connected appliances
'Connectivity is coming in every home appliance category'
A major industry topic, connectivity is set to continue its growth in the modern home. IER spoke to manufacturers about the trends in the market
I
t is hard to avoid hearing about the connected home and connected appliances at the moment. But has the chatter filtered through to consumer level yet? “It is still very early days for the connected
technology sector, with sales figures in their infancy, but accelerating fast,” says Whirlpool senior brand manager Jennifer Spragg. “The smart home is on everyone’s lips this year, and more manufacturers are bringing out connected products to enable consumers to invest in technology that will make their lives easier in and around the home. Now is a good time for the retailer to get on board, honing their knowledge and skills, while introducing and engaging their audience with the new technology now available.” She continues: “At a presentation at CES, GfK
reported that one in four consumers they asked in a global survey have a smart TV, but only 6% currently own a smart washing machine or refrigerator. These figures are unsurprising, given the cost of the emerging technology, but the numbers are undoubtedly going to be experiencing steady growth as more and more consumers switch on to the benefits of smart technology in home appliances. “Connectivity is now making its way into
every home appliance category sector, from washing machines, to refrigeration, and even coffee machines. The growth is not limited to any one product sector, but each manufacturer is taking a different first step into the field. Whirlpool began their journey with laundry and has now launched a smart refrigerator, with a smart hob and connected dishwasher following soon.” It makes sense that more products are
entering the market when consumers have created a base of smart technology in their daily lives. “Technology is already changing the
kitchen with people using tablets or smartphones to help when preparing food, and there is more of this to come,” explains Electrolux design director Thomas Johansson. “The Internet of Things and the connected home is now becoming an important micro-trend and a game changer in the kitchen appliance business.”
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www.innovativeelectricalretailing.co.uk Connected technologies are also offering
more useful benefits. “Smart technology has become increasingly relevant throughout the home and offers a multitude of useful functions and benefits to consumers to enhance their day-to-day lives,” reckons LG Electronics UK head of brand Dawn Stockell. “Decisions to develop smart products are always led by consumer demand and LG has recognised consumer demand for features that provide efficiency. With people living increasingly busy lives, smart features can assist in helping to cut the time spent on household chores. The market has seen developments in smart appliances, and we predict this will continue into the future with further connectivity between appliances and mobile devices.”
Consumer appeal There are various reasons consumers are becoming more attracted to connected appliances and the smart home. “GfK reported that what appeals to the consumer most about the ‘smart home’ is saving time and money, as well as gaining more control, and enjoying peace of mind through enhanced safety and security,” Jennifer comments.
Thomas adds: “We are heading fast towards the connected home where we will start to see electricity savings, remote monitoring of functions and appliances, control of media, house surveillance and smart shopping. This opens up possibilities for smart products, systems and solutions. “People want to make their own ideas happen, create new content and share these experiences spontaneously with family and friends. Therefore, we predict that the internet, cloud and social networks will change the way people communicate and use technology; allowing them to access images, videos and information anywhere and at any time.”
Allowing consumers to make informed choices about their energy and time usage is also a growing consideration. “One of the main opportunities in the smart
technology market is around efficiency and convenience; consumers are more conscious than ever about products that save them time to make their lives easier,” Dawn explains. “Near Field Communication (NFC)
technology on LG laundry products allows individuals to download new programs for their washing machines, such as Wool, Baby
Products such as AEG’s ProCombi Plus oven allow users to check on the progress of their meals from their smartphone or tablet, as well as controlling temperatures and pre-heating appliances
July/August 2016
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