Matthew Pine, Vice President, Marketing at Carrier, provides insight on several key topics for the connected home before speaking at the annual CONNECTIONS Summit at CES:

What is the most important next step to engage consumers in smart home solutions, connected entertainment services, and/or value-added services like tech support and connected health?

The vital next step to engage consumers in smart home solutions is continued integration between IoT products and their compatible devices. Now, people use many different apps to control their IoT devices. To create a more streamlined experience, the number of apps required must be whittled down. There must also be progress toward a unified automation process so the consumers have one experience across multiple platforms.

Regarding services like connected health, the important next step will be leveraging big data when assessing system health and preventative diagnostics. By utilizing the data that is already available, consumers will benefit from greater visibility into the health of their system and greater efficiency of their systems.

What is the biggest challenge your company faces in 2016?

The biggest opportunity for Carrier in 2016 will be continued growth in wi-fi thermostat sales. This is a growth area being driven by the consumer, which is very exciting. Consumers are constantly looking to adopt smart devices in a meaningful way and we’re committed to working with our dealer base to make sure they’re fully equipped with the mechanical and wi-fi powered device know-how to exceed our customers’ expectations. 

What is the biggest driver for the connected consumer market?

Consumers are looking for simplicity and convenience in the connected consumer segment. They are looking for products that deliver an intuitive user experience while seamlessly connecting them to their homes, cars and families. Building on a century’s worth of home comfort innovation, Carrier has developed new products like the Carrier® Côr™ Home Automation System, that deliver to the connected consumer audience.

What are the most important initiatives your company is taking in 2016?

One of the most important initiatives at Carrier in 2016 is the continued integration of United Technologies’ industry-leading products. With the launch of products like the Carrier® Côr™ Home Automation System, consumers can control their home’s HVAC, security and fire prevention and protection systems with one device, managed by a single app. This integrated product allows Carrier to expand beyond energy efficient heating and cooling and deliver across multiple functions in the home – truly making the Cor the heart of a smarter home.

Describe your vision for the smart home and entertainment markets in 2020.

Carrier’s vision for the future of the smart home is a system that fully leverages big data and predictive diagnostics. The system of the future will be able to self-diagnose and self-optimize. Today we are often converging existing disparate systems, which makes it difficult to have a fully optimized home comfort system. In the future, homeowners will have one system that provides comfort, security and peace of mind. It’s coming very soon, and Carrier intends to be at the center of this movement.  

Matthew Pine will participate on the panel "IoT: Smart Home Solutions and Value-Added Services" on January 7 at 9:00am. Other speakers on the panel include Comcast Cable, Salus, Verizon, and Vivint. Make sure to add it to your CES schedule!

For more information on the 2016 CONNECTIONS Summit speakers or sessions, visit www.connectionssummit.com.