German consumer technology market shows strong wearables growth driven by AI integration

The German client expertise sector skilled important development in 2024, in line with Bitkom’s annual “Future of Consumer Technology” study launched in the course of the IFA expertise truthful. Wearables emerged because the dominant pattern of client expertise 2024 – usually paired with AI, marking a decisive shift towards body-worn clever gadgets.

In response to Bitkom’s market evaluation, with wearables, in line with the forecast, a turnover of two.57 billion euros might be achieved in Germany this yr with a gross sales quantity of 13.09 million models. The common value per wearable system reached 196 euros, demonstrating sturdy client willingness to put money into these superior applied sciences.

The examine, which has served because the reference work for client electronics in Germany since its first publication in 2007, tracks the continual growth of client expertise and derives forecasts for future evolution. This yr’s version notably targeted on how wearables and synthetic intelligence are reshaping the expertise panorama.

Market dynamics reveal technological convergence

The marketplace for client expertise is predicted to embody a turnover of seven.62 billion euros in line with Bitkom forecasts for 2024. Conventional classes preserve important market share, with televisions commanding 37 p.c of the overall market, similar to a turnover of two.83 billion euros. Audio and video equipment observe with 21 p.c market share at 1.62 billion euros.

Smartphones proceed their dominance within the broader expertise ecosystem. With smartphones, 11 billion euros are anticipated to be achieved this yr. For this, a forecast of 19.47 million gadgets with a median value of 565 euros might be offered. Nevertheless, the evolution towards wearables represents a elementary shift in how shoppers work together with expertise.

Wearables rework from health trackers to AI assistants

The transformation of wearables extends past conventional health monitoring capabilities. Client expertise approaches people and their wants with these new wearables ever nearer. Whereas radios and televisions as gadgets of traditional leisure electronics nonetheless stood in rooms the place their customers have been briefly situated, smartphones are already carried (nearly) at all times in hand or trouser pocket, wearables are client expertise straight on the physique.

Good rings exemplify this evolution, with 10 p.c of Germans wish to put on a sensible finger ring. These gadgets provide prolonged battery life in comparison with smartwatches whereas offering complete well being monitoring capabilities with out conventional show interfaces.

The acceptance of body-integrated expertise reaches shocking ranges. 24 p.c of Germans can think about having a small good assistant glued to their enamel to measure physique capabilities, whereas 19 p.c of Germans can think about having a sensible assistant implanted.

Well being monitoring drives client adoption

Well being purposes stay the first driver for wearable adoption. 72 p.c of Germans discover detailed physique information helpful for stopping or detecting illnesses early. This represents a major shift in client attitudes towards private well being monitoring and information assortment.

66 p.c see detailed information about their very own physique as assist for wholesome residing, demonstrating that customers more and more view wearables as important well being administration instruments moderately than non-compulsory equipment.

AI integration creates clever ecosystems

Synthetic intelligence serves because the enabling expertise behind this wearables transformation. Synthetic intelligence is central within the discipline of wearables – but additionally usually in client expertise. The examine demonstrates how AI capabilities are being built-in throughout a number of system classes, from voice assistants to content material creation instruments.

Digital voice assistants exemplify this AI integration, with 53 p.c of Germans aged 16 and over use digital voice assistants. The automotive sector reveals notably sturdy adoption, the place 62 p.c of voice assistant customers make use of voice management in vehicles – a doubling in three years.

Streaming and gaming markets present sustained development

The leisure expertise sector demonstrates continued growth throughout a number of platforms. 86 p.c of Germans aged 16 and over stream movies, whereas sustaining conventional viewing habits with 92 p.c of Germans aged 16 and over watch present tv programming by way of traditional connections like cable, satellite tv for pc or antenna.

Gaming represents one other important development space, with 53 p.c of all Germans aged 16 and over play video and laptop video games. Month-to-month spending on gaming has elevated considerably, with 31 euros spent by players per 30 days on their interest.

Digital and augmented actuality achieve mainstream acceptance

The examine reveals rising acceptance of immersive applied sciences. 70 p.c of Germans are open to digital actuality. 22 p.c have already used a VR headset. Importantly, 31 p.c say that VR headsets will belong to straightforward gear sooner or later.

Augmented actuality utilization has expanded considerably, with 28 p.c giving indication of getting used at the very least one AR utility, representing substantial development from earlier measurements.

Market implications for promoting and advertising and marketing

These developments create important alternatives for entrepreneurs focusing on German shoppers. The mixing of AI throughout client gadgets permits extra subtle focusing on and customized experiences. Gaming audiences represent particularly valuable demographics, with 62% of adults actively taking part in video video games in line with Comscore’s 2024 gaming report.

The convergence of streaming, gaming, and wearable applied sciences creates new touchpoints for model engagement. Cross-platform measurement capabilities develop into more and more essential as shoppers work together with content material throughout a number of system classes concurrently.

Audio streaming reveals specific resilience, with 82 p.c of all Germans aged 16 and over use audiostreaming. Month-to-month spending on audio streaming subscriptions averages 11.20 euros spent on common month-to-month for audiostreaming subscriptions, demonstrating sustained client funding in digital content material platforms.

The analysis signifies that German shoppers are embracing a extra linked, AI-enabled expertise ecosystem the place wearables function the first interface between customers and their digital lives. This transformation has profound implications for product growth, advertising and marketing methods, and client engagement throughout the expertise sector.

Timeline

Abstract

Who: Bitkom e.V., the German digital affiliation, in collaboration with analysis companions finding out client expertise adoption throughout Germany’s inhabitants aged 16 and older.

What: Launch of the annual “Way forward for Client Know-how 2024” examine revealing wearables because the dominant expertise pattern, with 2.57 billion euro market worth pushed by AI integration reworking gadgets into clever assistants.

When: September 2024, printed in the course of the IFA expertise truthful as a part of Bitkom’s annual analysis sequence that has been the reference work for German client electronics since 2007.

The place: Germany, with market evaluation protecting your entire German client expertise sector together with smartphones, wearables, gaming, streaming, and rising applied sciences like VR/AR.

Why: The examine tracks speedy technological evolution as client expertise turns into extra private and clever, with wearables representing the following section of human-computer interplay by way of AI-enabled gadgets worn straight on the physique.