Smart home applications more and more popular

More and more people in Germany are using smart home devices and applications. This was the result of a survey by the digital association Bitkom. Lamps and lusters are the most popular smart devices.

In the meantime, 41 percent of Germans have networked devices in their homes. In 2020, it was 37 percent and 31 percent in 2019. This is the result of a representative survey of 1,269 people in Germany, conducted on behalf of the digital association Bitkom.

According to the survey, the most widely used applications are smart lamps and lights, which are already in use by 29 percent – an increase of 6 pct. In particular, applications from the security sector have increased: Almost a quarter (23 percent) usees smart video surveillance (2020: 16 percent) and a fifth (21 percent) a smart alarm system. Controllable shutters or awnings are also popular (13 percent), and a growing number of people are also relying on the services of robots: 16 percent currently use robotic lawn mowers (2020: 8 percent), while 13 percent use robotic vacuum cleaners.

Somewhat less widespread are household appliances such as smart washing machines or refrigerators (4 percent). »Most smart home systems are uncomplicated to use at home, install and expand as required. The devices of the individual manufacturers are becoming increasingly compatible with each other, so that they can be networked together or controlled via a common platform,« says Bitkom CEO Dr. Bernhard Rohleder. There is also a particular focus on environmental protection: Smart radiators and thermostats have already been installed by 17 percent of German citizens. They are able to optimally adjust the temperature in the home – for example, depending on whether ventilation is currently taking place, whether people are present, and in some cases even taking the weather forecast into account.

Reasons for and against smart home applications

When asked for reasons for using smart home applications, the vast majority of users (78 percent) point to increased comfort and quality of life. 69 percent want to make their homes safer and 62 percent want to live more energy-efficiently. A quarter (26 percent) want to access devices regardless of location, and 21 percent want to save money. Interesting detail: 18 percent use smart home applications because landlords had already installed them in the apartment. One tenth use smart-home use smart-home applications for the fun of making things and using technology.

Nevertheless, there are also reservations – often to do with perceived insecurity. Of the group of people who are not interested in smart home applications, 37 percent say the price is too high. 32 percent feel that operation is too complicated, and 29 percent think installation is too time-consuming. Above all, however, people do not use them because they are worried about hacker attacks (41 percent). This is followed by fear of misuse of personal data (39 percent). And 32 percent are generally afraid of losing their privacy.