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October 22, 2015 DEBORAH WEINSWIG Executive Director – Head of Global Retail & Technology Fung Business Intelligence Centre [email protected] US: 646.839.7017 HK: 852.6119.1779 CHN: 86.186.1420.3016 By 2020, there will be approximately 25 billion IoTenabled devices, 13 billion of them in the consumer electronics segment, says Gartner Research. Consumers across demographics are excited about owning a smart home. The key drivers in smart home adoption are home security, energy efficiency, entertainment, convenience/productivity, connectivity and health monitoring. The industry is marked by strategic collaboration between the IT giants and the rise of startups which develop popular smart devices. Interoperability between devices and the high cost of adoption are two issues to be resolved for the market to develop further. THE CONNECTED HOME SERIES 1. What Happens When Your Home Is Smarter Than You?

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1  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

D E B O R A H W E I N S W I G

E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r – H e a d o f G l o b a l R e t a i l & T e c h n o l o g y

F u n g B u s i n e s s I n t e l l i g e n c e C e n t r e d e b o r a h w e i n s w i g @ f u n g 1 9 3 7 . c o m

U S : 6 4 6 . 8 3 9 . 7 0 1 7 H K : 8 5 2 . 6 1 1 9 . 1 7 7 9

C H N : 8 6 . 1 8 6 . 1 4 2 0 . 3 0 1 6

• By   2020,   there   will   be   approximately   25   billion   IoT-­‐enabled  devices,  13  billion  of   them   in   the   consumer  electronics   segment,  says  Gartner  Research.  

• Consumers   across   demographics   are   excited   about   owning   a  smart  home.  

• The  key  drivers  in  smart  home  adoption  are  home  security,  energy  efficiency,   entertainment,   convenience/productivity,   connectivity  and  health  monitoring.  

• The   industry   is  marked  by  strategic  collaboration  between   the   IT  giants   and   the   rise   of   startups   which   develop   popular   smart  devices.  

• Interoperability   between   devices   and   the   high   cost   of   adoption  are  two  issues  to  be  resolved  for  the  market  to  develop  further.  

 

THE CONNECTED HOME SERIES

1. What Happens

When Your Home Is

Smarter Than You?

 

2  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

T A B L E O F  C o n t e n t s EXECUTIVE  SUMMARY   3  

MAKING  THE  MOVE:  THE  REQUIREMENTS  FOR  A  CONNECTED  HOME   5  

THE  IOT   6  

HOME  AUTOMATION  LEADERBOARD   9  

SAME  MESSAGE,  DIFFERENT  LANGUAGE:  HOME  AUTOMATION  PROTOCOLS  AND  INTEROPERABILITY   11  

RISKS/THREATS   13  

THE  WAY  AHEAD  FOR  CONNECTED  HOMES   14  

   

 

3  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In   the   first   of   our   series   on   the   connected   home   market,   we   offer   an  overview   of   the   market,   focusing   on   key   drivers,   underlying   technologies  and  major  players.    

The  Internet  of  Things  (IoT)  has  allowed  even  inanimate  objects  to  interact  with  a  person  or  an  object  around   it,  and   it  may  not  be   long  before  one’s  housekeeper   is   reminiscent   of   Rosie   from   The   Jetsons   or   Jarvis   from   Iron  Man.  There  is  a  smart  device  for  nearly  every  aspect  of  home  maintenance,  and   we   have   categorized   them   into   four   groups   for   the   purposes   of   this  report:   home   security;   lighting,   temperature   and   climate   control,   energy  management,  and  overall  control;  kitchen  and  other  home  equipment;  and  home   entertainment.   The   only   remaining   issues   to   be   resolved   in   the   IoT  vertical   of   connected  homes  are   the   interoperability  between  devices   and  the  cost  of  adoption.  

Consumers,  across  demographics,  are  excited  about  owning  a  smart  home,  with  millennials  and  Generation  X  being  the  most  enthusiastic,  according  to  a   report   by   Icontrol   Networks.   The   report   found   that   the   key   drivers  influencing  consumers’  decision  to  adopt  a  smart  home  are  home  security,  energy   efficiency,   cost   savings,   entertainment,   convenience/productivity,  connectivity  and  health  monitoring.  

Industry  bigwigs  Samsung  and  Nest  (now  owned  by  Google)  joined  forces  to  develop  a  common  platform  called  Thread,  which  allows  devices  to  talk  to  each  other   seamlessly.  And  startups   such  as  August,  ecobee  and  Dropcam  have   developed   more   efficient   and   attractive   home   devices   that   could  displace   those   made   by   traditional   home   automation   companies   such   as  Honeywell   and   Siemens.   With   the   emergence   of   such   startups   and   an  atmosphere   rife  with   competitive   collaboration,  we  might   just  witness   an  upheaval  in  the  century-­‐old  home  automation  industry.  

Research  firm  Gartner  predicts  that  by  2020,  there  will  be  approximately  25  billion  IoT-­‐enabled  devices,  13  billion  of  them  in  the  consumer  electronics  segment.  With  so  many  units,  however,  and  no  common  language  to  unite  them  all,  we  might  just  end  up  with  a  lot  of  noise  and  no  productivity.  Individual  controls  for  devices  made  by  different  manufacturers  will  be  counterproductive  and  costly  to  the  consumer.  That  is  why  adoption  costs  are  currently  high  and  why  mass  adoption  hinges  on  the  devices  being  interoperable:  consumers  will  be  willing  to  make  big  investments  in  these  products  only  if  they  all  work  together  well.

Research  firm  Gartner  predicts  that  by  2020,  there  will  be  approximately  25  billion  IoT-­‐enabled  devices,  13  billion  of  them  in  the  consumer  electronics  segment.  

13 Billion  

 

4  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

What Happens When Your Home Is Smarter than You?  

As  we  are  on   the  brink  of  a   futuristic   lifestyle  à   la  The   Jetsons,   companies  are   more   driven   now   than   ever   before   to   create   intelligent   and   efficient  household   devices.   You   can   put   the   kettle   on   in   the   kitchen,   tell   your  thermostat   to   increase   the   temperature   in   the   living   room,   instruct   your  washing  machine  to  run  the  smaller   load  and  track  your  pet  with  your  pet  cam,  all  from  a  single  place.  Welcome  to  the  age  of  the  connected  home!  

 

A   connected   home   (or   “smart   home”)   is   defined   as   one  where   the   lights,  heating/ventilation/air-­‐conditioning   (HVAC),   security   alarm   and   other  household   devices   can   be   automated   and   remotely   controlled   by   a  smartphone,   tablet  or  computer.  All   the  devices  are  either  connected  to  a  wireless   hub   in   the   house,   which   communicates   with   the   homeowner’s  devices,  or  directly  communicate  with  the  homeowner’s  smartphone.  New  homes   can   be   built   with   the   additional   hard   wiring   necessary   for   such  technology,   and   existing   homes   can   be   retrofitted   in   order   to  make   them  smart.  

According   to   recent   research   from   MarketsandMarkets,   the   value   of   the  global   smart   home  market   is   expected   to   touch   $58.68   billion   by   2020,   a  near-­‐tripling   of   its   value   from   2014.  With   the   enhanced   interest   in   home  automation,   we   expect   to   see   a   ripple   effect   on   the   many   devices   and  technologies  involved.  

Figure  1:  Estimated  Value  of  the  Global  Smart  Home  Market,  2014  and  2020E  (USD  Bil.)  

 

 

 

 

 

Source:  MarketsandMarkets/FBIC  Global  Retail  &  Technology  

20.38  

58.68  

0  

10  

20  

30  

40  

50  

60  

70  

2014   2020E  

USD

 Bil.  

A  connected  home  (or  “smart  home”)  is  defined  as  one  where  the  lights,  heating/ventilation/air-­‐conditioning  (HVAC),  security  alarm  and  other  household  devices  can  be  automated  and  remotely  controlled  by  a  smartphone,  tablet  or  computer.  

 

5  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

MAKING  THE  MOVE:  THE  REQUIREMENTS  FOR  A  CONNECTED  HOME  

Home   automation   requires   that   the   resident   have   a   smartphone   and  wireless  Internet  connection  at  home,  as  well  as  a  starter  kit  to  wire  up  the  home   and   connect   the   devices.   Later   in   this   report,   we   examine   some  popular   products   in   the   smart   home   devices   market   that   underscore   the  necessity  of  these.  

Based   on   data   from   the   International   Telecommunication   Union,   a  specialized   body   of   the   UN   for   information   and   communication  technologies,  we   predict   that   the   percentage   of   households  with   Internet  worldwide   will   touch   59%   by   2017.   This   is   a   basic   forecast   that   does   not  consider   the   evolution   of   other   technologies   and   economic   trends,   but  there  is  an  increasing  demand  for  Internet  connectivity  globally.  

Figure  2:  Estimated  Percentage  of  Global  Households  with  Internet  Connectivity,  2011–17Es  

 

Source:  International  Telecommunication  Union/FBIC  Global  Retail  &  Technology  

The   mobile   phone   market   has   also   has   been   growing   steadily,   and  smartphone   penetration   per   capita   has   grown   by   nearly   500   basis   points  each   year   since   2011.   According   to   eMarketer,   34%   of   the   world’s  population  is  expected  to  own  a  smartphone  by  2017.  

   

30  

40  

50  

60  

2011   2012   2013   2014   2015E   2016E   2017E  

%  

34% According  to  eMarketer,  34%  of  the  world’s  population  is  expected  to  own  a  smartphone  by  2017.  

 

6  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

Figure  3:  Forecast  Global  Smartphone  Penetration  as  a  Percentage  of  Total  Population,  2011–17E  

Source:  eMarketer/FBIC  Global  Retail  &  Technology  

THE  IOT  

While   Internet   connectivity   in   homes   and   smartphones   seem   to   be   the  driving  forces  in  consumer  adoption  of  smart  home  devices,  it  is  the  devices’  ability   to   work   in   sync   with   each   other   and   improve   the   consumer  experience   that   will   ultimately   drive   mass-­‐market   home   automation.   The  ability  of  objects  to  connect  to  a  network,  transmit  information  and  interact  with   their   surroundings   is   now   a   widely   discussed   and   much-­‐anticipated  phenomenon  in  technology.  

Machine  to  Machine  (M2M)  Before   IoT   can   fully   evolve,   M2M   communications   need   to   become  seamless  across   technologies.  M2M   is  a   term  used   to  describe   technology  that   allows   one  machine   to   interact   with   another   or   with   a   device/cloud  connected   to   a   computer,   without   human   interference.   Since   the   IoT   can  include  a  wide  array  of  objects  (such  as  a  chair  or  table  or  even  a  soda  can!)  that   can   interact   with   a   machine,   a   person   or   another   thing,   M2M   is  commonly  viewed  as  a  subset  of  IoT.  

Figure  4:  IoT  Units  Installed  Base,  by  Category,  2013-­‐15E  and  2020E  

 

Source:  Gartner/FBIC  Global  Retail  &  Technology  

16  

20  

25  28  

31  34  

0  

10  

20  

30  

40  

2012   2013   2014   2015E   2016E   2017E  

%  

3   4  5  

25  

0  

5  

10  

15  

20  

25  

30  

2013   2014   2015E   2020E  

Units  (B

il.)  

Verocal  Business   Generic  Business   Consumer   Automoove  

 

7  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

Gartner  has  forecasted  that  the  number  of  IoT  installed  base  units  will  hit  25  billion  by  2020,  and  in  the  consumer  electronics  category  alone,  the  number  of   units   is   expected   to   hit   13   billion.   The   optimistic   prediction   is   largely  justified,   considering   the   number   of   smart   devices   that   are   being   injected  into  the  market  every  day,  but  what  is  driving  this  growth?  

According   to   Goldman   Sachs   Global   Investment   Research,   apart   from  smartphones   and  wireless   Internet,   there   are   two  main   enablers   that   are  driving  the  faster  adoption  of  IoT:  the  reduced  price  of  sensors,  bandwidth  and   processing,   and   the   progression   of   Big   Data   analytics.   (Big   Data   is   a  wide-­‐ranging   term   for   data   sets   that   are   too   large   to   be   captured   and  processed  through  traditional  data-­‐processing  applications.)  As  the  price  of  Internet  connectivity  has  become  cheaper,  Internet  speeds  have  increased,  and  the  raw  materials  used  to  manufacture  technology  cost   less  than  they  used  to.  So,  it  is  now  more  convenient  and  cost-­‐effective  for  inventors  and  developers  to  churn  out  new  devices.  Also,  IoT  devices  can  gather  user  data  more  easily  than  can  traditional  methods,  so  the  prospect  of  harnessing  Big  Data  through  these  means  could  further  drive  IoT  growth.  

Currently,   the   IoT   can   be   broadly   categorized   into   five   niche   markets:  wearables,   connected   cars,   connected   homes,   connected   cities   and   the  industrial   Internet.   Though   these   are   distinct   verticals,   there   are   several  crossover   opportunities   in   the   market   that   manufacturers   can   exploit   by  working   together.   Companies   such   as   Samsung   and   Apple   are   already  making  wearables  and  products  for  the  home.  

Figure  5:  Key  Verticals  in  the  Adoption  of  IoT  

Source:  Goldman  Sachs  Global  Investment  Research/FBIC  Global  Retail  &  Technology  

Millennials  Are  the  Ones  Most  Interested  in  a  Smart  Home  A   study   conducted   jointly   by   the   Consumer   Electronics   Association   and  Parks  Associates   found  that  48%  of  smart-­‐home  owners  are  under  age  35.  Another   study,   by   Icontrol   Networks,   confirmed   that   US   consumers   ages  25–34  were  the  most  excited  about  owning  a  smart  home,  but  that  they  are  also  the  demographic  group  most  concerned  with  high  adoption  costs.  

Industrial  Internet  

Connected  Cibes    

Connected  Homes  

Connected  Cars  

Wearables    

25 Billion  

Gartner  has  forecasted  that  the  number  of  IoT  installed  base  units  will  hit  25  billion  by  2020,  and  in  the  consumer  electronics  category  alone,  the  number  of  units  is  expected  to  hit  13  billion.  

 

8  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

Home  Security  

90%  -­‐  Overall  

Entertainment  

46%  -­‐  Overall  

5%  -­‐  Stated  it  as  No.  1  reason  to  purchase  

smart  home  system  

Cost  Savings  from  Energy  Efficiency  

70%  -­‐  Overall  

78%  -­‐  Consumers  aged  55+  

Producovity  And  Work  Life  

Balance  

23%  -­‐  Overall  

40%  -­‐  Consumers  in  the  age  group  25  to  

34  

Easier  to  enjoy  music,  movies  

and  surf  internet  

18%  -­‐  Overall  

26%  -­‐  Consumers  in  the  age  group  25  to  

34  

Anocipate  Needs  in  Advance  (repairs,  shopping  lists)  

18%  -­‐  Overall  

24%  -­‐  Consumers  in  the  age  group  25  to  

34  

Increased  Connecovity  With  People  

13%  -­‐  Overall  

21%  -­‐  Consumers  in  the  age  group  25  to  

34  

Key  Market  Drivers  in  Smart  Home  Adoption  Home   security   has   emerged   as   a   key   driver   in   smart   home   adoption.   The  Icontrol  Networks   study   found   that  over  90%  of   respondents   to   its   survey  said   that   home   and   family   security   would   be   a   top   reason   for   them   to  purchase  a  connected  home  or  adopt  a  smart  home  lifestyle.  Another  factor  motivating  consumers  to  purchase  a  smart  home  system  was  the  potential  cost   savings  and  energy  efficiency   such  a   system  could  provide.  Other  key  drivers   included   automation   in   entertainment;   increased   productivity   and  work-­‐life   balance;   the   devices’   ability   to   anticipate   needs   (by   generating  shopping   lists   and   repair   and   maintenance   reminders,   for   example);   and  interactive  features  that  increase  connectivity  to  people.  

Figure  6:  Key  Market  Drivers  in  Smart  Home  Adoption  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source:  Icontrol  2015  State  of  The  Smart  Home  Report/FBIC  Global  Retail  &  Technology  

Figure  7:  Smart  Home  Products  by  Functionality  

Security  

; Smart  Locking  Systems  

; Security  Cameras  

; Pet  Cameras  

; Baby  Cameras  

Lighting,  Temperature  and  Climate  Control;  Energy  Management;  and  Overall  Control  

; Daylight-­‐Sensing  Lights  

; Occupancy-­‐Sensing  Lights  

; Switches  

; Keypads/Central  Controllers  

; Thermostats  

; Heaters  

; ACs  

Kitchen  and  Other  Home  Equipment  

; Cookers  

; Coffee  Machines  

; Washing  Machines  

; Vacuum  Cleaners  

; Carbon  Monoxide/Smoke/Fire  Alarms  

Home  Entertainment  

; Whole  Home  Audio  

; Amplifiers  and  Media  Servers  

; Smart  TVs  

; Projectors  and  Screens  

Source:  FBIC  Global  Retail  &  Technology  

 

9  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

The   smart   home   market   is   flooded   with   devices   for   every   specific   home  need.  While  some  manufacturers  bank  on  specialization,  others  have  their  brand   name   to   fall   back   on,   and  many   newcomers   are   paving   the  way   in  innovative,  quality  devices  that  outdo  those  made  by  traditional  household  brands.  We  now  examine  a  few  companies  and  their  strategic  moves  in  the  smart  home  market.    

HOME  AUTOMATION  LEADERBOARD  

The  IT  Overlords  Apple,  Google,   Samsung   and  Microsoft   are   companies  whose   smart   home  products  are  perhaps  more  popular  for  their  high  brand  awareness  than  for  their  specialism  in  home  automation.  Though  Samsung  is  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  home  appliances  market,  it  is  still  not  a  traditional  home  automation  company.  These  four  players  have  made  tactical  ventures  that  give  them  a  competitive   advantage   over   their   traditional   home   automation  counterparts.  

SmartThings,   which   makes   hubs,   client   applications   and   cloud   platforms,  was  founded  in  2012.  Its  home  control  system  connects  hundreds  of  devices  in  a  house,  and  is  one  of  the  most  popular   in  the  smart  home  market.  The  company   was   bought   by   Samsung   in   2014,   but   functions   independently.  With   SmartThings   in   its   portfolio,   and   a   lineup   of   many   other   smart  products  to  be  launched,  Samsung  could  be  a  formidable  force  to  watch  out  for  in  the  smart  home  space.  

Apple’s   HomeKit   is   another   eagerly   anticipated   big-­‐name   development.  Apple   had   announced   partnerships   with   manufacturers   such   as   iHome,  Haier,   Withings,   Philips,   iDevices,   Belkin,   Honeywell   and   Kwikset   when   it  first   introduced   its   HomeKit   platform   in   2014.   It   is   rumored   that   several  manufacturers  have  already  made  their  devices  iOS  compatible  so  that  they  can  integrate  easily  with  HomeKit  when  it  is  released.  

Nest   Labs,   maker   of   the   Nest   Learning   Thermostat,   the   Nest   Protect  smoke/carbon   monoxide   detector   and   the   Nest   Cam,   was   acquired   by  Google   in   2014   as   part   of   the   latter’s   plans   to   become   a   smart   home  systems  leader.  Google  is  also  working  on  a  platform  called  Thread  that  will  simplify  home  automation  and  compete  with  Apple’s  HomeKit.  It  claims  that  the  platform  will  be  easy  to  use  and  can  even  run  on  simple,   low-­‐powered  devices.  

Insteon,   a   home   automation   technology   invented   by   Smartlabs,   enables  devices,  switches  and  lights  to  communicate  with  each  other  through  power  lines   and   radio   frequency   communications.   Microsoft   partnered   with  Insteon   in   2014   in   a   move   to   get   on   board   the   home   automation  bandwagon.   The   companies   are   working   together   to   develop   a   universal  smart  home  controller  app  that  has  exclusive  features  for  Windows  and  will  run  seamlessly  across  all  Microsoft  devices.  

   

 

10  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

Figure  8.  Selected  IT  Leaders:  Home  Automation  Technology  Developments  

Company   Strategic  Acquisitions  in  Home  Automation  

Strategic  Technology  Development  in  Home  Automation  

Google   Acquired  Nest  Labs  and  Dropcam  Developing  Brillo,  Thread  and  Weave  IoT  platforms;  Thread  is  being  developed  in  collaboration  with  Samsung,  Silicon  Labs  and  Big  Ass  Fans  

Apple       Developing  HomeKit  platform  that  can  be  integrated  with  any  iOS  device  and  can  control  interoperable  home  devices  

Samsung   Acquired  SmartThings   Collaborating  with  Google’s  Nest  in  the  development  of  Thread  

Microsoft      Developing  app  in  collaboration  with  Insteon  protocol  in  order  to  gain  a  foothold  in  automation  protocols  

Source:  Google/Apple/Samsung/Microsoft/FBIC  Global  Retail  &  Technology  

The  Newbies  Some  of  the  newer  startups  that  are  making  a  name  for  themselves  in  the  market  are  August,  Wink,  Netatmo,  ecobee  and  Canary.  Some  of  their  products  will  be  discussed  in  detail  in  future  reports.  Below  is  a  compilation  of  their  stats,  along  with  those  of  other  notable  startups  in  the  sector:  

Figure  9.  Notable  Startups  in  the  Home  Automation  Sector    

Company   Headquarters   Status   Total  Funding  

August   San  Francisco,  CA   Private   $48  Mil.  

Nest  Labs   Palo  Alto,  CA   Acquired   $80  Mil.  

SmartThings   Washington,  DC   Acquired   $16.71  Mil.  

Lockitron   Mountain  View,  CA   Private   $20,000  

Icontrol  Networks   Redwood  City,  CA   Private   $95.13  Mil.  

Lockitron   Mountain  View,  CA   Private   $20,000  

Vivint   Provo,  UT   Acquired   $1.78  Bil.  

Control4   Salt  Lake  City,  UT   Public   $79.7  Mil.  

Canary   New  York,  NY   Private   $41.66  Mil.  

ecobee   Toronto,  ON   Private   $6.73  Mil.  

Dropcam   Palo  Alto,  CA   Acquired   $47.8  Mil.  

Netatmo   Paris,  France   Private   $5.8  Mil.  

Zuli   San  Francisco,  CA   Private   $1.83  Mil.  

Savant   Hyannis,  MA   Private   $90  Mil.  

Revolv   Boulder,  CO   Acquired   $6.82  Mil.  

Wink  Technologies   Mountain  View,  CA   Acquired   $34.58  Mil.  

Ecovent   Charlestown,  MA   Private   $10.2  Mil.  

Keen  Home   New  York,  NY   Private   $1.64  Mil.  

Sensibo   Tel  Aviv,  Israel   Private   $260,000  

Source:  CB  Insights  

 

11  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

Retailers  Venturing  into  Home  Automation  Two   companies   that   have   previously   not   had   a   presence   in   home  automation  have  developed  products  that  pave  their  entry  into  the  market.  Staples  Connect  is  a  hub  with  a  control  app  developed  by  office  equipment  and   stationery   giant   Staples.   Lowe’s,   the   home   improvement   company,  made  a  control  system  called  Iris,  which  has  been  featured  in  a  number  of  top  10   lists.  Both  of   these  products  have  been  brought  to  market  by   firms  that  were  already  popular  in  their  own  domains.  

The  Traditionalists  Some  of  the  bigger  companies  that  have  been  manufacturing  and  providing  automation   equipment   and   services   for   commercial   buildings   have  expanded   into  homes  as  well.  HomeSeer  sells  a   range  of  home  controllers  and  software  that  allow  gadgets  around  the  home  to  be  controlled  through  one   device.   Honeywell   is   a   renowned   name   in   engineering,   aerospace  systems,  and  the  production  of  machinery  for  commercial  and  home  use.  Its  line   of   home   thermostats   is   quite   well   recognized   in   the   market.   Home  Automation  is  another  firm  that  applies  commercial  automation  technology  in   the   residential   market,   and   Siemens   provides   home   automation   and  control   systems   globally   for   commercial   and   domestic   use.   Icontrol  Networks,  Control4,  Fibaro  and  Vera  are  some  of  the  other  names  that  are  well  known  for  their  various  home  automation  and  control  services.  

SAME  MESSAGE,  DIFFERENT  LANGUAGE:  HOME  AUTOMATION  PROTOCOLS  AND  INTEROPERABILITY  

A  network  protocol   is   a   formal   set  of   conventions  and  data   structure   that  define  how  two  or  more  devices  exchange  information  over  their  network.  Before  we  delve  into  the  exciting  world  of  protocols,  there  are  a  few  terms  that   are   worth   a   mention:   application   program   interface   (API),   network  topology  and  interoperability.  

An   API   is   a   set   of   routines,   protocols   and   rules   that   help   build   software  applications.   It   allows   a   programmer   to   interact   with   other   software  programs.  In  a  way,  it  is  a  set  of  rules  to  allow  different  kinds  of  software  to  talk   to   each   other.   An   open  API   allows   third-­‐party   developers   to   access   it  freely   and   create   new   products   and   applications   that   can   be   sold   or  licensed.  A  closed  API  will  allow  only  the  manufacturer  of  the  product  with  a  said  API  to  develop  more  products  and  applications  using  it.  

A  network  topology  is  the  layout  of  a  network,  or  the  way  different  devices  are   connected   in   a   local   area   network.   There   are   several   kinds   of   layouts  that  are  used  for  different  purposes,  including  bus,  ring,  star,  tree  and  mesh  layouts.  In  homes,  the  most  commonly  used  are  the  bus,  ring  and  star,  but  smart  devices  need  to  be  connected  through  a  mesh  network.  

A   bus   is  where   one   device   is   connected   to   another   in   a   line,  without   any  interconnections.   A   ring   is   where   all   the   devices   are   connected   to   each  other   in   the   form  of   a   loop.  A   star  has  a   central  device   to  which  all   other  devices  are  connected.  A  mesh  has  many  devices  connected  to  each  other.  (Imagine   a   wire  mesh   and   replace   the   points   where   the   wires  meet   with  devices:  this  constitutes  a  mesh  network.)  A  peer-­‐to-­‐peer  network  is  where  each  device  has  equal  power   in   the  network,  unlike  a   star  network,  which  relies  on  one  hub  to  send  and  receive  messages.  

Source:  Smarthomebus.com  

 

12  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

Interoperability   in   its   basic   sense  means   that  different  devices   are   able   to  interact  and  communicate  with  each  other  without  special  effort   from  the  user.   For   example,   if   a   home   has   a   Nest   Thermostat,   a   Samsung  washing  machine  and  an  Apple  iPhone  that  can  connect  with  each  other  easily,  as  if  they  were  made  by  the  same  company,  they  are  interoperable.  

Home   automation   protocols   that   are   currently   popular   include   Z-­‐Wave,  ZigBee  and  Insteon,  largely  because  of  their  superiority  and  sophistication  in  terms  of  interoperability.  

Popular  Communication  Protocols  Used  in  Home  Automation  

Figure  10:  Popular  Protocols  Used  in  Home  Automation  

Protocol     Network  Topology  

Range  (Meters)  

Areas  of  Application  

Bluetooth  Low  Energy  (BLE)  

 Star,  peer-­‐to-­‐peer   10   Wireless  connectivity  between  personal  devices;  not  suitable  for  

larger  devices  such  as  security  and  kitchen  appliances  

Wi-­‐fi    

 

Star,  peer-­‐to-­‐peer   10–100  LAN  connectivity  and  broadband  Internet;  consumes  high  power,  so  more  devices  can  slow  Internet  speed;  products  are  certified  by  the  Wi-­‐Fi  Alliance  if  they  are  interoperable  with  this  protocol  

ZigBee    

  Star,  peer-­‐to-­‐peer  and  mesh   10–300   Home  automation  and  remote  control;  uses  low  power  and  is  

very  flexible  

Z-­‐Wave    

 Mesh   30  

Home  automation  and  remote  control;  flexible  network  arrangement,  uses  low  power;  fast  becoming  the  most  preferred  in  home  automation  

Insteon    

 Peer-­‐to-­‐peer  and  mesh    

 

45  Energy  measurement,  energy  savings,  irrigation  control,  occupancy  sensing,  remote  control  heating  and  air  conditioning;  works  well  with  X10  products  

X10    

 One-­‐way   N/A   Has  been  around  since  the  1970s;  low  speed  and  poor  

communication  between  devices  

Thread    

 

Mesh   Whole  house  

Being  developed  jointly  by  Nest,  Samsung,  Silicon  Labs  and  Big  Ass  Fans;  uses  low  power;  secure  and  can  connect  hundreds  of  devices:  appliances,  access  control,  climate  control,  energy  management,  lighting,  safety  and  security  

Source:  Top  Ten  Reviews/DigitalTrends/“Smart  Home  Communication  Technologies  and  Applications:  Wireless  Protocol  Assessment  for  Home  Area  Network  Resources”  by  Tiago  D.  P.  Mendes,  Radu  Godina,  Eduardo  M.  G.  Rodrigues,  João  C.  O.  Matias  and  João  P.  S.  Catalão,  published  July  20,  2015,  on  www.mdpi.com/journal/energies/Threadgroup.org/FBIC  Global  Retail  &  Technology  

 

13  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

RISKS/THREATS  

Security  Breaches  What   happens   when   all   your   devices   are   always   on,   listening   to   your  conversations,   monitoring   your   actions   and   recording   all   of   it,   and   then  someone  manages   to  hack   into  your  Nest  Cam?  Devices   connected   to   the  Internet   or   that   have   a   network   which   can   be   breached   always   pose   a  security  threat  for  their  users.  

The   Fiscal   Times   published   an   article,   “The  New  Generation   of   ‘Genuinely  Creepy’   Electronic   Devices,”   that   raised   a   number   of   issues   that   device  manufacturers   need   to   address.   It   mentions   the   Electronic   Privacy  Information  Center’s  concern  that  many  consumers  may  not  be  aware  that  their  smart  home  devices  are  in  fact  “spying”  on  them.  Google  Chrome  and  Amazon  Echo  have  specific  key  words  that  trigger  an  action  from  them,  but  in  order  for  them  to  “hear”  the  key  word,  they  have  to  be  listening  in  on  all  conversations.  

Samsung’s   Smart   TV   has   a   built-­‐in   microphone   that   records   users’  conversations   all   the   time.   The   voice-­‐recognition   software   sends   the  recorded  voice  to  a  third-­‐party  to  convert  it  to  text.  The  company  has  even  acknowledged   that   the   recordings   are   sent   unencrypted   to   a   third   party,  and  this  includes  everything  the  user  might  have  spoken,  including  sensitive  and  personal  information.  

The  Nest  Cam  and  the  Canary  system  save  recorded  audio  and  video  for  a  period  of  time,  and  any  security  breach  can  expose  a  user’s  personal  life  to  a  hacker.   It   is   also   unclear   how   much   information   the   companies   that  manufacture   these   devices   are   collecting   themselves   and   using   for   their  own   purposes.   These   are   two   key   concerns   of   consumers   surveyed   by  Nielsen’s   Affinnova:   53%   of   those   surveyed   were   worried   that   their   data  might   be   distributed  without   their   approval   or   knowledge,   and   51%  were  concerned  that  their  data  might  be  hacked.  

High  Energy  Costs  Smart   home   devices   advocate   energy-­‐saving   practices,   but   if   the   wrong  combination   of   devices   (that   use   more   energy/power)   is   used,   or   if   the  devices   have   not   been   configured   adequately,   they   could   end   up   being  costly  instead  of  cost-­‐effective.  

Dependent  on  Internet  There  have  been  cases  of  home  automation  systems  completely  shutting  off  when   a   home’s   Internet/broadband   connection   is   down.   Devices   that   are  heavily  dependent  on  the   Internet  and  wi-­‐fi  are  most  at   risk   if   set  up  with  these  networks.  

Network  Interoperability  With  so  many  devices,   from  so  many  different  manufacturers,   flooding  the  market,   there   is   always  a   risk   that   they  will   not  be  able   to   sync  with  each  other.  If  a  user  has  to  control  each  device  individually,  it  defeats  the  purpose  of  home  automation.  Also,  certain  protocols  limit  the  number  of  devices  that  can   be   used.   And   upgrading   to   devices   with   a   different   protocol   could   be  very  costly.  

   

Devices  connected  to  the  Internet  or  that  have  a  network  which  can  be  breached  always  pose  a  security  threat  for  their  users.  

 

 

14  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

High  Adoption  Costs  The   current   costs   of   smart   home   devices   are   much   higher   than   the  equivalent  non-­‐smart  devices  on  the  market.  

Figure  11:  Cost  of  Selected  Smart  Home  Devices  vs.  Traditional  Devices  on  Amazon.com  (USD)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source:  Amazon.com/FBIC  Global  Retail  &  Technology  

Added   to   the   individual   costs   of   the   devices   is   the   cost   of   hard   wiring   or  retrofitting   the   house   in   which   they   will   be   used.   Until   all   this   becomes  affordable,   we   might   see   only   a   smaller   group   of   consumers   adopting  connected  home  technology.  

THE  WAY  AHEAD  FOR  CONNECTED  HOMES  

Consumers   see   many   benefits   of   adopting   a   smart   home   system   and  demand  for  smart  home  products  will  grow  in  the  next  few  years.  The  rate  of   adoption,   however,   might   be   slower   than   some   predict   until  manufacturers   address   two   key  matters:   interoperability   between   devices  and  the  cost  of  adoption.  We  think  manufacturers  and  developers  will  likely  find   a   resolution   to   interoperability   sooner   rather   than   later,   considering  recent   acquisitions   by   the   big   players,   such   as   Samsung   and   Google,   the  development   of   platforms   such   as   Thread   and   HomeKit,   and   the   natural  competition  between  these  pioneers  to  create  a  language  that  will  be  “the  one”   that  all  devices   speak.  The   resolution  of   the  adoption  cost  hinges  on  the  industry  standardizing  itself,  which  should  follow  once  a  single  language  is  established.  

KEEP  READING  FOR  MORE  ON  SMART  HOMES  

Finally,   keep   an   eye   out   in   the   coming   weeks   for   FBIC   Global   Retail   &  Technology’s   follow-­‐up   reports   showcasing   leading   brands   and   innovating  companies  in  each  of  the  following  smart-­‐home  categories:  

• Home  Security  • Lighting,  Temperature  and  Climate  Control,  Energy  Management,  and  

Overall  Control  • Kitchen  and  Other  Home  Equipment  • Home  Entertainment    

   

$250  

$24  

$199  

$40  

$249  

$19  

$199  

$34  

$193  

$35  

August  Smart  Lock  

Regular  Deadbolt  Master  Lock  

Philips  Hue  Starter  Pack  of  3  Lights  &  WiFI  

Regular  Philips  Lights  Pack  of  12  

Nest  Learning  Thermostat,  2nd  Generabon  

Honeywell  1  Week  Programmable  

Nest  Cam  

GE  Home  Monitoring  Wired  Camera  

iKeile  

Hamilton  Beach  Electric  Keile  

 

15  

October 22, 2015

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR–HEAD  OF  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2015  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

 

 Deborah  Weinswig,  CPA  Executive  Director—Head  of  Global  Retail  &  Technology  Fung  Business  Intelligence  Centre  New  York:  917.655.6790    Hong  Kong:  852  6119  1779  China:  86.186.1420.3016  [email protected]    Filippo  Battaini  [email protected]  

Sunny  Chan,  CFA  [email protected]  

Marie  Driscoll,  CFA  [email protected]  

John  Harmon,  CFA  [email protected]  

Aragorn  Ho  [email protected]  

John  Mercer  [email protected]  

Shoshana  Pollack  [email protected]    

Kiril  Popov  [email protected]  

Jing  Wang    [email protected]  

Steven  Winnick  [email protected]  

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