The smart home M2M market in Western Europe is expected to grow at a significant rate during the period 2014-2019. In terms of revenue, the overall market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 47.11% during the forecast period.
According to the WHO, life expectancy in the UK, France, Spain, and Germany is 81, 82, 82, and 81 years, respectively. The rise in aging population and chronic diseases is a key factor fueling the demand for smart home M2M solutions.
Below are three emerging smart home products that will satisfy the needs of Western Europe’s aging population:
Apple HomeKit
The Apple HomeKit is a framework in iOS 8 that aids in communicating with and controlling of devices in smart homes. The devices installed in smart homes can be controlled with the help of mobile devices such as iPads and iPhones through specific APIs.
In addition, devices can be configured as per the specific requirements of homeowners and can be controlled through Siri – Apple’s intelligent voice assistance feature. Siri enables homeowners to control the entire smart home automation in HomeKit through voice command. HomeKit provides privacy and security that prevent smart devices from being misused.
Apple is planning to forge a partnership with a number of smart device manufacturers such as iHome, Haier, Withings, Philips, iDevices, Belkin, Honeywell, and Kwikset. Some of the smart devices manufactured include MyQ Smart Garage by Chamberlain, Smart Sensors by Elgato, iSP5 SmartPlug by iHome, and Insteon Hub by Insteon.
HomeKit enables centralized control of devices in smart homes instead of using individual apps to control particular devices. It also provides the functionality of grouping that enables homeowners to control multiple devices and rooms at once.
Samsung Smart Home
Samsung is planning to acquire SmartThings, a fast-growing home automation start-up, for $200 million. The company is planning to introduce Samsung Smart Home wherein an app converts the end-user’s smartphone into a remote control to access smart home devices. It helps homeowners to connect smart devices with a single smartphone app and hardware hub. The various features of SmartApps can:
- Warn homeowners in case of an emergency such as gas leak
- Provide security through constant surveillance
- Control lighting
Google Nest
Google announced a new program called “Works with Nest” that provides a set of APIs for manufacturers to include in smart devices. This will help to link and remotely control smart devices. Nest is focusing on the centralized control of smart devices in homes. Currently, the product portfolio of Nest includes a thermostat and a smoke and carbon monoxide detector.
The company has announced new partnerships with companies such as LG, Withings, and Philips as part of the “Works with Nest” program that will enable the integration of a thermostat and a smoke detector to a number of devices such as fans, lights, doors, and washing machines. For example, unlocking a front door will enable the thermostat to adjust to the preferred temperature, turn on the lights, and switch over the clothes dryer to a quieter mode.
“Works with Nest” has been working with a handful of companies such as Jawbone, Logitech, and Dropcam and is already manufacturing products that are Nest-compatible.
