New Research Examines Smart Home Adoption Drivers and Outlook for a Connected Future

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from connected home technology leader iControl Networks demonstrates the importance of security to smart home adoption, with more than two-thirds of consumers (67%) ranking personal and family security as the number one reason for using a smart home system, and 100% of consumers responding that security is a must-have in a home automation system.

The 2014 State of the Smart Home Report is based on data collected by a third-party research firm from more than 900 U.S. adults. Additional findings include:

Top Smart Home Features: People, Pets, and Property

• 18% of people would be more likely to leave their kids at home unsupervised at a younger age if they had live video feed and could automate home functions
• 52% of pet owners listed pet monitoring as one of the top five most important reasons for using a smart home service
• 29% mentioned entertainment and the ability to remotely control and/or automate home entertainment systems in the top five most important features of a smart home
• 78% of consumers ranked energy management as one of the top features that matter most in the smart home
• 86% ranked property loss protection as a top reason for a smart home system
• 51% of Americans would pay up to $500 more for a fully-equipped smart home, and one-third (32%) would pay between $500 and $3,000

What's Next? The Connected Future

• 56% agree that the 'Internet of Things' will become a reality within five years
• 20% of respondents report the things in their lives are already connected to the Internet
• 63% believe they will be able to control appliances via text message within five years
• 53% predict a single remote will control everything in their home within ten years

"Research like this – that goes beyond data about the growing number of connected devices coming to market – helps us really understand consumers' smart home preferences and expectations for the future," said Greg Roberts, vice president of marketing for iControl Networks. "It's an exciting time in the industry, and it's also an opportune time for companies like us that are bringing connected solutions to market. We must innovate to bring interoperability among devices and apps to give people the connected life experience they want."

Roberts will deliver the closing keynote presentation at CONNECTIONS™: The Premier Connected Home Conference on Wednesday, May 14, at 5:00 p.m PDT. The keynote, entitled "The Internet of Toothbrushes? A Look at the Connected Home Market," will offer insights and provide perspective on the industry.

Data for this report was collected in December 2013 through a quantitative survey of 932 respondents fielded to an even split between male and female respondents, all age 25 or older. Additional data was collected in April 2014 using a Google Consumer Survey sampling 1,000 U.S. adults, weighted to the most recent Current Population Survey to ensure a representative sample of U.S. adults.

To download the full 2014 State of the Smart Home report, visit  http://www.icontrol.com/docs/pdf/2014_State_of_the_Smart_Home_-_Final.pdf

About iControl Networks
iControl Networks' vision is to provide a connected home solution for every household, so people worldwide spend less time managing their lives and more time living them. iControl is making the connected home a reality through its software platforms, which are deployed by home security companies and service providers, and the all-in-one Piper Home Awareness device for consumers. iControl is further pioneering the next generation of connected living through its OpenHome™ Partner Program, the first community for application and device makers to partner on a common platform. Venture investors in iControl include Charles River Ventures, the Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers iFund, and Intel Capital, with strategic investments from a variety of service providers including ADT, Comcast Ventures, Comporium and Rogers Communications. For more information about iControl Networks and Piper, visit www.icontrol.com and www.getpiper.com.

SOURCE iControl Networks