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Old concept new concept 2015 smart home road
Smart homes may not seem like a cutting-edge concept today, but its origins date back to the 1980s in the United States. In 1984, United Technologies Corporation introduced the idea of integrating building equipment with information systems in the "Urban Building" in Hartford, Connecticut. This marked the birth of the first "smart building," which primarily relied on computer systems to monitor and control functions such as air conditioning, elevators, and lighting. It also provided advanced communication services like voice mail and digital information—features that are now standard in modern smart homes.
In the 1990s, companies like Cisco and Microsoft helped shape the smart home vision. Cisco introduced the concept of the "Internet of Everything," which laid the foundation for what we now call the Internet of Things (IoT). Microsoft, known for setting industry standards, launched the "Venus Plan" in 1999, an ambitious project aimed at integrating home automation. Although it didn't succeed at the time, Microsoft has continued to invest in smart home technology, with the Xbox console serving as a key platform to enter the living room.
In recent years, tech giants like Google and Apple have taken the lead in smart home innovation. Google's acquisition of NEST demonstrated its serious commitment to the space, while Apple has been steadily integrating smart home features into its iOS ecosystem. With iOS 8 and beyond, Apple has introduced multiple smart home modules, signaling its long-term strategy in this growing market.
Looking at the global landscape, Japanese and South Korean companies, despite their strong presence in traditional home appliances, have struggled to keep up with the software-driven smart home movement. Their focus has been more on hardware than on creating integrated platforms, which puts them at a disadvantage compared to Western tech firms.
In China, the smart home market presents both opportunities and challenges. Unlike the U.S., where software dominates, or Japan and South Korea, where hardware is strong, China's home appliance industry benefits from a less competitive environment. However, there are still major issues to address: the market remains underdeveloped, there's no clear business model, and products often fail to meet real user needs. Additionally, many companies operate in isolation, leading to closed systems and poor interoperability.
For Chinese smart home companies, the path forward requires a better understanding of consumer needs, stronger collaboration across industries, and a shift toward open, integrated solutions. Only then can the full potential of smart homes be realized.