Key Findings

Ubtech Jimu Robot TankBot Kit

• The Jimu Robot Kit is a programmable device with an exciting coding mechanism and great controls. The TankBot Kit comes with six robotic servo motors and 190 snap-together pieces.
• Furthermore, this device serves as an educating tool for kids and allows Bluetooth connectivity to iPhones and Ipads.

Pictionary Air

•  Pictionary Air is a visionary game that allows users to draw in the air with augmented reality.
• The game is played with a wireless smart device that allows for sketches in virtual space. While the drawing is going on, it is only visible to the audience to guess what is being drawn.
• Pictionary Air uses camera and image recognition to detect the path of the wireless pen. The app is compatible with IOS and android devices.

Research Strategy

Top Smart Home Products in North America

• Amazon, which is the leading online retailer in North America by web sales, lists the following bestselling smart home products. The following products are the smart home products with the highest sales on Amazon.
•  Echo Dot 3rd Generation — Charcoal. This product is a charcoal-colored and fabric-textured compact smart speaker with a louder and fuller sound compared to Echo Dot Gen 2. Equipped with Alexa and designed to protect user privacy, it can be asked, through voice control, to answer questions, check the weather, play music, read the news, set alarms, control other smart home devices, make hands-free calls, and do other tasks.
•  Fire TV Stick 4K. This product is an Alexa-enabled streaming media device that allows users to watch favorites from YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services on their television in 4K Ultra HD, HDR10+, HDR, or Dolby Vision.
•  TP-Link AC750 WiFi Extender. This product is a dual-band device that allows users to extend the range of their WiFi internet connection. It is capable of extending the WiFi range to cover at most 1,200 square feet, include at most 20 devices, and support a speed of at most 750 Mbps.
•  Fire TV Stick. This product is an Alexa-enabled streaming media device that allows users to watch favorites from YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services on their television in HD.
•  Roku Streaming Stick. This product is an Alexa-enabled, long-range wireless streaming media device that allows users to watch favorites from YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV, and other streaming services on their television in HD, 4K, or HDR. It comes with a voice-enabled remote control.
•  Wyze Cam 1080p HD Indoor Wireless Smart Home Camera. This product is a white-colored smart home camera that comes with night vision and two-way audio, and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.
•  TP-Link N300 WiFi Extender. This product is a single-band device that is capable of extending the WiFi range to cover at most 800 square feet and support a speed of at most 300 Mbps.
•  Roku Express HD Streaming Media Player 2019. This product is an Alexa-enabled streaming media device that allows users to watch their favorites from Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, Disney+, and other streaming services on their television in HD.
•  HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Printer. This product is an Alexa-enabled wireless printer that can copy, scan, and fax as well. It uses HP Instant Ink.
•  Echo 3rd Generation — Charcoal. This product is a charcoal-colored Alexa-enabled smart speaker that is larger than Echo Dot. Equipped with Alexa and designed to protect user privacy, it can be asked, through voice control, to answer questions, check the weather, play music, read the news, set alarms, control other smart home devices, make hands-free calls, and do other tasks.
•  Blink XT2 Outdoor/Indoor Smart Security Camera. This product is a smart security camera that comes with customizable motion detection, cloud storage, two-way audio, and a camera kit. It provides day and night coverage and can be used indoors or outdoors.
•  TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router. This product is a smart WiFi internet router that is compatible with Alexa, Parental Control, QoS, and VPN Server. It has four Gigabit LAN ports and three external long-range WiFi antennas.
•  Echo Show 5. This product is a compact smart display device that is equipped with Alexa and video calling and is designed to protect user privacy. Measuring 5.5", this device helps users manage their day, connect with friends and family, control other smart home devices, and entertain through movies, shows, podcasts, and other video/audio content.
•  Blink Mini. This product is an Alexa-enabled compact smart security camera that is designed to be plugged in indoors. It comes with motion detection and a 1080 HD camera.
•  Amazon Smart Plug. This product is an Alexa-enabled smart plug that allows users to integrate voice control with any outlet, and remotely turn lights, fans, or other appliances on or off.
•  Ring Stick Up Cam Battery with Echo Dot. This product is a product bundle composed of the Echo Dot 3rd Generation and the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery. The bundle allow users to hear, see, or speak with visitors remotely from their computer, smartphone, or tablet.
•  Ring Video Doorbell 3. This product is an easy-to-set up smart video doorbell that comes with enhanced WiFi, improved motion detection, and a 1080 HD camera. It allows users to hear, see, or speak with visitors remotely from their computer, smartphone, or tablet.
•  Govee Smart WiFi LED Strip Lights. This product, 16.4 feet in length, is a smart wireless LED light strip that has a selection of 16 million colors. It is compatible with Alexa and can be controlled from an iOS or Android phone application.
•  Echo Dot 3rd Generation — Sandstone. This product is a sandstone-colored compact smart speaker with a louder and fuller sound compared to Echo Dot Gen 2. Equipped with Alexa and designed to protect user privacy, it can be asked, through voice control, to answer questions, check the weather, play music, read the news, set alarms, control other smart home devices, make hands-free calls, and do other tasks.
•  Gosund Smart Plug. This product is a compact smart plug or WiFi outlet that is compatible with Alexa and Google Home. It does not require any hub, and it allows users to remotely control their home appliances.

Research Strategy

Smart Home Office Products (NA)

• The Bosch Interactive Projection Module is a unique device that allows individuals to use any type of surface in the home as a projector.
• The Canon Pixma TS5120 Black is a wireless printer with unique features that offer cost savings as well as delivery of high-quality products through all connected devices.
• The Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Keyboard is a useful device for individuals who spend a lot of time on their computers. Its ergonomic design relieves strain on users' elbows, wrists, and shoulders.

Research Strategy

• Among the top gaming systems in North America are PowerA Moga XP5-X Plus, Nintendo Switch, New Nintendo 3DS XL, PlayStation 4 Pro, and Xbox One X.
• There are several e books and tablets that are used by learners some of them include; Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Forma, Kobo Libra H2O, KINDLE OASIS, and NOOK Glowlight Plus these devices are different in terms of size and specifications.
•  Roku Streaming Stick Plu, Apple TV 4K, Nvidia Shield TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Roku Express (2019), Google Chromecast, Roku smart soundbar, and Roku Ultraare some the best streaming devices.

Research Strategy

Selected Findings

• The Apple Watch Series 5 smartwatch includes features such as Always-On Retina display, apps for tracking electrocardiogram (ECG), noise, and menstrual cycle, and others.
• The Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker includes features such as cardio fitness score, sleep tracking, female health tracking, and others.
• The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 wireless headphones include features such as controllable noise canceling, voice pickup, simple touch controls, and others.

Research Strategy

Tonal

• Tonal is a home exercise device that combines a personal trainer mirror with resistance features. The screen provides coaching, workouts, goal tracking, and more. The resistance arms can be configured to do more than 170 moves and give up to 200 pounds (90.72 kilograms) of resistance.

Peloton Bike

• It's widely regarded as the world's best smart exercise bike by professional reviewers and customers. Its most notable features include live workouts, a large screen, and music playlists. It also offers financing and a money-back guarantee.

JaxJox Foam RollerConnect

• The roller includes vibration intensity levels and uses duration timers to match your roller session to whatever exercises you did that day, for faster recovery. The vibration intensities help alleviate muscle soreness and improve your range of motion more effectively than your standard roller. An app controls the roller, and you can also use it to track your progress.

Withings Body Cardio

• The Body Cardio is an attractive scale that has a lot of innovative features. Apart from measuring your weight, it can also tell you how much of your body is water, muscle, bone, or fat. It shows you your weight for the last five times you stood on it and records your BMI. It'll even tell you today's weather and measure your heart rate. 

Research Strategy

Selected Findings

•  Felik Pet Companion is a smart laser toy with artificial intelligence that keeps pets active. It comes with a camera to track pets and react to their motions automatically without any human intervention. The toy's AI algorithm anticipates the pet’s moves and reacts by naturally moving the laser. The owners can set a schedule and control other settings from the companion app. The toy's infrared-sensitive camera has a field of vision of 180 degrees that is capable of seeing around the room.
•  Wickedbone Interactive Gaming Toy is a smart bone toy for dogs that works based on an emotional system and reacts depending on whether the pet is in a playful or aggressive mood. The owners can also tweak the sensitivity to take different surfaces into account. It can be connected to a smartphone. The toy comes with a choice of auto-play mode or app-enabled drive mode using the app and a virtual joystick. It is made from completely safe FDA approved food-grade materials and is strong enough to withstand harsh treatment by the pets.
•  ikuddle Auto-Pack Litter Box is an AI-enabled modular litter box by iKuddle, a San Francisco based company, that "automatically self-cleans, eliminates odors, and packs away the waste for simple, hygienic disposal." Once the pet leaves the box, the device can be initiated through an app to separate the waste from clean litter. Once the cleaning is complete, it sends an app notification to the owner, who can then tap the auto-packing button on the app or the litter box. The same seals the waste in a small bag which owners can discard at their convenience. It also allows for waste disposal to be controlled from a smartphone app.
•  SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence is the first and only dog containment and tracking system that allows owners to set up a virtual containment area wherever they go. It lets pet owners program containment areas simply by walking a perimeter with the SpotOn collar in hand. It was named as the 2019 Product of the Year in New Hampshire and was rated as the Best Virtual Fence by Wired.

Research Strategy

Summary of Findings

• Some of the top digital/smart consumer products within the United Kingdom or the European Union in the toys/games category include Lego Hidden Side Graveyard Mystery, Ubtech Jimu MeeBot 2.0 Kit, Secret Code, Sphero Bolt Robotic Ball, Sphero Mini Activity Kit, Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit, Mattel Hot Wheels id Smart Track Kit, Flycatcher SmART Pixelator, Cubelets Curiosity Set, DropMix, Wonder Workshop Dot Creativity Kit, Sphero Ultimate Lightning McQueen, Star Wars Sphero R2-D2, Mass Effect: Andromeda RC Nomad ND1, and Star Wars Propel Battle Drones.
• Additional digital/smart consumer products within the United Kingdom or the European Union in the toys/games category are SAM Labs Science Museum Inventor Kit, Anki Cozmo Robot, and Hasbro FurReal Makers Proto Max.
• The Sphero Bolt Robotic Ball is a robotic ball that utilizes a programmable LED matrix to teach children science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It supports Bluetooth Smart technology and the Sphero Edu app can be used with the ball to share coding and learning projects via Windows, iOS, Kindle, Android, Chrome, and Mac.
• The Mattel Hot Wheels id Smart Track Kit consists of a configurable track that can be used with NFC-enabled racers and accessories is considered to be a smart hybrid of real-life and digital play, and children can connect the racers to the Hot Wheels id App to record their best lap time, number of laps, top speed, etc. The race portal allows them to scan their racers into a digital garage where they play with the toy vehicles virtually.

Research Strategy:

UK Smart Home Products

• The Nanit Plus is a smart baby monitor that is wall-mounted. It monitors room humidity and temperature, tracks the sleep and breathing of the baby, and has two-way audio.
• The ConnectSense is a smart outlet that connects to both the Alexa and Google assistants, collects and reports on energy usage, and has a USB outlet.
• The EcoBee is a smart thermostat that connects with the Alexa assistant and features third-party integration and a remote room sensor to help keep temperatures stable across the whole house.

Research Strategy

Findings

• Smart bulbs are considered a must-have item for a smart home office. Some of the top small bulbs in the UK, Poland, and Spain are Philips Hue and Lynx.
• A smart plug is another recommended product for a smart home office. Some of the recommended plugs are TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi and Amazon Smart Plug.
• HP Tango X is among the best smart printers in the EU/UK market. Printing can be activated with voice.

Research Strategy

Selected Findings

• Sweden-based Spotify, the most popular music streaming service in the world, offers 60 million songs and over 1.5 million podcast titles.
• Britbox is a TV streaming service that provides British TV shows and movies.
• DAZN is a TV streaming service that focuses on providing sports content and is available in EU countries such as Spain, Germany, Austria, and Italy.

Research Strategy

• Among the top fitness trackers from Fitbit include Fitbit Versa 2, Fitbit Charge 4, and Fitbit Inspire and Fitbit Inspire HR.
• Both Airpods and Galaxy Buds are among the top wireless headphones wearables.
• An Oura ring tracks key signals from your body while you sleep, delivering "critical insights helping you harness your body’s potential every day."
•  OXSIGHT glasses are smart glasses designed for everyday wear. They help enhance sight for individuals living with peripheral vision loss. Using the OXSIGHT software, these glasses can help with edge, object, text and facial recognition.
•  Ava is a bracelet designed to help keep track of reproductive health in women.
•  Garmin Vivosport is a fitness band with multiple features that help track heart rate tracking and smart notifications, GPS locations, fitness age and stress-tracking.

Research Strategy

Technogym MyRun

• It is a gym-level treadmill designed for home use with a built-in screen that provides basic run information and can be synced to a tablet through a built-in Bluetooth connection.

Life Fitness T3 Treadmill

• It is a pro-grade treadmill that offers a track console, which easily connects to smartphones and tablets to utilize the Life Fitness app.

JTX Freedom Air Folding Rower

• The Freedom Air rower combines air resistance with 16-levels of electromagnetic resistance. It comes with a chest strap for monitoring users' heart rate for interval programs while enabling them to set targets for BPM-based workout.

Ultrasport F-Bike

• A collapsible home trainer exercise bike with a hand pulse sensor that uses a modern, battery-operated LCD.

Murtisol Bluetooth Folding Treadmill

• The treadmill integrates with the FitShow sports app through which users can record and share their fitness. It also uses a multi-function LCD.

Research Strategy

Sample findings

•  Furbo is an interactive smart dog camera that lets the owner see, talk, and toss treats to their dog from anywhere.
• The Dogness Smart iPet Robot is an interactive robot that is controlled by a companion app and features a laser for playtime, a remote treat dispenser, and a built-in camera to capture snapshots and videos of the pet.
•  Animo fitness tracker is basically a Fitbit for Dogs. It detects exercise and calories burnt, sleep quality, and even how often the dog barks, scratches, and shakes.

Research Strategy

Transition to online purchasing

• The pandemic has caused a significant increase in online shopping spending. 
• According to Mckinsey, most categories have seen more than a 10% growth in "their online customer base during the pandemic and many consumers say they plan to continue shopping online even when brick-and-mortar stores reopen."
• A lot of other digital services, like curbside pickup, delivery, and drive-through services, have also experienced much higher adoption rates.
• Another category that has seen an increase in popularity has been the online grocery shopping. 
• Online shopping has also had an effect on the use of omnichannel services like contactless payment, social commerce, and virtual consultations.

A focus on buying essential products

• Mckinsey has reported that as a direct result of the lockdown, people have started being more mindful about what they spend their money on.
• This has directly affected their spend on essential items such as groceries, household supplies, and entertainment. These are the only three categories that have seen an increase in the consumer spending during the pandemic.
• This is directly caused by the decrease in the disposable income of many families.
• According to Accenture, 33% of consumers have less disposable income compared to before the crisis, which has forced them to shop more cost consciously.
• Consumers have even begun to limit food waste and buy more sustainable products.

A switch towards locally-produced goods

• According to Ernst & Young, 42% of consumers believe that the way they shop will fundamentally change as a result of the pandemic.
• They have also expressed that a part of that shift will be the switch towards shopping and supporting local products. 
• According to Accenture, consumers have significantly increased their purchases of locally-sourced, artisanal products from local community stores

The impact on the electronics market

• The electronics market has been highly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly because of the closing of retail shops and the disrupted supply chains, which have caused shortages in production and sales.
• Consumers have expressed that they will most likely decrease their spend on electronics by at least 20% in the near future.
• Despite that categories like telco products and consumer electronics have seen a recent rise in their transaction volumes in recent weeks.
• One of the main drivers is directly related to the fact that people are still trying to stockpile on essential items. 
• A big driver for change has been the switch to online shopping, which has been able to mitigate some of the losses to the industry. Experts believe that online shopping will also be responsible for the recovery of the market as consumers will still hold some reservations towards visiting shops as often as they used to.