Revenue from shipments of home automation systems will exceed $11.8 billion in 2015, according to a new study released by ABI Research. That number includes all four categories of home automation: Luxury, Mainstream, DIY and Managed. The luxury segment will deliver the greatest revenue.
In addition to quantitative market measurement, ABI Research also sampled US consumers� attitudes with a September 2009 survey. Nearly half of the 1001 respondents did not know what �home automation� is. A further 43% understood the concept but had no system installed.
According to practice director Sam Lucero, �Our survey results show that a major challenge is simply lack of awareness on the part of mainstream consumers. Other issues for consumers were the expense, and a perceived lack of need for home automation.�
Nonetheless, Lucero believes that for several reasons the home automation market is approaching an inflection point beyond which its growth rate will increase significantly.
� Vendors are taking advantage of standards-based wireless and powerline technologies to drive down costs and expand the addressable market.
� Companies in related home systems markets are increasingly targeting home control and monitoring functionality in their devices.
� Home security service providers view home monitoring and managed home automation services as a means of accelerating growth.
� Telco and cable broadband service providers see managed home automation services as a way to increase revenue.
� Utilities can use home automation technologies to help homeowners reduce power usage.
How do these drivers mesh with consumers� intentions? An average of three quarters of the 39% of survey respondents who intend buy a home automation system within three years rated three functions as the ones they would expect to use most: energy management, home control, and security. Sam Lucero concludes, �The home automation market is clearly at an inflection point and poised for significant growth over the next few years.�
No comments:
Post a Comment