Households turned off by gimmicks

Consumers said they are not looking for futuristic gimmicks and instead want devices which have practical benefits.

A report found that the idea of gadgets such as devices that turn off automatically on being fully charged appeal to the vast majority of peo- ple, with 87 per cent of people saying they found at least one smart tech option tested in focus groups to be appealing.

Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Smart Energy GB, which carried out the research, said: “This report reveals the exciting extent to which smart technology could make our lives smarter and greener.

“As automation and new ways to use data become more prevalent, innovators will need to understand the real desire amongst consumers for solutions that help us in our everyday lives.”