At Home with Automation

US based ABI research and Frost & Sullivan both predict a steady growth in home automation in mid-range homes. For many years home automation was available only to consumers in niche markets, but it has now achieved widespread appeal among mainstream consumers.

The growth is thought to spring from a number of trends, including better marketing by retailers and heightened awareness among homeowners and builders. New services like home monitoring via a service provider are also fuelling the upturn.

Consumers are becoming increasingly educated about Smart Wiring ? and home automation as retailers provide hands-on demonstrations of products in their stores. This ?high touch? retail environment provides the opportunity for consumers to ?try before they buy? and gain a better understanding of the full potential of networked products.
 
There is also a growing interest among builders in offering home automation technology as a standard option. These technologies are increasingly on show in model homes and are being made available as packages options.

Lastly, a number of US companies are starting to offer customers the ability ? through service providers such as ISPs, cable companies and mobile operators ? to monitor conditions in their homes remotely. Although home monitoring services are still in their infancy, ABI Research believes the service provider channel will quickly gain momentum.