Home Automation and Security Going Mainstream

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[size=\"2\"]Home automation products have long existed in small numbers, but a new study from ABI Research says that a technology shift now under way is opening up a new mainstream consumer market and creating a new opportunity for broadband and telephone service providers, according to ABI Research.[/size]For 30 years, home automation equipment to control lights, blinds, access and heating/air-conditioning fell into two broad categories: custom-installed systems for luxury homes from companies such as AMX and Crestron that cost an average of $60-70,000; and low-end DIY products using technologies such as X10, aimed at tech-savvy enthusiasts. The expense of the former and the limitations and unreliability of the latter acted to constrain the size of the market.
Recently, however, a new breed of standards-based wireless technologies such as ZigBee and Z-Wave promise a middle ground. According to senior analyst Sam Lucero, “The introduction of ZigBee, Z-Wave and similar standards-based technologies has led to new systems for mainstream consumers. There are two main categories: comprehensive but more economical systems for the consumer to own; and home automation and monitoring as a managed service offered by broadband and telco service providers.”
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See press release at http://security.tekrati.com/research/10191/

Story on ABI Reserach website at  http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/HAS