According to ABI Research the new generation of smart-looking automation products drives smart home spending growth, with the shipments of such devices set to grow at a CAGR of 30% over the 2013-2019 period.

DIY is a "stalwart" home automation segment, as enthusiasts with the prerequisite technical chops have always been around-- but easy-to-install devices such as the Nest smart thermostat and Dropcam streaming security cameras are usable by a far wider swathe of customers. And as the user base grows, so will the overall automation market.

"Single application, connected smart home devices will not only drive connectivity into a wealth of everyday home appliances from air conditioning units to coffee machines, they will also provide a new battleground for new and existing smart home automation players,” ABI says. “Existing players and start-ups alike are preparing their strategies to leverage the popularity of these devices into their own holistic smart home automation plays.”

Underlining the importance of consumer devices within the automation market is the $3.2 billion acquisition of Nest by Google, as well as iControl's Piper acquisition. And as startups including Revolv and WigWag develop new means of controlling multiple smart home devices within a single automation platform, telcos, security players, retailers and established home automation vendors enter the fray, boosting competition (and customer options) further.

Go Market Evolution in DIY Smart Home Automation (ABI Research)