The adoption of smart technology in the home is increasing but it doesn’t have to be overly complex. Scott Brewer, Head of Technical at Knightsbridge, explains why.
Smart technology in the home has been a hot topic for a number of years now, yet does the hype match the reality? Are householders adopting smart technology in droves, creating connected homes that can be controlled either by a phone App or smart speaker?
According to recent research by techUK, an organisation that promotes technology advancement and adoption, the answer is ‘not really’ or perhaps ‘not fully’.
One finding from the research really underlines where we’re currently at with the adoption and utilisation of smart devices – despite the strong growth of smart speakers over the last few years (7% ownership in 2017, to 29% in 2020), when it comes to using smart speakers to control other devices at home, less than half of owners are doing this. Instead, they’re more likely to ask Alexa to play music, give them the news or weather, or tell a joke, than to switch on the lights or turn down the thermostat. The connection has not been made, literally.
Of course, early adopters are probably using smart speakers to do a whole host of things, but the fact remains that for many the approach to ‘smart’ is inconsistent, not joined up or they fail to see the benefits.
But ‘smart’ doesn’t have to be complicated and can offer the enterprising installer the opportunity to ‘sell’ up. If you can create a simple-to-use smart system that offers convenience, flexibility and scalability for your customer, then that’s got to be good for business. And that’s where our latest range of Knightsbridge smart products comes in.
Independently tested products
Designed to be easily installed and quickly configured into the SmartKnight App, the wiring accessories and lighting products can be controlled via a smartphone. All your customer has to do is download the App to their smartphone from either Google Play or the Apple App store and follow the instructions.
One thing that’s worth noting is that the entire smart product range has been sent to Google and Amazon for independent testing and approval beforehand. That’s why you’ll see the official ‘works with’ logo, rather than ‘compatible with’, which some systems will use.
Once downloaded your customer will be able to take advantage of all the useful features of the App, such as timers, schedules, scenes, and geo-fencing (so devices can activate when the customer gets home). And what could be more convenient than issuing instructions to either Alexa or Google Assistant to turn down lights or turn off connected appliances?
At the heart of the Knightsbridge smart home portfolio are the two 13A, 2-gang, smart switched sockets, manufactured to match the designs of the existing square and curved edge range of moulded switches and sockets.
These feature a power monitoring function so that the homeowner can see live power usage on the socket in kWh and a green indicator on the socket shows if the relevant gang is on. Appliances attached to the socket will be controllable remotely or by voice. For outdoor use there’s an IP66, 2-gang switched socket, that works up to 40m from the house depending on Wi-Fi signal coverage.
Fun options available
Where your customer will have most fun is with the range of smart LED downlights which can be controlled via the SmartKnight App to provide a raft of lighting scenarios. Depending on the model installed, they can vary not only the colour temperature from warm white to daylight and everything in between but also the RGB colour with over 16 million options available.
The range also features a number of useful ancillaries to extend the smart capability of the home such as a 16A smart plug, a 10A 3-gang smart extension lead with quad USB charger, and smart motion and entry sensors.
Whatever your customer’s appetite for ‘smart’ may be, the Knightsbridge range can help to satisfy it. But remember, don’t just sell product, sell smart – it’ll pay dividends in the long run.
View the 2021 Knightsbridge catalogue by clicking here
