90m homes may be automated globally by 2017

New York, May 23 (ANI): 90 million houses around the world will have some form of home automation system in place by 2017, a study revealed.

According to the study released May 16 by global technology trend forecasters ABI Research, home automation systems allow users to control aspects of their home, such as lighting or temperature, and monitor elements such as energy usage either remotely or from a central control panel.

The May 16 report by ABI Research estimates that by 2017 the demand for home automation systems will have grown by 60 percent, the New York Daily News reported.

This growth will be driven largely by the increasing levels of connectivity in our daily lives and the emergence - and expansion - of smartphone technology which allows users to monitor and control their home systems while on the move. Market changes are also doing away with expensive, up-front instillation costs, in favour of monthly subscription plans, making home automation systems more affordable for the mainstream consumer.

Some of the biggest home automation companies in North America are ADT, Comcast, Verizon, Lowe's, however the report predicts that demand will outstrip supply and create 'a raft of new partnerships.' (ANI)