Exit remote-controlled ACs; enter ‘wi-fi’ ACs with smartphones apps

Blue Star plans to phase out its remote-controlled air conditioners by 2018 and replace them with wi-fi enabled smart ACs that can be operated via smartphones apps. “By 2018, all of our airconditioners would be wi-fi ready. Remote would be optional only,” Blue Star Executive Director and President, AC and Refrigeration Products, B Thiagarajan told reporters here. The company has five wi-fi-ready ACs in its portfolio. He said the wi-fi-ready technology for ACs will become more affordable in the near future as prices of the application will drop fast.

“Today the wi-fi application costs around Rs 2,000, which should drop by 25 per cent next year and another 50 per cent in the subsequent year,” Thiagarajan added. Blue Star today unveiled a range of 135 models for this season.

It is expecting to sell around four lakh units in the residential and commercial splits segment and aims to have at least 12 per cent share in the market with 25 per cent growth in 2016. This year the company will focus on north India market, which contributes around 35 per cent of the total sales. “Around 5 lakh units are sold alone in the NCR region,” said Blue Star Vice President Sales & Marketing C Haridas.