The Internet of Things plays a crucial role in this boom, with uptake of intelligent household appliances such as washing machines, security systems and robotic vacuums all predicted to increase, says analyst firm IHS. It reports that less than one million smart-home appliances were shipped in 2014, but that will increase to 223 million shipments in 2020. Already household names are getting on board, with Google's Nest, Apple's HomeKit and Samsung's potential acquisition of Smart Things as examples.