more sustainable world." Kate Clark, Managing Director of Yale EMEA "We recognize our consumers' need for smart home security products that allow them to connect and control their homes from anywhere, anytime. To this end, we work closely with our trusted partners Philips Hue, Amazon and Google Assistant to ensure a seamless integration and ultimately an enhanced security experience." * Based on a study conducted by Dynata with 6,000 Europeans (1,000 each from: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands) in August 2019. ** Smart TVs not included: smart home product adoption stands at 11%, smart speaker adoption at 18%. RO

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