A new report from Intellect, Connected Homes – a Reality, suggests that the British connected home market could be worth £3bn per year in five years’ time.
The report depicts a new high-tech environment in which homes are able to deliver everything from advanced entertainment services to healthcare. In this scenario, homeowners would be able to control energy usage, access public services and receive entertainment media, all linked into a variety of devices such as Internet-connected TVs, tablets and smartphones.
But there is a warning that the ‘lifestyle revolution’ will only take place if industries and government agree on technical and security standards, and provide the training and certification for retailers and installers. The report also calls for the creation of a Connected Home Forum to bring together key players in order to tackle the major issues.
Colin Batten (pictured), Intellect’s digital media convergence manager, commented: “The connected home has been talked about for sometime but it is now potentially the next big technology revolution. Most homes already have islands of technology but the truly connected home will be more than just an aggregation of different services and devices. Everything will be linked through one network, giving people access to exciting new services.
“The devices and services which make up the connected home are either already available or being developed, so will ultimately arrive in everyone’s home. The challenge is to ensure people can get the most out of them by providing a joined up, robust network and not a piecemeal service, which would leave UK householders in the digital slow-lane.”
