At the recently concluded IFA 2015 conference, the world was treated to a glimpse of what the future entails – homes equipped with Internet-connected devices that make life so much easier. From smart washing machines that recommend the right cycle, sensors that smarten dumb appliances, to bendable connected lights and more.

With a future like that, it’s no wonder the smart home market is expected to grow. According to ABI Research, 90 million homes will be using home automation products by 2017 and home automation revenue is expected to reach $34 billion by 2020.

Though the report shows promising numbers, home automation adoption is not yet in full swing thanks to some avoidable scenarios. Jeremy Warren, CTO of Vivint, Inc., believes there are ways to nudge consumers into the direction of connected homes.

What the home automation needs for mass adoption

Streamline products

According to Warren, one of the key drivers of home automation is making devices that are easy to use. developers and manufacturers of these connected home products should greatly consider the fact that consumers want something that is easy to use and does not require them to learn complex steps.

“A smart home should understand patterns of user behavior and provide intelligent notifications and suggestions, eliminating the need for homeowners to figure out new tools. Smart home products should provide you with options that require simple decisions,” Warren stated.

Minimize complexities

Another thing manufacturers need to address, according to Warren, is the issue of interoperability and simplifying the installation. These days, though there are numerous smart home devices, not all of them work seamlessly together or work together at all, plus consumers need to deal with wires or calling experts just so they can install their smart home device. These are just some factors that turn off consumers in adopting a smart home.

If this issue is addressed, consumers can have an easier time picking the connected home devices they want and not worry about whether or not it will work seamlessly with their current home automation solutions.

Simplify the path to purchase

Home automation devices can be purchased off the Internet, but sometimes, it’s hard to know whether a product is right for you just because a video says it’s easy to use and it will make your life much easier. Most consumers would want to see something work first hand, but that doesn’t mean they want the hassle of going to multiple retail locations. Consumers want things that are as easy to purchase as other items typically bought in brick-and-mortar locations. 

“It’s exciting to see the industry on the cusp of widespread adoption, but the real catalyst will be a simplification of the product and all aspects of the consumer experience,” Warren concluded.

Photo by Vodafone Germany Corporate Communications