Why Smart Homes Must Be Simple and Seamless
As the global appetite for smart homes grows, so does the need for simplicity, standardization, and seamless integration. Raimondo Salandra, Business Line Leader for Home Solutions at ABB Smart Buildings, shares insights from global markets and cutting-edge developments to explore how intuitive design and interoperability can unlock the full potential of connected living.
Home automation is no longer just a luxury, it is fast becoming a fundamental component of modern living. Homes are evolving into sustainable, cost-effective, comfortable spaces where innovations like the Internet of Things (IoT) empower residents to manage their energy consumption and carbon footprint, while at the same time enjoying the comforts of modern living at their fingertips.
This revolution is gaining speed. By 2028, the number of smart home users in Germany is projected to reach almost 40 million[1]. In the UK, adoption is set to reach 50% of the UK population in the same year[2]. The message is clear: smart integration is no longer optional, it is expected.
However, as the smart home market matures, so does its complexity. For many homeowners, developers and installers alike, the challenge is no longer whether to adopt smart technology, but how to make it simple, scalable and future-ready. Placing simplicity and interoperability at the core of smart home design and implementation is essential to unlocking its full potential.
Simplicity drives adoption
The market today is saturated with disconnected products. Faced with too many choices, consumers often feel overwhelmed. The key to adoption lies in making smart systems intuitive rather than intimidating. A truly smart home isn’t necessarily the one with the most devices; it is the one that solves real needs with minimal friction, without feeling overly technical or complicated. When people find a solution that is simple, affordable and works – when they can just ‘set it and forget it’ – that is when they truly commit.
Prioritize interoperability
Modern eco and tech-savvy homeowners expect a unified experience. ABB’s support of universal protocols like Matter and Thread means that users can manage everything from lighting and electric vehicle (EV) charging to washing machines and heat pumps through a single interface – whether that be Apple Home or Google Home. That is what users want: fewer apps, more harmony. It is about reducing ‘app clutter’ and making home automation as seamless as flipping a light switch. This is especially important when end-users are managing multiple systems such as lighting, HVAC and energy in one place.
Design with the whole home in mind
A smart system should be planned holistically. From day one, developers and homeowners need to consider comfort, energy efficiency, usability and security, along with the potential for future upgrades. The goal is not tech for tech’s sake, it is about solving everyday problems – saving energy, staying safe or avoiding water leaks while you are on holiday – and creating environments that adapt to the way people actually live. With the ABB-free@home® system, for example, all the functions of the smart home can be controlled from any location via the ABB-free@home® Next app.
Empower the installer
While DIY devices are on the rise, they are no substitute for a fully integrated home. That is why, at ABB, the installer is still our biggest influencer and decision-maker. We focus on providing professionals with solutions that are both quick to commission and easy to replicate across multiple properties or developments.
A notable example is the "ZWO" project in Bocholt, Germany, where integrators transformed a former furniture store into 42 energy-efficient apartments. ABB’s home automation and smart controls, including over 1,700 sockets and ABB Tenton® control panels, were integrated with TEKLOTH intelligence software to enable seamless management of lighting, blinds, and heat pumps – boosting resident comfort, energy savings, and energy efficiency.
Tech that blends in – and stands out
Smart doesn’t mean sacrificing aesthetics – design still matters. Connected devices are now part of the decoration of the house, but residents crave both design and tech – it is not ‘either-or’ anymore. ABB’s Busch-art linear® range of wiring accessories reflect this shift, employing tactile, sustainable materials. Made from recycled material including old headlights and CDs and available in a range of colours, they meet both visual and functional needs, elevating the visual and physical experience of a smart space via integration with ABB smart home systems, ABB-free@home® and ABB i-bus® KNX.
Designing for what’s next: from smarter homes to smarter communities
With technology evolving at dizzying speed, smart homes must be designed with the future in mind. This means not only anticipating the next wave of innovation – like AI-driven predictive comfort or decentralized energy – but also ensuring that the digital foundations are solid. Interoperability and data privacy are essential: residents expect systems to work seamlessly together, without compromising their security. The ability to control your environment without signing in or sharing data is not just a feature, but a future-proof value proposition. Everything stays in your home. The building blocks are already in place. The challenge now is making them visible, intuitive, and ready to evolve.
But the evolution doesn’t stop at the front door. The next natural step is interconnected smart communities, where intelligent homes collaborate to improve energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability on a larger scale. Sweden’s Brobyholm project exemplifies this shift[3]: a pioneering ‘exhurb’ outside Stockholm where ABB’s free@home® system integrates with Samsung SmartThings to offer residents unified control of their energy, appliances, and security. The entire community grid is balanced and optimized through virtual energy sharing, all in pursuit of a fossil-fuel-free future. Brobyholm offers a tantalizing glimpse of what’s possible when homes are designed not just for now, but for the ‘what’s next’.
Consumer expectations are evolving – simplicity is king
In today’s smart home landscape, consumer expectations are evolving fast, and in the brave new world of smart homes, simplicity is king. As technology grows more powerful behind the scenes, so, conversely, must usability become more straightforward. Systems need to be intuitive and seamless, as well as easy to install or hand over to a professional.
Sources:
1. Statistica: Number of users of smart homes in Germany 2019-2028
2.Statista: Number of users of smart homes in the United Kingdom
3. ABB: Sweden’s Brobyholm project
[1] Statistica: Number of users of smart homes in Germany 2019-20
[2] Statista: Number of users of smart homes in the United Kingdom
[3] ABB: Sweden’s Brobyholm project