Under control

- The smart home is firm in advance. Consumers like to link everything in the house together and check from the smartphone. They also keep a close eye on their health.

Systems that enhance safety and provide control over everything that happens in the house, are the most sought after. Followed by smart energy and lighting systems, followed by entertainment, according to a study by market researcher GfK.

There is much interest in operating equipment to connect to the Internet, as well as devices that promote health and keep an eye on. About half of the consumers find these electronics for your home attractive.

GfK made this known at the IFA Global Conference held recently in Hong Kong. IFA, Europe's largest trade fair for consumer electronics, has released a Chinese edition. Especially since European electronics companies represented themselves to buyers of large e-commerce companies such as Alibaba and Suning.

Philips showed there last year announced health watch that is to be connected via Bluetooth to an Android or iOS phone. This watch is leading for 220 euros on the market in September. Be measured include heart rate, calories burned and sleep patterns. Unlike the competition, Philips focuses this gadget primary health rather than fitness.

The smart watch is part of a series of Philips devices that help you to live better. They regularly measure a person's health and keep medical data centrally on the Internet at. Previously released an online scales and blood pressure were which can be connected to the internet. The combined measurement of various devices with each other so that a better picture of a person's well-being. Philips further distinguishes itself by offering individual coaching. An app has its limitations; Experience shows that better results are achieved when people are regularly supervised personally. A coach can often better assess the measurement data, while the latter's presence also motivating.

Two years ago, has already set up such a program around the warm LED light that combats lower back pain. The big insurer Allianz tried the system with coaches at their own workers with chronic back pain. According to Bernd Laudahn, marketing director at Philips Germany, absenteeism is almost halved among this group. Allianz will now also offer to other companies this program. BMW and Shell are among the customers. The intention is that consumers who use medical smartwatch at a later stage, can subscribe to coaching. The watch is specifically intended to combat cardiovascular disease and respiratory problems. Also you can prevent diabetes by improving lifestyle.

The success of some household appliances also stems from the need to live healthier. Especially in China's air purifiers are not dragging. Also blenders, juicers smart and low-fat fryers sell well.

Many growth comes from innovation, says market researcher GfK Udo Jansen. Connectivity is the magic word. More and more people scales, coffee makers, refrigerators, washing machines, electric toothbrushes and balances linked to the internet.

Worldwide, up to 2030 the number of singles with more than 40 percent. The remote controlled robot vacuum cleaner is an example of a class of devices that are suitable for single households par excellence. The same applies to multi cookers where you do not have to be always on. Connectivity is no longer a luxury, but seen as a necessity.

However, there are large differences in interest in innovative devices that fit into the smart house. The Chinese and Koreans ahead. They'd pull their wallet for example, washing machines that dispense themselves with washing powder. In contrast, the Germans remain somewhat bit behind while the Japanese dangling behind. GfK expects global smart house is pretty quick commonplace as the price gap with conventional equipment is rapidly shrinking.