Keeping a home safe and secure is the major reason to adopt smart home technologies according to a new European poll from D-Link revealed today. The results of research conducted across Europe with over 8,500 respondents, show the current levels of awareness and adoption of Smart devices at home, and provide insight into what people see as the major possibilities.

According to the research, the main reason to purchase a smart home device is to “make my home safer”, with twice as many people driven by this than the aim of saving money.  To reinforce this focus on safety and security first, the three most popular products people are looking at buying this year are video surveillance cameras (23%), smart plugs (25%) and motion detectors (14%).

Advanced security tops the poll for what people would like smart home technologies to help with in the future. More specifically, when leaving the house, so no more worrying about whether a window has been left open.  Over a third also mentioned managing the house when going to bed, so no more having to go back downstairs to switch off the lights, or lying awake thinking the back door might be open. Despite the increase in music and film streaming services, only 13% saw entertainment as a main benefit.

“We wanted to find out what Smart home technology really means to people across Europe, and it’s clear that for many this about being able to have more control at home, principally over household security and safety” said Kevin Wen, President, D-Link Europe. “

Nearly a third of those polled simply want to automate the home and over 1 in 10 want smart devices to keep an eye on what their pets are up to or to improve how they are watching over their young children.

With many apps available to consumers across Europe, the study also revealed a clear desire to keep things simple, with over half stating they wanted to manage everything to do with the Smart home from one place on their phone.

Kevin Wen continued: “The results reinforce our strategy to remain focused on these consumer priorities, finding ways to make sure our technology is simple and easy to use, for example, access from one straightforward mydlink Home™ app.”

The top five activities that people would like smart home technologies to help with are:

1. Providing advanced security (44%)
2. Help leaving the house (36%)
3. Help manage the house before going to bed (27%)
4. To be welcomed home (26%)
5. Be entertained (15%

The top five reasons for purchasing a smart home device are:

1. To make my home safer (45%)
2. To automate my home (31%)
3. To remotely access and control my devices (26%)
4. To save money (18%)
5. To watch over my pets and children (13%)

About the research

Over 8,500 surveys were completed by D-Link customers in Austria,
Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands and UK.

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