Pure simplicity

Hobby gardeners and smartphones - can that work? Obviously, the British watering expert Hozelock had already asked itself this question, before presenting its Cloud Controller: a system for automated home watering under the motto "smart watering for the 21st century". "Even technophobes will find it easy to install and understand Hozelock's ground-breaking Cloud Controller, which uses a low-power, long-range radio signal to connect to the internet while the free app eliminates any need for complex timer programming", according to the press release.
In the meantime, the market leader has been busy outside the domestic UK market. DIY International asked Martin Ward, Senior Product Manager, how the concept has been received.

Martin Ward: There was an extended rollout into France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Sweden.

The response has been very positive with significant interest from our existing customer base and generating lots of leads for new customers who want to stock the Hozelock Cloud Controller.

Feedback from consumers has been very encouraging with positive feedback about the ease of setting up the product for the first time and the simplicity of using the app. Compared to other mobile controlled watering devices in the market, our concept has been welcomed due to the accessible price point.

We have high expectations for Spain, Holland and France who have the highest penetration of smartphones after the UK.

Target consumer groups are early adopters of the smart home devices and keen gardeners who want to create the optimum watering system for their garden.

Early feedback from Cloud Controller users has revealed some useful insights about how the product could be…