The demand for smart home tech is skyrocketing, and the manufacturers are responding with newer and more innovative devices, making the already crowded smart home marketplace an even more confusing place for customers. At Mila, we are fielding more and more calls asking for smart home consultations – customers want smart tech, but are not sure what to choose!
One of the biggest concerns customers have is about the future usability of the products they buy. They can see that the pace of innovation is extremely fast and are concerned that their investment might be obsolete a few years down the line.
Here are some trends and technologies you need to keep in mind while advising your customers.
Better robot solutions coming up Until now, the best integration for robot technology has been with vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers. Expect this to spread beyond a single-use scenario. LG CLOi is pushing the boundaries on robotic technology, and next year could see some truly innovative robotic helpers coming up. Not sure if it will have a Hollywoodesque flavour yet or if it would just be a multi-functional tool on wheels!
Kitchens get smarter The smart tech revolution only bestowed limited intelligent functionalities on kitchen gadgets, but we see a change coming up! Now manufacturers are moving towards a truly integrated smart cooking experience. For example, smart refrigerators are helping out in multiple ways – they read out recipes, tell you when your food is expiring, update your shopping lists, and more.
Bathrooms too! Bathrooms haven't really been a top priority for homeowners installing smart tech, but the new range of benefits might just entice them to open their wallets. A sure shot winner would be the heated toilet seat! However, why keep smart tech restricted to toilets when you can get smart showers or bathtubs too.
In terms of trends, we have noticed people asking a lot about :
- How will
5G affect their investments - the simple answer is that it would make things faster and more connected. In terms of investment, 5G enabled devices are expected to hit the market next year, but manufacturers are thinking ahead and will undoubtedly provide upgrades for existing customers.
- Cross-compatibility between devices from different brands – most manufacturers are moving away from device lock-in and providing complete compatibility. However, it still makes sense to choose the hub/controller keeping in mind long term requirements.
At Mila, a big part of our smart home service offering is helping customers make the right choice. With so many competing brands and products, our clients trust us to give them tailored recommendations based solely on their unique needs, budgets, and home layouts. To make this service an integral part of our platform, we are now offering new courses and trainings on our Mila Academy for all our partners.
If you are looking to broaden your knowledge on the subject, then head over to
Mila Academy.
