The UAE and Saudi Arabia are witnessing a surge in the adoption of smart home devices, with over six million devices seamlessly integrated into the daily lives of Alexa customers. These customers are enjoying the convenience and benefits of a connected smart home, using Alexa to control various devices such as lighting, air conditioners, TVs, and cameras. In 2023 alone, customers in these countries have initiated nearly 130 million smart home actions, with over 100 million requests for listening to music, Quran, and podcasts, amounting to more than 70 million hours of listening.
Throughout 2023, Alexa has been instrumental in turning lights on and off over 24 million times in homes across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Customers have also utilized Alexa nearly nine million times to control their air conditioners solely using their voice, highlighting the increasing reliance on voice-enabled home automation. The Middle East region has seen a significant increase in smart home customers, with a more than 50% year-on-year growth in 2023 compared to 2022, and a more than 90% year-on-year increase in the number of smart home devices connected to Alexa.
Dr. Raf Fatani, regional general manager of Alexa, Amazon Mena, expressed excitement about the rapid adoption of cutting-edge technologies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. He emphasized the importance of investing in local talent and resources to tailor products to meet the unique needs of customers in these markets. The seamless integration of Alexa with a wide range of smart home devices has further enhanced the customer experience, with the addition of new features such as the multi-view option for live camera feeds on multimodal devices.
Amazon’s VP of business development for the MEA region, Mohammad Meraj Hoda, highlighted Ring’s commitment to providing customers with peace of mind through intuitive home solutions. Ring continues to focus on making homes more connected and controllable, ensuring that all devices work together seamlessly for the convenience of customers. The most common smart home devices used by customers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia include lights, locks, and sensors, controlled through the integrated smart home hub in Echo devices.
In conclusion, the adoption of smart home devices and technologies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia is on the rise, with Alexa playing a significant role in enhancing the connected home experience for customers. With a growing number of smart home actions and requests being initiated through Alexa, it is clear that customers in these regions are embracing the convenience and efficiency of voice-enabled automation. Amazon’s focus on tailoring products and services to meet the unique needs of customers in the Middle East demonstrates a commitment to driving innovation and advancement in the AI space. The future of smart homes in the region looks promising, with continued enhancements and features aimed at enhancing the overall customer experience.
