For consumers to buy into gadgets that can
automate, monitor or control devices in their home, the price better be right.
And it even may take some additional persuading of those who already are interested before they make an actual
purchase, based on a new study.
There are certain attributes consumers are looking for, with reliability leading the list, according to a survey of 1,500 U.S. consumers by International Data
Corporation (IDC).
As more devices that can turn lights on and off, control thermostats and provide real-time security monitoring come to market, consumers will be faced with a growing number
of choices. Of those already pre-disposed to home automation products, here, in order, are the attributes they’re looking for before jumping in:
- Reliability
- Cost of
equipment
- Cost of ongoing use
- Cost of installation
- Overall value
- Ease of use
- Security or privacy concerns
- Overall experience
- Ease
of installation
- Need more information
- Better interoperability of multiple devices
- More uses for home control
Having a home network also seems to influence
some behavior. For example, 28% of consumers who own a home network stream online videos to their TVs and they are much more likely to express high interest in and adoption of home IoT applications
compared to those without a network.
There also are consumers who have no current interest in connected home devices. Of those who had a relatively low desire to acquire any home automation
applications, this is why:
- 46% -- Too expensive
- 40% -- Have no use for them
- 30% -- Don’t see the value in them
- 18% --Too complicated
- 12% --
Doubt they will live up to the promise
- 11% -- Don’t know enough about them
Whether a consumer is on the fence or holding back on home automation devices, the cost of
devices is at the top of both lists.
This would be the time for some serious marketing of the value proposition.