Remote Control Smart Home Technology Isn’t Sufficient Says New Report

Apparently, for smart home technology to be more widely accepted it needs to provide more benefits than just being connected. Consumers expect to obtain far more value than just gaining remote access to their home as they want usable data that will benefit their lifestyle.

A recent report from the User Experience Strategies (UXS) service at Strategy Analytics “UXS Technology Planning Report: Smart Home Environment” has investigated the needs, behaviors, and expectations of potential smart home users. It discovered that people want proactive systems and devices rather than technology that is merely reactive. They want tasks automatically completed for them based on the information collected by that device.

The report summarized that home solutions are still remaining stagnant during this early adopter phase because they have yet to provide compelling use studies that show smart home technology addresses issues and fulfills the needs of users within the home. The report highlights the fact that education and awareness of how a connected lifestyle could help improve a consumer’s life are essential to increase adoption of smart home devices.

Chris Schreiner, Director of Syndicated Research, UXIP is quoted as saying in the press release “Remote control of the home environment is limited. Users are currently required to react to and interpret information provided by their smart devices – there is no allowance for the devices to be used to their full potential. Providing features such as contextual awareness and artificial intelligence (AI) will make smart devices more proactive. Furthermore, utilizing natural forms of human-machine interface (HMI) like voice, sensors or presence, will also provide more use cases.”

Kevin Nolan, VP UXIP went on to say “Adequate intelligence needs to be added to smart home devices and appliances, whether existing or new. Providing seamless methods of control that work with all smart home devices owned will also ensure the longevity and extensibility of any smart home ecosystem.”