Make no mistake: The goal of the smart home is to make smart connections with other devices that will bring control and peace of mind to people’s lives.
The smart home market has received a lot of media attention in the last few years, but despite growing consumer interest, the idea of a fully-integrated “connected home” still isn’t a part of everyday life. Sure I can be linked to my coffee maker and my mirror. Even my refrigerator can interact with me. But that is far from my home being an AI living entity.
The current state of things
Take the garage door. Data compiled in a report by IoTworldnews.com shows that “the average homeowner uses their garage door between four and ten times per day which translates to nearly 60 coming and going moments in a week.” That’s more face-time than most people have with their partners.
There’s plenty of conventional wisdom that feels a connected home should start with a connected garage. This is, according to Chamberlain.com, is apparently where home activity begins and ends every day. I could have sworn it started in bed when I bring my wife coffee but I’m old-fashioned that way.
The garage door as the center of your life
A Parks Associates study looked at all connected devices in the home and ranked them on level of activity. More than lights, locks, thermostats and cameras, the connected garage door is most active. Kind of makes you wonder.
Garage door usage alerts are a big part the smart home concept. It’s not simply knowing about when your door opened or closed, it’s knowing that you did, in fact, remember to close it, that your mother-in-law just pulled in and decided to visit for two week or your spouse just got home from work.
Not just for cars
Things change: The garage is now considered the main entry to the home for more than 70 per cent of Americans. The ability to monitor, open and close the garage door from anywhere, and receive alerts of door activity, is a great boon to consumers.
Chamberlain is leading the field making the garage door as smart as the rest of the house.
#SmartBeginnings
