July 15, 2019

The demand for smart home products has been steadily growing over the last few years and is projected to reach $53.5 billion worldwide by 2022. With that in mind, we at KBB are especially excited about our upcoming July/August issue, and we wanted to preface it with a look at some of the manufacturers playing a part in the growth of the smart home. Bringing convenience, luxury and optimal functionality to home, these products will likely change the way we live our lives and how our homes are designed in the future.

KBB: Why do you think smart home products are on the rise?

“It’s the convergence of technology advancements with consumers wanting comfort and control. Manufacturers continue to add smart capabilities to their existing products because they see the value of giving consumers what they want. As appliances and electronics get more sophisticated, there’s a need to have them controlled in an easier way.”

– Jeff Ratkus, category manager, Häfele America Co.

“With more people purchasing voice-activated speakers, they want the voice functionality to extend into various areas of their home. Not only is owning a smart product fun, but it also should make your life easier.”

– Adriana Miller, product manager, Delta

“As technology advances and connectivity becomes the norm, it was only natural for

the day-to-day products in the home to also evolve. As the vast variety of home solutions became more centralized to a handful of popular platforms (like Amazon, Google, SmartThings), this allows developers and manufacturers to seamlessly integrate their products and services for a much more enjoyable and convenient user experience.”

– Scott Kim, director of products and R&D, Dacor

“Consumers are increasingly looking for smart home products that will improve their daily lives. In fact, according to a recent global survey from Whirlpool Corporation, consumers are looking for simpler, faster ways to manage their lives, and smart home products have the ability to do just that.”

– Whirlpool Corporation

“Consumer adoption of technology is continuing to grow exponentially, and home automation demand is growing in concert. Home automation can provide security, convenience, comfort and energy efficiency – all things that consumers want and need.”

– Martha Orellana, vice president of marketing, MrSteam

MrSteam residential steam shower systems now work with Amazon Alexa when SteamLinx is installed. Homeowners can “talk” to their steam shower through Alexa, ask questions, get helpful answers or give basic commands to the system. Common commands include turning on the steam generator and setting the temperature or duration.

KBB: What makes a good smart product?

“The easier a product is for the consumer, the better product it is, because otherwise customers won’t use it. Having the ability to cross platforms and integrate with other smart products like Amazon Alexa or Google Home makes it even better.”

– Ratkus, Häfele America Co.

“A good smart product serves a clear purpose and makes life easier for the consumer. While smart products can be fun to play with, we believe the technology should also be providing a solution to a problem.”

– Miller, Delta

“The best type of smart product is one that serves a true purpose and provides a real consumer benefit.”

-Whirlpool Corporation

“A good smart product is a product that offers true user benefit. A lot of products now offer smart and connected features, but if they do not offer real convenience or enhance the user experience, it becomes just a feature that becomes lost and will not be utilized.”

– Kim, Dacor

“First there must meet a need or a convenience that can be added, and then it must be intuitive and easy. These are reasons music and lighting were two of the first automated functions to be widely adopted.”

– Orellana, MrSteam

Dacor introduces the 24-in. WIFI-enabled Full-Sized Wine Cellar. The cellar gives the user the tools to protect a wine investment while at home or away via the IQ Connect SmartThings app. Wine is stored at the ideal temperatures in three independently cooled climate zones utilizing Dacor’s own Precise Cooling Technology. Remotely view the cooling performance and monitor any changes in temperature using a WiFi-enabled smart device.

KBB: How do you think smart home products are changing the home?

“It’s changing the way consumers go about their day-to-day activities. Being able to customize and control lights, locks, appliances and more from one device adds convenience into a homeowner’s day.”

– Ratkus, Häfele America Co.

“Smart home products are giving consumers more control at their fingertips. With the ability to command products through a mobile app or voice activation, homes are becoming more personalized to the needs of the homeowner.”

– Miller, Delta

“These products are allowing for the user to be directly connected with their homes or helping them control an aspect of their lives easily and conveniently. These factors allow the home to be the central hub of connectivity between all of their products and help the users interact with or stay connected effortlessly. Ultimately, the home becomes a more comfortable and inviting place that stays connected with you always.”

-Kim, Dacor

“As the shift to digital continues, consumers are beginning to desire connected appliances that fit seamlessly into the larger home ecosystem. Smart home products allow us to personalize the in–home experience for our consumers in a way that helps them care for their families better, faster and smarter.”

– Whirlpool Corporation

“People want products that simplify their lives. Smart home products are helping them do that by assisting with everyday tasks and providing conveniences that did not previously exist.”

– Orellana, MrSteam

The Häfele Connect Mesh network solution works with an app to allow users to operate and customize Häfele products throughout the home. Through the connectivity between the Häfele Connect Mesh 6-way distributor and the Häfele Connect app, users can now fully control their Häfele Loox LED lighting, sound system, TV lifts, electronic locks and select cabinet flap fittings throughout the home via their Bluetooth-enabled smart devices.

KBB: Where is the smart home industry going next?

“It used to be that a smart or connected home was only possible if you hired a specialist to integrate everything. Now, users are able to utilize new platforms and personalize their products themselves. All smart home solutions are becoming more user friendly, reducing labor costs for installers.”

– Ratkus, Häfele America Co.

“I think at some point we will have total control of our homes from our phones or maybe even from our cars. The possibilities are exciting.”

– Miller, Delta

“With connectivity becoming more and more prevalent, and as manufacturers bring forth greater benefits and functions to existing platforms, the products within the smart home will play an essential part to bringing an elevated experience. As AI capabilities continue to grow, automation will become a greater part of the smart home, taking the burdens of everyday activities and planning off the user and helping them enjoy more time doing the things they love.”

– Kim, Dacor

“As more technology is added to the home, so too will the option to automate it. We are seeing a steady rise in the home automation enabled kitchen appliance. Now, technology and automation have made their way into the bathroom.”

– Orellana, MrSteam

Inspired by the iconic KitchenAid Stand Mixer and the versatility it brought to the kitchen, the KitchenAid Smart Oven+ with Powered Attachment system features interchangeable attachments that connect to the oven hub, in addition to standard baking, broiling and convection options.