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Home is high . According to the results , 57 % of UK adults showed a good level of understanding of the primary features and benefits smart home technologies could bring .
By 2020 it ’ s predicted that the average person will have 6.5 connected devices .
offering and being adopted by manufacturers at a more accessible level . Among those having the biggest impact are the Internet of Things ( IOT ), connectivity , wearables , cloud computing , Wi-Fi , NFC , energy harvesting and miniatures . Crucially for locksmiths , in this revolution , keys are becoming credentials changing the face of access control and how we think about security .
The influx of technology into people ’ s daily lives made possible by the growing sophistication of this technology means that by 2020 it ’ s predicted that the average person will have 6.5 connected devices . From laptops , tablets and smart phones to washing machines , cameras and smart meters the Technological Revolution is as much driven by product innovation as consumer demand , and this will translate from the home to the commercial and public sector .
This growth in the adoption of connected devices has been a key driver in the prevalence of the Smart Home , an area where locksmiths are well placed to benefit from new revenue streams .
A term often used but seldom explained the ‘ Smart Home ’ is a home with a gateway connected to the internet , which allows users to control and monitor their home , and all the devices in it , such as heating , lighting and security . According to recent research from IT firm Gartner , it will only take another six years for the Smart Home market to mature , where the average affluent family will have more than 500 connected devices in their home .
With an expected market value of £ 26 billion by 2019 , the technology giants are looking to profit from this ever growing sector .
Samsung , Apple and Google have all converged on this market , further propelling smart homes into the forefront of peoples ’ minds .
This is reinforced by data from a recent study , which showed that consumer awareness of the Smart
It ’ s widely accepted that there are five primary drivers for smart home installations : smart energy , smart security , smart entertainment , smart convenience , and smart health . The customer journey will start with one of these technologies but once installed is more likely to add further devices to their home . Security is identified as the second most likely entry point to creating a Smart Home with intelligent locks seen as an intrinsic part of a smart home installation .
Clearly , connected devices and intelligent locks are presenting huge opportunities and providing new revenue streams for those involved in the Smart Home and connected market . So , why does trepidation exist in the locksmith industry when it comes to exploring these new prospects ?
The level of innovation and the sophistication of the technology involved , as well as the lucrative financial rewards , means that many of the ‘ big players ’ have converged on this market . This can mean ‘ traditional ’ locksmiths are reluctant to compete . However , research shows that whilst the likes of Apple , Google and Samsung lead the way , consumers and building owners still prefer the peace of mind of security being provided by a trusted name and brand , with experience in security .
One of the biggest potential barriers to growth in the smart home market is consumer concern that the technology will be too complicated ; they won ’ t be able to understand or use all the features ; and that
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL . CO . UK | NOV / DEC 2016