Mass market consumers have no interest in home automation a new study has concluded. Presented today at the 2009 CES show in Las Vegas the report could lead to several Companies like Whirlpool and Proctor and Gamble delaying the release of new products that incorporate smart technology.
Whirlpool, the appliance maker, has conducted several smart-home research and pilot studies over the past few years said "Whirlpool is a mass company. I don't bring products out until there is a mass market." Said Carol Priefert a senior manager with the Whirlpool technology group.
The study was sponsored by companies that included Whirlpool, Cisco Systems, Direct Energy, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and LG.
The report concludes that the technical foundation to make smart homes a reality is spreading. In 2008, 78 percent of Australian households had broadband Internet, up from 70 percent in 2005.
What is needed is a "killer app" — a compelling use — and some government encouragement, according to Tim Woods, a partner in the consulting firm Poco Labs and an expert in smart home technology.
The killer app, Mr. Woods said, will be energy efficiency. To jumpstart that market, he said, the federal government will need to mandate the installation of smart meters in homes.
 Woods also said that the government needs to guide the development of open standards in hardware and software, so the smart meters can communicate with a television set-top box, mobile phones or PC's. Those devices will serve as remote controls that allow a person to see how much energy a house is consuming, at what cost and suggest heating, lighting and air conditioning settings to save money.
Once a technology platform is in place, Mr. Woods predicts, the smart-home market for intelligent appliances and other devices will take off. "The business excuse is going to come from energy management," he said. "And that is what will allow the broader smart-home vision around time-saving and convenience to gain momentum."