Currently owning both an Amazon Echo and a Google Home device, one of the things that annoys me is the lack of compatibility and the cost of products for home automation. Either the cost is prohibitive or the solutions will only work with one of the devices.
Now an unlikely contender is to enter the market with a new range of products called IKEA Home Smart, intended not only to work with Echo and Home, but with any other solutions (maybe Apple Siri) that come onto the market. IKEA intend to combine affordability with design to make voice controlled home appliances available to the many.
“With IKEA Home Smart, we challenge everything that’s complicated and expensive online homes. By making sure that our products work with others in the market, we are taking another step to meet people’s needs and make it easier to interact with the products for the smart home.”
– Björn Block, product manager for IKEA Home Smart
IKEA smart lighting is a Plug & Play solution (no new electrical wiring and no electrician needed). All it takes is replacing an existing light source with a TRÅDFRI LED light source. Then a remote control or TRÅDFRI app allows you to set your preferred lighting level by dimming the light switch from hot to cold light and save the settings for different moods.
In the summer and Autumn, you’ll be able to connect IKEA smart lighting with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and install and adjust the lighting using Apple Home app and make it work together with other accessories used together with HomeKit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa – such as thermostats, door locks, sensors, ceiling fans, blinds and more.
“We think that the technology of the smart home will be available to all. Therefore, we continue to ensure that our products work together with others in the market.”
– Jeanette Skjelmose, head of lighting and IKEA Home Smart
