The Internet Home Alliance, a non-profit association of high-tech and consumer companies formed to enhance consumers' understanding, appreciation and adoption of the Internet lifestyle, recently announced the results of a custom survey that assessed consumers' attitudes toward connected home solutions.
Results of the survey reveal 42% of U.S. single-family homeowners, or 26.1 million households, are inclined to adopt technology that results in a connected home. Seventeen percent of respondents identify themselves as likely adopters of connected home solutions and 25% said they would consider a connected home.
The study unveils the following key characteristics of primary adopters:
College educated families with children between the ages of 14 and 18 years old;
Families with an annual household income between $75,000 and $100,000;
Homeowners between the ages of 35 and 54 years old.
The survey also revealed that 58% of technology-adopting homeowners feel the Internet has a very positive effect on their lives. In addition, those likely to buy connected homes tend to be outgoing and involved in a variety of social or civic activities.
A connected home is a home where home computers, peripheral devices, televisions, lighting and heating controls, the home security system and other home appliances are linked into one centrally-controlled system.
The survey indicated that the most appealing aspect of the connected home is the convenience associated with the ability to control a variety of home devices from a central system.
The least appealing aspect is the presumption that the technology will be too technical or complicated. Consumers' most prevalent concern about the connected home is security. These concerns fall into two distinct categories: the outright theft of personal information and the confidentiality of information transmitted via the Internet.
This survey confirms that the connected home represents a huge opportunity for content providers, managed service providers, infrastructure providers, in-home networked product suppliers and solutions integrators, said Bill Kenney, president of Internet Home Alliance, and vice president, emerging home solutions at Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Based on the results of the survey, Internet Home Alliance anticipates that initial adoption of connected home solutions will focus on expanded communications options, digital entertainment services, Web-based home security systems and distance learning packages.
The connected home survey was conducted by Zanthus, a Beaverton, Oregon-based high technology research consulting firm. For additional highlights of the survey, visit www.internethomealliance.com.
The following companies have joined the Internet Home Alliance:
Autco Distributing Inc. Distributor and integrator of home networking solutions and mobile electronics.
Coactive Networks Inc. Provider of gateways for Internet connection.
Gatespace Provider of distributed service platforms for gateways.
Graviton Inc. Provider of cost-effective wireless sensory network systems and services.
Home Director Inc. Supplier of complete home networking solutions.
Info-Linc Leader of residential technology in the United Kingdom.
Metering Technology Corp. Builder of low-cost, Internet-enabled metering solutions.
N.E.W. Customer Service Co. Marketer and administrator of extended service contracts.
Qubit Technology Inc. Delivers Internet appliance technology solutions.
zBox Company Provider of the zBox, a smart delivery appliance.