August 19, 2014

2014 State of the Internet of Things Study from Accenture Interactive Predicts 69 Percent of Consumers Will Own an In-Home IoT Device by 2019

Study also finds ownership of wearable devices will double in the next year

CHICAGO; August 19, 2014 – Consumer adoption of network connected technology is on the rise, with 69 percent of consumers planning to buy an in-home device in the next five years, according to the 2014 State of the Internet of Things Study. By the end of next year, a total of about 13 percent of consumers will own an in-home IoT device such as a thermostat or in-home security camera. Currently, only about 4 percent of those surveyed own such a device.

Adoption of wearable IoT technology such as smart watches and fitness devices is also expected to gradually increase, with nearly half of consumers already owning or planning to purchase a device in this category in the next five years.

The study was conducted by Acquity Group, a leading Brand eCommerce® and digital marketing agency, now part of Accenture Interactive. The Internet of Things describes the digital connection of physical, identifiable devices to the Internet where the data and devices communicate in an intelligent fashion.

Fit-Tech Expects High Yields Early; In-Home Tech Longer-Term Investment
Wearable fitness devices will generate the most mass consumer adoption in the next year, with 22 percent of consumers already owning or planning to make a purchase by 2015.

While findings reveal consumers are more likely in the next year to adopt connected devices that emphasize health and safety, they are most focused on how IoT products can provide integration to help them live more conveniently long term.

Taking into account respondents who already own these products, the following connected devices are expected to be most popular over the next few years:\

• Wearable fitness devices (Expected to have 22 percent adoption by 2015; Expected to have 43 percent adoption in the next five years).
• Smart thermostats (13 percent projected adoption in the next year; 43 percent in the next five years).
• Connected security systems (11 percent adoption in the next year; 35 percent in the next five years).

Smart clothing and heads-up displays are expected to see the least overall adoption, with only 3 percent projected adoption in the next year, and 14 and 16 percent in the next five years.

Majority of Self-Identified Late Adopters Plan to Purchase IoT Devices by 2019
The research reveals ownership will also extend from tech-savvy consumers to late adopters in the next five years. Both plan to purchase wearable and in-home IoT devices by 2019:

• 92 percent of those who considered themselves mass consumers on the adoption curve and 78 percent of late adopters say they’ll purchase an in-home IoT device in the next five years; 45 percent of consumers and 26 percent of late adopters plan to purchase an in-home device in the next two years.
• 75 percent of consumers and 62 percent of late adopters say they’ll purchase a wearable device in the next five years; 42 percent of consumers and 24 percent of late adopters plan to purchase a wearable device in the next two years.

“These digital devices present major opportunities for improving a brand’s customer experience for a range of consumers,” said Jay Dettling, president of Acquity Group. “Our data reveals that it’s not only tech enthusiasts who are interested in these kinds of products, but late adopters who also express interest in buying them.”

Expected Wearable Growth Varies by Gender and Age
More than twice as many men as women say they have heard of the IoT (nearly 19 percent versus just over 8 percent). The study indicates men are slightly farther ahead on the adoption curve than women, with men more likely to identify as early adopters:

• 53 percent of men plan to purchase wearable technology in the next five years, compared to 45 percent of women — however, when it comes to wearable fitness devices, women are slightly more likely to have already adopted than men (8 percent compared to 7 percent).
• Men are more likely to plan to purchase an in-home IoT device, such as a smart refrigerator, in the next five years compared to women (70 percent compared to 67 percent).

Younger consumers are most likely to adopt connected technologies later on, while older consumers are slightly more likely to already own certain products:

• 53 percent of Millennials (ages 18-25) plan to buy an in-home IoT technology device in the next five years, compared to 32 percent of Baby Boomers (over the age of 45).
• 36 percent of Millennials plan to adopt wearable technology in the next five years compared to 25 percent of Baby Boomers.
• 45 percent of Baby Boomers plan to adopt a smart thermostat in the next five years, compared to 35 percent of Millennials.
• 59 percent of Generation X consumers (ages 26-35) plan to adopt wearable fitness technology in the next five years, compared to 47 percent of Millennials.

In-Home Technology Growth Varies by Region
The findings of the nationwide study indicate that consumers living in the top ten largest U.S. cities are more likely to identify as early adopters than the national average. Findings also varied by region:

• 74 percent of consumers living in the Northeast plan to adopt an in-home IoT device in the next five years, compared with 68 percent in the Midwest and 66 percent in the Southeast.
• Consumers living in the Northeast are approximately 50 percent more likely to adopt a smart smoke detector in the next year than those living in the Southeast and Midwest.
• 58 percent of consumers living in the Northeast plan to adopt wearable technology in the next five years, with the Southeast and Midwest close behind at 57 and 55 percent.

“The growth of these devices will have a major impact on customer experience innovation across industries,” added Dettling. “Adoption of IoT technologies can provide digital businesses high-quality brand engagement opportunities with customers and drive more revenues.”

The Acquity Group 2014 State of the Internet of Things Study surveyed more than 2,000 consumers across the United States to gain insight into their preferences for and barriers against use of the Internet of Things. The survey analyzed consumer behavior across a variety of areas, including current adoption, perception, barriers and plans for future adoption. Results were broken down based on demographics, including age, gender and location. As a leading provider of digital marketing, interactive design, and eCommerce solutions, Acquity Group works with some of the world’s largest brands to improve the user experience, leading to increased revenue and loyalty. Acquity Group completed this survey to help executives in B2Ccompanies gain a better understanding of how consumers view IoT and connected technologies, as well as future plans for adoption.

About Accenture Interactive
Accenture Interactive helps the world’s leading brands delight their customers and drive superior marketing performance across the full multichannel customer experience. As part of Accenture Digital, Accenture Interactive works with over 23,000 Accenture professionals dedicated to serving marketing and digital clients to offer integrated, industrialized and industry-driven digital transformation and marketing services. Follow @AccentureSocial or visit accenture.com/interactive.

About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 293,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$28.6 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2013. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

# # #

Contact:

Teja Patankar
Acquity Group
+ 917 452 0270
teja.patankar@accenture.com