Result
Twelve per cent of the population can imagine living in a so-called smart home - in other words, in a building that uses digital technologies specifically for greater comfort, security and energy efficiency. The approval rate is higher among men (14 per cent) than among women (nine per cent). At first glance, the figures seem cautious, but they already show a recognisable target group with an interest in technology. In addition, many people are already using individual smart home applications without recognising them as part of a larger system. Voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa and Google Home, app-controlled light sources, automatic roller shutters and smart thermostats have long been widespread. However, there is still a lack of awareness of these technologies as elements of a smart home.
Reasons
There are various reasons for the reluctance to embrace the complete smart home. First and foremost is the issue of data protection. The idea that devices could record conversations, pass on personal data or create movement profiles creates a feeling of surveillance among many citizens. Especially in the private sphere, there is a strong need for control and demarcation from technological interventions.
Economic factors also play a role. Purchasing smart home technology is considered expensive and the potential savings still seem abstract to many. In addition, there is uncertainty regarding technical compatibility: not all devices can be linked together and not every app communicates with every platform. Those who decide in favour of a system often commit themselves to one provider - a decision that has long-term consequences.
In addition to these structural hurdles, there is also a psychological component. Concerns about dependency grow with increasing automation. If the system fails, in the worst-case scenario neither the heating nor the light will work. Many people fear the loss of self-determination and prefer to fall back on familiar, manually controllable solutions.
Forecast
Despite these reservations, there is much to be said in favour of a positive development path. Smart home technologies will become more attractive as they become more suitable for everyday use. Systems are becoming more intuitive to use, more affordable and easier to network with each other. More and more providers are also focussing on open interfaces and simple retrofit solutions - without complex conversions or prior technical knowledge.
We can already see how digitally supported living makes everyday life easier: window contacts automatically regulate the heating when airing, smart lighting systems simulate presence and increase the feeling of security. Older people benefit from assistance functions that report falls or remind them to take their medication. Smart systems also offer new opportunities in terms of energy policy - for example through time-controlled control of washing machines or optimisation of self-consumption in solar systems.
The more visible the benefits become, the greater the willingness to integrate digital solutions into everyday living. Smart homes will therefore gradually evolve from a technological niche product to a sustainable living standard - after all, the systems help to combine convenience, sustainability and security in a smart way.
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