Smart Home Voice Control: Voice-Activated Home Automation Scenes
Posted on 19th June 2023
As the internet of things continues to grow, so too does the number of devices that can be controlled by voice commands. From turning on the lights to starting the coffee pot, there are a growing number of tasks that can be completed hands-free. This convenience is particularly appealing in the morning, when getting out of bed and starting the day often requires the use of several different devices.
By creating automation scenes, users can string together a number of different tasks and activate them with a single voice command. For example, a morning routine could include turning on the lights, starting the coffee pot, and opening the blinds. Or, a bedtime routine could include turning off the lights, setting the thermostat, and locking the doors.
In addition to convenience, automation scenes can also help save energy. For example, a scene that turns off all the lights and appliances in the house when everyone goes to bed can help reduce energy consumption.
To create an automation scene, users first need to identify the devices they want to include and the actions they want those devices to perform. Once the scene is created, it can be activated by voice commands or through the mobile app.
The steps for creating an automation scene are as follows:
1. Open the mobile app and tap on the Automation tab.
2. Tap on the “+” icon to create a new scene.
3. Give the scene a name and tap on the “Devices” tab.
4. Select the devices you want to include in the scene.
5. Tap on the “Actions” tab and select the actions you want those devices to perform.
6. Tap on the “Trigger” tab and select how you want to activate the scene.
7. Tap on the “Save” button to save the scene.
Once the scene is saved, it can be activated by voice commands or through the mobile app. To activate the scene by voice, users simply need to say the name of the scene. For example, to activate the morning routine, users would say “Hey Google, turn on the morning routine.”
To activate the scene through the mobile app, users first need to open the app and tap on the Automation tab. From there, they can select the scene they want to activate and tap on the “Run” button.
scenes can be activated by voice commands or through the mobile app
What is a Scene?
A scene is a collection of settings that can be applied to your home automation system all at once. For example, you might have a scene that turns on all the lights in your living room, another that opens the curtains and another that starts playing music.
How to Create a Scene
To create a scene, you’ll first need to decide what settings you want to include. Once you know that, you can start creating the scene in your smart home app.
1. Choose a Name and Icon
Every scene needs a name and an icon. The name will help you identify the scene later, so choose something that’s descriptive and easy to remember. The icon can be anything you want, but it’s usually a good idea to choose something that will help you remember what the scene does.
2. Add Settings
Once you’ve chosen a name and icon, you can start adding settings to your scene. To do that, you’ll need to open up the “Scene” tab in your smart home app and select the “Add Setting” button.
3. Select the Device and Action
For each setting, you’ll need to select the device that you want to control and the action that you want to happen. For example, if you want to turn on a light, you would select the “Light” device and the “On” action.
4. Repeat for each Setting
Once you’ve added all of the settings you want, you can save your scene and give it a try. To do that, just select the “Scene” tab in your smart home app and choose the scene you want to run.
Common Uses for Scenes
Scenes can be used for all sorts of things, but here are some of the most common uses:
1. Turning on all the Lights
One of the most common uses for scenes is turning on all the lights in your home. This can be handy when you’re coming home at night and want to make sure your house is well-lit.
2.Opening the Curtains
Another common use for scenes is opening the curtains in the morning. This can help you wake up and start your day.
3. Starting a Movie
Scenes can also be used to start a movie. This can be handy if you want to get everything set up before you start watching.
4. Turning off all the Lights
When you’re ready for bed, you can use a scene to turn off all the lights in your house. This can help you save energy and get a good night’s sleep.
Conclusion
Scenes are a great way to automate your home. They can be used for all sorts of things, from turning on all the lights to starting a movie. To create a scene, you’ll need to choose a name and icon, and then add settings. Once you’ve saved your scene, you can run it by selecting it in your smart home app.
Voice Control with Google Home and Amazon Echo
If you want to get really hands-free, you can set up voice control with Google Home or Amazon Echo. Both devices allow you to control your smart home devices with just your voice.
To set up voice control with Google Home, first make sure you have a compatible device. Then, open the Google Home app and tap the “Devices” button in the top right corner. Next, tap the “+” button and select “Set up device.” Choose “Have something already set up?” and select your device from the list. Finally, follow the instructions to finish setting up your device.
To set up voice control with Amazon Echo, first open the Amazon Alexa app and tap the “Devices” button in the bottom right corner. Next, tap the “+” button and select “Add device.” Choose “Add your own device” and follow the instructions to finish setting up your device.
Once you have your device set up, you can start controlling your smart home with just your voice. To do this, simply say “Hey [Google/Amazon], turn on [device name].” You can also create scenes with voice control. To do this, say “Hey [Google/Amazon], turn on [scene name].”
Voice control is a great way to control your smart home if you don’t want to use your hands or if you want to be able to control your smart home while you’re doing other things.
