IHS Markit analysis predicts 7% CAGR for voice-operated alarm systems sales to 2022
According to market analyst IHS Markit, voice-operated alarm systems sales are expected to grow at a 7% CAGR through 2022. Globally, 92% of intruder alarm systems sold in 2017 were operated by either keypad or key fob. However, this category is expected to drop to a total of 81% by 2022. Last year, 21% of professionally monitored residential intruder alarm systems had additional connectivity and functionality beyond primary alarm signalling. This type of solution is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17% to reach 35% by 2022.
IHS Markit analyst Anna Sliwon has stated that home assistants developed by Amazon, Google and others are changing how consumers interact with connected home devices, including intruder alarms. More alarm systems now offer a voice command option, allowing users to employ Alexa and other smart assistants for both arming and disarming their alarm systems.
Internet of Things technologies have profoundly influenced the way in which consumers select home security systems, leading to increased connectivity and integration with voice assistants and other smart devices. As consumers become more comfortable using voice features, so the share of alarm systems relying on more traditional methods will decline.
Using voice commands to operate intruder alarm systems makes the process far easier and quicker as it eliminates the need to physically interact with the alarm itself. With voice commands, there’s no need to locate a key fob or type a PIN code into a keypad.
Voice features can also be useful when a keypad or a smart phone malfunctions, or if the key fob is misplaced. Likewise, arming the system for the night can be conducted from within the user’s home, without the need to physically engage with the security system at all.
Currently available voice features in intruder alarms offer a basic level of interaction. The user speaks a pre-determined command to disarm the system and the voice assistant then asks for a security password or a PIN code. The password feature was added so that strangers standing outside users’ homes couldn’t instruct the systems to disarm. This process could be improved with the use of advanced voice recognition technologies, which would eliminate the need for dedicated passwords. The system would instead use voice biometrics to verify the user’s identity, which could be done automatically and simplify the process.