Panasonic, apart from targeting consumers will also be pitching Seekit to the enterprise segment including luggage makers and car manufacturers
Panasonic is expecting to achieve a sales target of Rs 140 crore through its Bluetooth-based trackers ‘Seekit’ in the next one year. The newly launched ‘Seekit’ devices have been designed by Panasonic Innovation Center, India.
The company during the ‘Seekit’ launch had revealed that it will start selling the devices starting from the first week of December, 2018. Panasonic has priced the Seekit Edge and Seekit Loop, at Rs 1,599 and Rs 1,299 respectively.
Manish Sharma, CEO, Panasonic India told PTI, “We are starting with a small device and this will be built up into a larger ecosystem. While the market is still at a nascent stage, there is a strong potential not only in the consumer segment but also enterprise. We expect sales of Rs 140 crore in the first year.”
Potential in the enterprise segment
Apart from targeting consumers, Panasonic is also seeing a huge potential in the enterprise segment. “We are also talking to companies like luggage makers and car makers to embed our technology in various products,” Sharma said.
He further pointed out that several global reports have suggested that the beacon market (including marketing potential) is expected to touch USD 14.8 billion by 2024. The current market size of beacons such as “Seekit” is approximately 30 million units globally. Beacon is a device designed to attract attention to a specific location.
“We are focusing on both Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence-based solutions at our India Innovation Centre. The launch of Seekit is strategically aligned to our objective to create a smart and connected ecosystem,” Sharma said.
Panasonic Seekit Features
Seekit features a separation indicator, proximity guidance, last seen location, bi-directional tracking, and voice alerts with high alert mode for tracking, low alert mode to avoid unnecessary alerts. Panasonic claims the battery to last for about 12 – 18 months without a charge depending on the variant and usage.
The Separation Indicator feature alerts the user as soon as the valuable is disconnected, reminding that the valuable is being left behind. These alerts can be customised in the user’s own voice too, especially useful in case of multiple Seekit devices. Proximity Guidance would help users towards their valuables. Seekit buzzes and glows reminding users in case they forget their phones. The design comes enabled with IP-65 for protection from rains.
“We are focusing on both Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence-based solutions at our India Innovation Centre. The launch of Seekit is strategically aligned to our objective to create a smart and connected ecosystem,” Sharma added.
