Home automation is on the rise across the globe and South Africa is swiftly following suit. It’s easy to see why, as tomorrow’s tech savvy consumers can easily control energy efficiency, ensure safety, and reduce their carbon footprint, conveniently from the palm of their hands thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT).
The World Economic Forum says that the carbon footprint of homes represents around 20% of all global CO2 emissions, with the residential sector expected to become the most prominent electricity consumer by 2050.
In 2022, South African short-term insurers reported a 60% increase in claims for destruction to people’s property due to power surges as a consequence of load shedding.
As people get older, hazards abound in most homes and doing simple tasks can seem monumental as a result of deteriorating eyesight, impaired mobility and the risk of falling. While family members and caregivers can provide them with support, ageing adults might feel that this reliance is stripping them of their independence.