The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

Wearable Tech CES

Wearable and internet-of-things tech will see slow consumer uptake in 2015, says Accenture study

Author

By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

January 6, 2015 | 3 min read

Consumers will be slow to warm to wearable technology in 2015 with only 12 per cent expressing intent to acquire either a smartwatch or fitness monitor, according to research from Accenture.

Apple Watch, Tim Cook

2015's Apple Watch launch will make or break the smartwatch

The online survey, conducted with 24,000 consumers across 24 countries, found that only 12 per cent of consumers were interested in purchasing a smartwatch or fitness tracker in 2015.

However, 40 per cent of respondents would acquire a fitness tracker in the next five years. Similarly, 41 per cent said they would eventually pick up a smartwatch.

These findings accompanied a general decline in planned purchases of traditional technology. Smartphones, tablets and HDTVs saw a four, six and eight per cent decrease in demand from 2013.

Accenture, managing director of communications, media and technology practice, John Curran, attributed the fall in interest for traditional technology such as smartphones and TVs to the rise in prominence of internet-of-things (IoT) gadgetry.

Speaking after Samsung promised to invest over $100m on IoT technology to bring it into the mainstream at CES, Curran said: "The internet of things will drive growth in the broader consumer electronics market for the next several years as the number and range of connected devices exponentially increases…showcasing products from less traditional markets more broadly than ever. New market categories will include clinical healthcare devices, home security & home automation.”

Following Mercedez-Benz's announcement that it will implement the IoT in its transformation of luxury cars into “mobile living rooms," Curran said on connected cars: “The car is becoming an extension of the smartphone, and an integral part of the internet of things.

“These cars will be able to check where you last had the engine on if you’ve lost it in a car park, or inform you about how ecologically friendly your driving is. We might also see ‘mVallet’ services - cars equipped with the tools to allow drivers to confirm card payments directly from their on-board unit.”

A total 37 per cent of consumers expressed an interest in purchasing a connected car in the next five years.

On a broader scope, over the next five years 41 per cent of consumers will purchase home connected surveillance cameras and security systems.

Meanwhile 39 per cent expressed an interest in smart thermostats and 3D printers and wearable heads-up display glasses will open the wallets of 35 per cent of respondents, according to the study.

Wearable Tech CES

More from Wearable Tech

View all

Trending

Industry insights

View all
Add your own content +