Home Smart home device adoption sees “big uptick” according to new study

Smart home device adoption sees “big uptick” according to new study

Smart home device installations seen a “big uptick” in 2016, with refrigerators, washers, and smoke detectors seeing year-on-year growth of over 250 percent.

That’s according to a new study published by PlumChoice, an Internet of Things (IoT) technical service provider and Z-Wave Alliance, a consortium of companies deploying Z-Wave technologies, called 2016: Year of the Smart Device.

See Also: Amazon makes it even cheaper for Alexa developers to use AWS

A consumer survey published in the report said 52 percent of respondents plan to buy a smart home device in the next two years. Out of those that already own a smart device, 84 percent may purchase another.

For consumers that own more than four smart home devices, interoperability becomes a key factor when purchasing a device. Even on the consumer side, the lack of standardization makes it hard for non-tech savvy people to confidently purchase smart home devices.

Expectations have been rising for a year

Expectations for services and support rose in 2016, as consumers demand more from device manufacturers. It comes after a few high-profile device manufacturers have ended support for devices early.

“The smart home industry is thriving, and many companies are recognizing that their success is dependent on a seamless consumer user experience,” said Noelani McGadden, vice president of IoT at PlumChoice. “Last year was a pivotal year for the smart home industry, with the number of people who own a smart device increasing by a staggering 259 percent. As smart home device adoption continues to grow, brands must cater to consumers who are expecting support services as part of their purchase, and at the very least provide installation support.”

The amount of people across the U.S. who are trying to make their house “smart” is still low, but it is growing, as the report shows. To make smart home devices as ubiquitous as the mobile phone, however, manufacturers, developers, and system providers must settle on a standard and promote good corporate behavior, to avoid early distrust.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.