Ikea Launches A New Hub
Ikea has a number of smart home products in its stable including blinds and smart speakers. Last month, the company announced its all new smart home hub Dirigera which, on top of making it easier to connect multiple Ikea devices, features Matter support. The company also mentions Dirigera will simplify the ‘on-boarding’ process of initially connecting devices to the platform and home’s connection, an effort to streamline the process and make it simpler for new owners. Dirigera is slated to arrive in stores in October. Ikea also announced a redesign of their Ikea Home Smart app.
The NPD Take:
- As a relative outsider to the connected home ecosystem, Ikea is making it easier to connect their devices to products like security cameras and video doorbells that consumers may already own.
- Ikea has a unique strategy in the connected home market as a home furnishings and furniture retailer and has partnered successfully with companies like Sonos and Xiaomi- the Dirigera hub is an extension of this partner strategy.
Amazon’s Astro Impresses
Amazon has begun fulfilling orders for Astro, its personal assistant robot announced last year. Arriving first to buyers who paid $1,000 to be part of the invitation-only roll out, reviews of the robot have been mostly positive. Astro is capable of an array of tasks from home security to pet monitoring and its 10-inch touchscreen means the device can also be used as an Echo Show (albeit on wheels). Amazon’s Alexa powers the digital voice assistant experience.
The NPD Take:
- While Astro’s capabilities are limited (this is not Rosie from the Jetsons) this is a meaningful first step towards true personal assistant robots. Astro is compatible with Alexa Routines, making it a natural extension of the household’s relationship with Alexa and since the device is equipped with a solid camera, it can also act as a roving security device (as opposed to a mounted camera) a new capability in the security space.
- With that in mind, Astro is still a first generation robotic device and will benefit from improvements in successive generations.