Consumers Want More from Connected Devices: Proactive is the new ‘Smart’, Says Strategy Analytics

Boston, MA – June 5, 201 7 – For smart home technology to be widely adopted it must provide more benefits than solely being connected . Consumers want more than just remote access to their home: they want data that they can act on and use to benefit their lifestyle. A recent report from the User Experience Strategies (UXS) service at Strategy Analytics “ UXS Technology Planning Report: Smart Home Environment ”, investigating the needs, behaviors and expectations of future smart home users, has found that consumers want proactive devices and systems , shifting the balance from being reactive , to tasks being automatically completed for them, based on the information provided.

“Remote control of the home environment is limited”, commented Chris Schreiner , Director of Syndicated Research, UXIP. “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.” Continued Schreiner, “Furthermore, utilizing natural forms of human machine interface (HMI) like voice, sensors or presence, will also provide more use cases.”

Kevin Nolan , VP UXIP added,

“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 extendibility of any smart home ecosystem”.