home automation

Smart home and home automation systems include a wide range of solutions for controlling, monitoring and automating functions in the home. Smart home systems can be grouped into seven primary categories: security and access control systems; energy management and climate control systems; audio-visual and entertainment systems; lighting and window control systems; healthcare and independent living systems; home appliances and service robotics.

If you have not considered getting a home automation kit then maybe now is the time to think about getting one.  You might not see what the craze is in sticking up gadgets around your home to monitor it, but there is a lot gain from having a reasonable priced home automation kit. Behind all the technology is the idea of having a connected home, one where all home appliances are able to communication with each other and you are able to communication with then at home or while you are away.  With a home automation kit, you can monitor your home and your microwave, refrigerator, home entertainment system and washing machine will allow you to communication with them from work on the road or from anywhere there is an internet connection.

I was a reading the summery of a recent report by NextMarket and Vivint, titled ‘The Mass Market Smart Home”.  In it, the authors are proposing that the connected home sector should create more use cases to drive adoption among the general public. Another report I read states that 70 per cent of connected home developers are enthusiasts.  As an analyst of the sector, I think these are worrying numbers; even more worrying for entrepreneur and the investors, who are investing so much into connected home solutions.

The Home Automation and Control market is expected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 11.36% over the next five years (2014 - 2020) and worth approximately $12.81 billion by 2020, According to a new market research report published by MarketsandMarket. North America is expected to remain the largest market over this period supported by the growth in the housing martket and consumers demands for convenience, connectivity, safety and security in their homes.

In the next six years the global home automation market is expected to worth over US$16 Billion, this is according to a report from Transparency Market Research.  Competition is growing between broadband service providers, telcos and utilities where different parties are offering packaged/bundled services. North America is expected to remain the most valued market, with safety and security as the preferred product followed by energy management.

After launching the “AT&T Digital Life” for service provider in February they have now announced trials of the product for this summer.  The AT&T Digital Life services will give users control and security of their homes and appliances using any web-enabled device, PCs, tablets and smartphones, regardless of wireless carrier.

After two years of development Embedded Automation has release a new version of its mControl application. The new mControl v3 is said to offer support for more devices, richer user interface, plus much more.  mControl v3 also supports other Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication standards that will allow solutions providers to develop solutions that interface with other systems in the home.

The predicted growth of the home automation market in India has tempted Hager India (subsidiary of the Hager Group) to retool and position itself as service and solutions provider to the home automation sector. According to business-standard.com the facility should be ready by the end of this year.  Its primarily focus will be on working with system integrators in providing solutions of lighting management of homes and commercial buildings.

Almost nine months after announcing plans to launch its own home automation solution, Rogers of Canada has finally announced the release of Smart Home Automation, a managed home solution.  According to Rogers the new solution brings home monitoring and automation to Canada’s home owners finger tip whether they are home or away. The move is part of Rogers’ strategy to move into new markets and create new revenue streams.

e-Home AUTOMATION, a member of Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai entrusted with promoting and advancing small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has gone past a major milestone by launching an innovative "smart homes" product range.

Dubai SME, in line with its mandate to promote entrepreneurship and development of world-class SME competencies, has supported e-Home AUTOMATION through its launch and subsequent growth into a leading automation solutions provider in the Middle East.