Safety and security concerns continue to drive adoption of smart home tech

    May 10, 2017
    New Nielsen study reveals consumer attitudes towards connected devices

    Source SecurityInfoWatch.com

    (Graphic courtesy Nielsen)
    In Q4 2016 among connected home security system users, 64 percent strongly agree that overall peace of mind was a reason for using a home security system.
    In Q4 2016 among connected home security system users, 64 percent strongly agree that overall peace of mind was a reason for using a home security system.

    While it seems like a new study is published every week about some aspect of smart home technology adoption, nearly every one of them to a tee has found that safety and security are the biggest factors motivating people to deploy connected devices within their home. This was confirmed yet again in a new report published by consumer research firm Nielsen on Wednesday.

    In fact, 64 percent of connected home security system users who took part in the company’s "Q4 Connected Life Report," which gathered responses from more than 5,800 people 18 years of age or older, said that they strongly agree that their desire for a home security-system continues to be propelled by overall peace of mind and concern for security of possessions (54 percent). In addition, 42 percent say that safety concerns in the neighborhood and their concern for the safety of children (44 percent) was also a primary factor for their interest. 

    Other findings from the study include:

    • Connected home users are 38 percent female and 62 percent male, with the highest users being between the ages of 25-34 (39 percent). Forty-one percent of connected home users make over $100,000, and 51 percent have at least one child under the age of 18 living in their household.
    • Across the connected home landscape, the most-used technologies include home automation, (58 percent), wireless home security (57 percent), smart wireless sound system/speakers (34 percent) and connected appliances (26 percent). The most frequently used daily home automation features include lighting control (70 percent), garage door/gate control (68 percent) and access monitoring and control (66 percent).
    • There is also a strong interest in an over the top holistic solution for connected homes, with almost half (49 percent) saying they would prefer that service and another 45 percent reporting interest in it but wanting to try it out first. Connected home non-users with a high interest level in connected home technology are most interested in wireless home security (71 percent) and home automation (64 percent).
    • As home automation continues to evolve, there continues to be a strong interest in future connected home technologies, especially a home automation/security system that users can control via text (46 percent) and a system that can detect when users are nearby and then automatically initiate specific features (43 percent)
    • And, with consumer interest in a unified connected home system, 49 percent of users of connected home technologies desire a single-device connected home system and would prefer to be able to control all aspects of their home through a single device, service or app.