a16z Podcast | Gateway Gadgets to the Internet of Things

TL;DR

The connected home industry has benefited from advancements in technology, such as sensors and cheap processors, leading to a wide range of products with built-in radios. However, there are challenges in creating a cohesive ecosystem for these products to work together.

Transcript

I'm Scott Weis General Partner here at Andreessen Horowitz and I'm here with Ben Kaufman the CEO of quirky topic today is the connected home and Internet of Things and just wanted to kick that off a little bit with you know that I think Chris Anderson had this great quote of the who left his job at had wired to go chase a drone company and the quot... Read More

Key Insights

• 👪 Advancements in technology, such as sensors, cheap processors, and radios, have enabled the integration of connected home products.
• 😀 The connected home industry faces challenges in creating a cohesive ecosystem that promotes interoperability between products.
• 😄 Lighting is a popular entry point in the connected home market due to its ease of understanding and control.
• 🧑‍🏭 Energy savings and convenience are both driving factors in the adoption of connected home products.
• ⏰ Locks have the potential to be transformative in the connected home industry, with the possibility of invisible locks operated through mobile devices and cloud software.
• 🤩 The key to widespread adoption lies in waiting for infrastructure and buildings to be updated to support connected home technologies.
• 🥺 California is leading the way in energy-conscious connected home solutions and guidelines.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Quirky envision different connected home products working together?

Quirky recognizes that while it makes sense for products to have separate apps for retail purposes, customers will eventually want their connected home products to communicate and work together. This is especially true when customers accumulate multiple products.

Q: Are connected home products like lighting primarily driven by convenience or energy savings?

Connected lighting products offer both convenience and energy-saving benefits. With long-lasting bulbs, customers are less concerned about changing them frequently and more focused on the aesthetic and energy efficiency. Energy-conscious customers, particularly in California, are adopting connected lighting to comply with energy usage guidelines.

Q: How close are we to achieving a Jetsons-like connected home?

While there is still a way to go, there are exciting developments in countertop appliances like infant formula machines. Locks, in particular, show potential for transformative change, with the possibility of invisible locks built into doors, operated through cloud software and mobile devices.

Q: What challenges does the connected home industry face in adoption and implementation?

The main challenge lies in waiting for widespread adoption, as buildings and infrastructure need to be upgraded to accommodate connected home technologies. It is essential to allow time for these changes to occur naturally.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Quirky, a company in the connected home industry, recognized the need for products with radios built inside them and developed a partnership with GE to create these products and a user-friendly platform.

• There is a challenge in grouping various connected home products together, as customers typically purchase products one at a time, but eventually, they will want these products to work harmoniously.

• Lighting is a popular entry point into the connected home industry, as it is easy to understand and control.