NEWS WE HAVE SEEN THE
NEWS WE HAVE SEEN THE INTRODUCTION OF SMART HOME PRODUCTS WHICH PROVIDE SIMPLE AND EASY BENEFITS Giacomo Marini Chairman & CEO, Neato Robotics Giacomo Marini, Chairman and CEO at Neato Robotics, says that one of the hero trends in the robot vacuum space is connectivity within the smart home. We asked him for his thoughts on smart products and what the future holds for the robotic cleaning category... Our innovation is focused on how our products can connect and work with other smart products in the home, offering seamless operability. Neato has full connectivity with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Neato AI Set to Drive Robot Vac Sector New devices from Neato will "weave themselves seamlessly" into the connected home Chatbot for Facebook and now IFTTT. Our stategy at IFA 2017 builds on this with the launch of the Botvac D7 Connected, our most advanced robot vacuum, further cementing Neato’s commitment to innovation that enhances people’s lives. When do you expect that robot vacuums will become mainstream? Over the last few years we have seen the introduction of smart home products which provide simple and easy benefits; services which focus on voice activation, climate control, lighting and surveillance. With the mass development of AI, the barriers of adoption are lowering and therefore becoming much more mainstream. This is where we are now seeing interesting developments, as more advanced solutions for the home, including robotic cleaning are really becoming a tangible and popular choice. What are the key benefits of your products? The Botvac D7 Connected represents a significant step forward in the future of the smart home. We are absolutely thrilled to launch this product, which is a culmination of Neato’s innovation and leadership in the robot vacuum market. The key benefits of our new model, include the new Neato FloorPlanner Advanced Mapping & Cleaning Technology which allows users to create a cleaning map of their home. The Neato Botvac D7 Connected is also launching with IFTTT compatibility, giving customers full control over their robot vacuum with flexibility and convenience. These new additions allow Neato robot vacuums to weave themselves seamlessly into the connected home, allowing wider integration with Apple Watch, Neato ChatBot for Facebook, Amazon Alexa and Google Home. In addition, Neato is also releasing a brand new mobile app, dubbed the “SmartLife Edition”, that will support all Botvac Connected models. How important is IFA to Neato? IFA is undoubtedly the big date in our calendar when it comes to product news and unveiling. We see it as a primary platform in which we showcase the creative innovation and next level technology that differentiates us from the competitive market. IFA celebrates the greatest in technological advancements and it’s an honour to be in the mix with some of the tech giants from across the globe. Will robot vacuums takeoff, as part of the trend for connected living? Connected living is more than just a future trend, it’s truly becoming where we are headed now. If you look across the tech spectrum, you will see all market leaders focusing on some element of connected living. From the extensive research done into the market, through not only ourselves but many other organisations, it is clear that this is what the consumer demands and they are ready to embrace connectivity. To be able to communicate with your home and interact with it, rather than just exist within it, is a luxury that is now obtainable. What does the future hold for the robotic vacuums market? There is a huge amount of potential growth to be achieved across this industry, and in some markets more than others. The adoption and growth over the last few years, coupled with the superior advancements in technology, mean the future is only headed one way and robotic cleaning is firmly part of it Hall 6.2 Stand 138 8
NEWS Realising the Fully Connected Home Miele boss says a common standard is the route to seamless home connectivity WORLD CUP PUTS HISENSE AHEAD OF THE GAME The fully connected home in which products from different manufacturers can be controlled seamlessly is up to a decade away, according to Dr Reinhard Zinkann, Miele’s Executive Director and Co-Proprietor. “There is no joint standard; to have a real connected home you need to have one standard to be able to control everything from your alarm system and lights to your oven and washing machine,” he said. “There are still a few pieces of the puzzle missing,” the Miele boss added. “It’s very difficult to predict when a joint standard will be available. Looking at the speed that things have changed in the last five years, my gut feeling is five to 10 years, but it may well be faster.” Dr Zinkann, who is also a Member of the Board of ZVEI and President of CECED, explained that all appliances should be able to be controlled by remote control and, therefore, be connected. “A common standard is missing, but I am pretty positive that it will come – the demand for a fully connected home is not the same in all countries of the world,” he said. Miele has more than 400 appliances that connect in different ways – including a cooker that communicates with the cooker hood, appliances that can be started remotely, or washing machines that detect low detergent levels and then notify the user to order more. “The future will enable suppliers A, B and C to be connected together using a joint standard,” said Dr Zinkann. “We need to define an industry standard where one signal is received by all the appliances.” In this vein, BSH Home Appliances, the parent company of Bosch and Siemens, has developed the Home Connect system, which both brands are promoting at IFA. Dr Reinhard Zinkann Executive Director and Co-Proprietor, Miele Olaf Nedorn, Head of Marketing and Communications at Siemens, said: “At IFA 2017, Siemens is showing home appliances being part of an ecosystem of various appliances in one house. We are stepping back a little and saying that home appliances are one part of the whole ecosystem.” Nedorn believes that consumers increasingly understand the connected world, and is confident that progress is being made - even of a universal connecting platform between brands is missing. “Users can use our appliances using Alexa, a home automation system or THE FUTURE WILL ENABLE SUPPLIERS A, B AND C TO BE CONNECTED TOGETHER, USING A JOINT STANDARD our own Home Connect app,” he said. “Home Connect is an open platform, but no other competitor has opted to join it,” Nedorn added. “There might be changes, but up until now manufacturers are doing their own thing” Hisense has announced it is to engage in a joint R&D initiative with FIFA to further push the boundaries of display technology as part of the company’s sponsorship of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. This is Hisense’s first appearance at IFA since it was announced earlier this year that the company is to sponsor of the event. Hisense Group President, Liu Hongxin, sees the FIFA World Cup as one of the most significant sporting events in the world, rivaled only by the Olympic Games. For Hisense – the world’s third-largest television manufacturer – sponsoring the tournament not only serves as a massive marketing opportunity, but also as a strategic initiative for the entire enterprise. "Over the years, Hisense has earned a lot of experience and brand growth through sports sponsorships," Liu said. “We believe [the World Cup] will vastly improve global awareness and economic value for Hisense as a truly international brand.” For FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, the sponsorship is important for the promotion of the tournament in China “where the company is a market leader in consumer electronics, and where the popularity of football continues to grow" Hall 6.2 Stand 202 www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Wednesday 6 th September 2017 9
