"The smart home isn't just nice to have" | Interview with Ran Roth
- Feb 9
- 4 min read
What if the devices we use every day to stay comfortable could also be our strongest allies in fighting climate change? Ran Roth, Co-founder and CEO of Sensibo, believes they already are, we just haven't unlocked their potential yet.
Before taking the stage at The Smart Home Summit 2025, Ran shared how a simple AC remote sparked a revolution, why the real innovation happens after devices go online, and how breaking the false choice between comfort and sustainability might be the key to mass adoption.
Where Technology Meets Impact
Most entrepreneurs start with a problem. Ran Roth started with a realization about scale. "I come from a technology background, but what really drew me in was realizing how fundamental 'home' is and how much impact it has on the climate."
It's a perspective that shapes everything Sensibo does. While others in the smart home space chase convenience features or connectivity standards, Ran is focused on something bigger: the intersection where everyday comfort meets environmental responsibility. "The magic, for me, was in solving both comfort and energy challenges at once."
The catalyst came from an ordinary object. "One day, while looking at a typical AC remote control, I thought: we need to completely rethink how air conditioning is controlled. That was the spark." It wasn't just about making it smarter, it was about making it fundamentally different.
When Technology Creates Magic
Building something is one thing. Watching it transform someone's life is another. For Ran, the defining moment wasn't a funding round or a product launch, it was witnessing genuine delight.
"You always need that "wow" moment, that sense of magic when technology genuinely captivates," he reflects. "Watching users install our product and instantly transform their air conditioner into a smart one - in just seconds - was when I knew we were on to something."
That instant transformation represents more than clever engineering. It's proof that meaningful change doesn't have to be complicated. The best innovations, Ran suggests, feel almost invisible until you realize you can't imagine life without them.
Breaking the False Choice: The Comfort-Sustainability Paradigm
Here's where Ran's vision diverges from conventional wisdom. The smart home industry has largely operated under an assumption: that users must choose between comfort and conservation, between living well and living responsibly.
Ran challenges this directly. "Some say sustainability and convenience rarely go hand in hand. Quite the opposite, it's not a zero-sum game between comfort and energy."
"A truly smart system can make people more comfortable while saving huge amounts of energy. It's a win-win." This isn't just marketing speak. It's a fundamental rethinking of what's possible when intelligence is applied to energy consumption.
Why AI Isn't the Problem, It's the Solution
In an industry full of buzzwords and promises, Ran has surprisingly strong conviction about artificial intelligence. "I actually don't think AI is overhyped. Even if it goes through a phase of disillusionment, it's a major breakthrough that will continue to evolve."
The reasoning is pragmatic. "At Sensibo, we're investing heavily in integrating smart climate management with AI, because humans aren't great at optimizing for energy savings, machines can do that far better."
It connects directly to the comfort-sustainability paradigm. Human preferences are complex, contextual, and constantly changing. Manually optimizing for all these variables while minimizing energy waste is nearly impossible. AI, however, can learn patterns, predict needs, and make micro-adjustments that accumulate into massive savings, all while improving comfort.
The Overlooked Path to Mass Adoption
While the industry obsesses over certain trends, Ran sees a critical piece being overlooked. "If I had to name something overhyped, it would be the obsession with protocol stacks. Once devices are online, the real innovation happens at the application level."
What deserves far more attention? The energy angle. "For true mass adoption, there needs to be a tangible benefit: one that drives governments, installers, and consumers together toward an economic and environmental goal."
This is where the comfort-sustainability paradigm becomes a market strategy. When smart technology demonstrably saves money while improving quality of life, it creates alignment across the entire ecosystem.
The Invisible Giant: Why Air Conditioning Matters
If Ran could redesign one everyday appliance to maximize impact, the choice is obvious and revealing. "The air conditioner and that's exactly why we chose it."
The reasoning highlights a blind spot in how we think about home energy. "It's such a central part of our homes, yet it's often invisible. Unlike lighting or entertainment, we rarely think about it, but it consumes a massive share of household energy."
"Making it smarter is one of the most impactful things we can do for both comfort and the planet," Ran emphasizes. It's the perfect embodiment of his comfort-sustainability thesis: the appliance with the biggest environmental footprint is also the one most critical to our daily comfort.
A New Definition of "Nice to Have"
When asked what message he hopes people take from this conversation, Ran doesn't hold back. "That the smart home isn't just a 'nice to have.' It's a key part of how we can live comfortably and responsibly because its impact on the environment is enormous."
The path forward, according to Ran, isn't about choosing between living well and living responsibly. It's about recognizing that with the right technology, those goals are identical.
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