Swedish home-wares giant, Ikea, has reportedly expanded its Trådfri smart home range, following an FCC filing for smart blinds i.e. motorised window furnishings which open/close via remote control.

Whilst home automation has long existed in the curtain world, Ikea is tipped to offer the technology at a significantly lower price.

Discovered by tech journalist, Dave Zatz, commentators expect Ikea’s smart blinds to trigger downward pricing in the industry.

At current, Ikea’s Tradfri range is limited to smart lighting – e.g. controlled via Amazon’s Alexa – coupled with reports it’s working on smart home plugs (similar to Lenovo) and a smart speaker made in collaboration with Sonos.

The news fuels speculation Ikea is building a whole home automation system, compatible across Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s HomeKit and Google Assistant.

Awesome! Ikea’s going to release smart blinds. We definitely need downward pricing pressure in this category. pic.twitter.com/Mx010A569J

— Dave Zatz (@davezatz) 6 September 2018

[Ikea Trådfri]