The Smart Money: The Top 5 Smart Home Trends at CES

Samsung’s “AI for All” initiative takes this further by embedding AI in its appliances to create personalized and efficient home experiences. Devices like TVs and fridges will act as sensors for the SmartThings platform, enabling seamless integration across the home. AI embedded at the chip level allows devices to process and adapt locally, reducing reliance on costly cloud computing and enabling real-time coordination. Smart home systems can learn occupant patterns, suggest routines, and optimize energy and water usage, providing practical benefits.

While AI promises to make smart homes “truly smart,” concerns remain. Parks Associates research shows 33% of households avoiding generative AI cite privacy concerns.  Missteps in AI deployment, such as biased decision-making, could undermine consumer trust, making thoughtful implementation critical.

2. The smart home moves back to the hub. As the smart home expands beyond integrated systems to include devices as point solutions, more fragmentation has occurred, and consumers are not forced to use solutions requiring hubs or bridges. For example, multi-purpose devices like smart speakers are increasingly doubling as hubs.

Manufacturers are now embedding hub technology into devices to add value. At CES, LG introduced the second-generation LG SIGNATURE microwave, which integrates a hub for controlling LG ThinQ and Matter-enabled devices. Hubs operating at the edge, like Athom’s Homey Pro Mini, enhance security and processing speed. Aqara’s innovative wall hubs, such as the Panel Hub S1 Plus, further demonstrate the trend toward interactive and versatile smart home solutions.

Hubs are not currently a priority for today’s consumers – only 6% of device intenders see them as important – but the features they enable, such as ecosystem connectivity, are highly valued. For example, 56% of smart home intenders consider Alexa important as an ecosystem control platform, and 32% consider integration with security systems important. Consumers want simplicity, with 90% of smart home device owners favoring a single unified app to control their devices.

3. Matter is more relevant, but multi-protocol is the future. Updated protocols from the Thread Group and Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) are enhancing utility and desirability in connected homes. These protocols enable better coordination and instantaneous processing, preventing network slowdowns or timeouts.