The Josh.ai artificial intelligence grows further through integration with the Lutron HomeWorks QSX processor, allowing users to seamlessly control devices such as Ketra lights through the power of their voice.

After a button press authenticates the QSX processor, Josh.ai uses the Lutron LEAP integration protocol to automatically pull in Lutron floor plan configurations and device programming. The instant discovery and control of Lutron devices expedites the implementation process. Supported devices within native Josh.ai control include Ketra (Clear Connect-- Type X), dimmable lights, switched loads, shades, fans and keypads. A future update will include thermostat compatibility.

According to Futuresource Consulting, the current social distancing and lockdown measures are leading to less home renovations, in turn negatively impacting smart home device sales.

The findings come from a research study carried out in the UK, France, Germany and the US involving a nationally representative sample of over 4000 consumers.

“Over half of advanced users-- people with at least five smart home devices-- told us they first began to explore smart home devices during DIY and renovation projects,” the analyst says. “As the home renovation market is impacted by ongoing lockdowns in major markets, we are likely to witness a significant dip in smart home devices sales across all major markets in Q2 2020.”

The Q1 2020 earnings release of Roomba maker iRobot reveals the company has "suspended" launch plans for the Terra, an autonomous lawnmower promising to combine state-of-the-art navigation technologies with high-quality mowing.

The reason behind the indefinite delay, as one might imagine, is the coronavirus (aka Covid-19) outbreak. The pandemic has affected the iRobot supply chain, leading to revenue losses and a shifting of resources to keep the company afloat. As a result iRobot has not only shelved product launches, but has also reduced its workforce by approximately 70 positions (or 5% of the total), mostly in the R&D department, and furloughed 14 sales and marketing employees in European in-store retail operations.

Crestron releases an update to the Crestron Home platform-- one bringing fast configuration and deployment for residential installers through the Crestron Home Configurator cloud-based management platform.

Home Configurator allows home automation technicians to pre-configure devices before the hardware arrives or, as the company puts it, the truck even rolls to the project. Installers can pre-configure lighting systems, setup rooms, load schedules, lay out modules and enclosures, configure and engrave keypad buttons, and generate reports, all before arriving to the job site.

According to ABI Research, the global emphasis on working from home combined with advice to minimise coronavirus transmission from shared surfaces within the home will cement the benefits of smart home voice control for "millions" of customers.

Global shipments of smart home voice control devices total 141 million in 2019, and despite the impact on the key Chinese market in Q1 2020 the analyst predicts shipments of such devices will grow by close to 30% over last year. Of course, the full potential of voice control is unlocked in conjunction with other smart home devices. For example, customers can leverage voice to control and monitor smart locks, directly enabling the placement of deliveries in the home or another secure locations. Similarly, smart doorbells and video cameras can ensure deliveries are received securely, without need for face-to-face interaction or exposure.

European smart home shipments total nearly 39.9 million units in Q4 2019, a 20.4% Y-o-Y increase, IDC reports-- but the analyst warns the market will be hit by declines due to, as one might expect, the coronavirus pandemic.

The market also sees positive results for overall 2019, as shipments are up by 20% over 2018 to 107m units. Smart speakers continue to be the "stellar product" during Q4 2019, with Amazon gaining market share through "good" smart speaker and digital media adapter performance. The quarter also hosted the European Amazon Smart TV launch, with JVC launching the first FireOS products in the UK. The year was also particularly positive in CEE, with the gradual transition to the DVB-T standard leading to shipment growth of 53.5% Y-o-Y.