Wearables & Home Automation

“How do we get more out of our wearable technology?”

Every year we’re introduced to a set of new wearable technologies. Each one promising more sensors and functionality. Almost always every one of them under delivering the promise of a device that can monitor and give you actionable data. Sure it tracks our steps, heart, sleep and now chat, email and reminders. Yet it still isn’t compelling enough. A report from Endeavour Partners state one-third of consumers are abandoning there wearable after only 6 months. So how do we get more out of our wearable technology?

Before we get to augmenting lets briefly touch on the wearable market today. For starters its huge and getting bigger. Estimated TAM is in the 15 Billion USD mark by 2017. The combination of smartwatches, fitness bands and other on-body devices in 2016 is looking at reaching 322 million devices sold worldwide. That’s some serious numbers considering there questionable use and abandonment rates. There is obviously a big demand for a device that informs, tracks and responds to our bodies.

The day wearable devices offer personalized actionable health and fitness advise is soon to come to be sure.

In the meantime these are small devices, comfortable to wear for extended periods and generally use simple UI’s. They can lend themselves to other uses. Today I propose we extend there use to Home Automation. I believe they have a unique value proposition in this area seeing as they are attached to us for the most part 24x7.

“fitness bands and other on-body devices in 2016 is looking at reaching 322 million devices sold worldwide.”

Life in the day of a wearable

The info-graphic/ journey map above shows a day in the life of a wearable and its wearer. The band travels with you through different spaces (Zones) each having unique technologies the band can interact with either manually or automatically. Example Scenario: You’re approaching your apartment the door unlocks and the blinds swig open. Lights turn on dependent on where you are and time of day (add heart rate to offer different lighting for each mood). Temperature control adjusts in reaction to your bands skin sensors if available. You reach out to your phone/laptop/ tablet, it unlocks for use and locks again when you’re finished with it. If an activity requires actions tap the band to change songs or movie being played. As you leave the zone lighting and appliances switches off saving valuable power. When you retire for the night and fall sleep, lighting, security and temperature control activate automatically. In the morning a similar scenario takes place with specific requirements being met such as making coffee and locking down the house as you leave for work.

This example flow is really just the beginning of what these powerful wearables could be used for if combined with our household appliances. I’m sure you could come up with many many more ideas.

Frank Amodeo Feb 2016