Canadians have a strong appetite for connected devices, fuelled by concerns on the home front, according to a survey by Primus and Ryerson University’s DMZ. (Part of the survey was released in May, but a second wave of data was made available exclusively to Marketing.)
Most Canadians (92%) are preoccupied with home security, family wellbeing and tending to loved ones’ needs. In fact, 60% express concern about home security while on vacation, 59% worry they left a door unlocked, and 55% are anxious about a home break-in.
The survey also found 67% of parents worry about their children being at home alone; 43% expressed concern about their aging parents; and 62% of pet owners said they are concerned about pets when they are out of the house.
According to Primus, the results suggest there is strong potential for connected devices and the Internet of Things to alleviate many of Canadians’ daily anxieties.
“Household safety is one of the top concerns for an overwhelming majority of Canadians… and the Internet of Things gives [consumers] a tremendous amount of remote monitoring capability through connected devices both in the home and through their smartphones,” said Bradley Fisher, SVP and product strategy leader at Primus.
In terms of what types of connected devices consumers want, the survey found 80% of respondents are seeking in-home safety devices (such as connected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors) and 76% are interested in home energy saving tools. Almost three-quarters (71%) are seeking fun and games, such as home entertainment systems, in their connected devices; and 63% desire in-home-security monitoring devices.
Consumers are also ready to welcome devices that create a “connected car” (56%), enable remote access to in-home appliances (53%), or help them track their fitness (52%). Among Canadians with children under 18 at home, over half (57%) are interested in child monitoring devices such as watches or wristbands.
In the survey results released in May, 44% of Canadians said they are somewhat or very likely to adopt connected devices in the next two years, and within five years, interest jumps to 63%. Among Canadians who already own connected devices, 14% have a connected home entertainment device, 9% have a connected fitness devices, and 7% have installed a connected smoke or carbon monoxide detector.
Looking ahead, Fisher said some of these solutions would become the default in new home construction or become mandatory in automotive insurance, for vehicle tracking and recovery.
“Industry, home developers and automotive manufacturers are starting to imbed some of these solutions in our everyday objects and buildings… and the benefits at that point become more widespread,” said Fisher.
“They become mass market in a way that the consumer doesn’t need to purchase additional equipment. They’re able to interact with and benefit from the imbedded Internet of Things through their own smartphone.”
