Home automation as a concept is not new. But what is relatively new is the current rapid pace of adoption. According to a recent report by Techarc, 32% of Indian consumers intend to spend Rs. 20000-50000 on smart-connected devices this year.
The pandemic, and its aftermath, has been a key driver in this trend. People have been spending a lot more time at home over the last few years – initially due to lockdowns and social-distancing measures and now due to continued remote/hybrid work practices. This has given them a keener understanding of what they expect from their homes in terms of convenience and energy efficiency, which in turn has significantly increased the appeal of smart home appliances. While the penetration of smart home devices in India is still far less than in Western nations, it is a segment poised for massive growth. In fact, according to a study by Allied Market research, the market for home automation in India is expected to expand to $13.57 billion by 2027!
Let us take a closer look at some of the factors which make home automation an attractive option for the Indian consumer:
Bringing Convenience to the Forefront
The ease of use offered by smart home devices is one of the most significant factors drawing customers to them. There was a time when you could only dream of being able to switch on or switch off lights, fans, plug-points and other appliances without having to physically walk to a switchboard. IoT-powered automation literally makes that dream a reality. Now you can control your appliances from anywhere in your home, or even outside your home, through a mobile app or simple voice commands. Voice activated appliances are particularly useful when there are children or elderly people at home, making it much easier for them to operate these devices without incident.
Ensuring Energy Efficiency
Sustainability is something on many Indian consumers’ minds. Given India’s national mission to achieve Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2070, sustainable choices by every household assume an even greater importance. Smart automation adds value by helping significantly reduce energy wastage in the home. Forgetting to turn off the lights, fans or other devices when you leave the room (or even the house) is a major cause of wastage. Being able to remotely switch off these appliances, (or program them to be switched off after a predetermined length of time, or if motion-sensors do not detect anyone in the room) helps avoid this wastage. A home automation system could even automatically adjust the intensity of lights or ensure that multiple high-intensity electrical appliances aren’t in use at the same time, which further contributes to energy efficiency.
Reducing Costs
Director,
Syska Group
India being a price-sensitive market, the adoption of any new product or innovation would significantly depend on its cost-effectiveness. Smart home appliances pass this ‘test’ by helping households save money. Being able to switch off lights, fans, and other appliances remotely through your smartphone, conveniently through voice commands, or automatically when no one is in the room (if the devices are equipped with motion sensors) not only reduces energy wastage but contributes to reduced energy bills as well. More sophisticated home automation systems can even leverage IoT analytics to optimize energy consumption in real-time, resulting in significant cost savings.
Looking Ahead
Smart appliances bring convenience to customers, promote sustainability through energy savings, and help households reduce costs. From being a ‘luxury’ product, home automation is on the path to soon becoming a ‘must-have’ as consumers continue to rapidly adopt the segment’s offerings. As India moves towards ‘smart homes’ and ‘smart cities’, these devices will become increasingly ubiquitous.
India has the potential to replace China as the world’s largest global manufacturing hub, and the ESDM (Electronics System Design & Manufacturing) sector will be a key part of that effort. Further innovations in smart appliances and home automation systems will certainly put more wind in the sails of both the sector’s growth, and the growth story of the country at large.
