New York - According to The NPD Group Connected Intelligence Connected Home Automation Report, security and safety top the list of reasons driving consumer interest in building a smarter home. Four-in-ten consumers who are at least somewhat interested in a smart home ranked making their home more secure and safe as the top reason driving their interest. As such, network connected cameras1 generated nearly two-thirds, 61 percent, of all U.S. home automation industry revenues in the 12 months ending June 20162.

Among the ten percent of U.S. Internet homes that are smart, monitors/cameras are the most common point of entry into the market. According to the report, one-third of smart homes have a networked camera and one-quarter have a security, motion, door or window sensor. While 81 percent of smart camera users leverage the device for its core functionality, home security; over half, 53 percent, of smart camera users cite a utility other than home security. Other uses include monitoring house guests, pets and school-age children.

“Smart cameras generate more retail revenue than any other home automation category, and a growing number of consumers are producing recurring revenue through add-on subscriptions that allow longer tenure video storage and provide features such as the ability to share footage,” said John Buffone, executive director, industry analyst, NPD Connected Intelligence. “As the market takes shape, we expect consumers to flank their smart cameras with other security focused devices such as smart doorbells; in fact, ownership of smart doorbells has grown by 64 percent in the past year.”