Those of us who have jumped into the home automation pool have done so for a variety of reasons. Once in the pool, we discover certain things about home automation we really like. For me, the big thing is voice control.
The things we are able to do with our systems are known in the community as ‘automations’. So the routine that turns my living room lights on every morning at 5:30am is just one of many automations I have programmed into my system. Thinking about this caused me to wonder what types of automations other people appreciate.
I did some research and ran across a Google blog attempting to answer the very same question. Apparently, Google Home and Nest employees have their own ideas, some of which are discussed below. Bear in mind that while all of them are related directly to Google Home products, they can be replicated with most home automation platforms – including Amazon Alexa and Vivint Home Security.
1. Welcoming Guests at Night
Google offers an automation known as ‘warm welcome’. Here’s how it works: during the overnight hours, a system’s video doorbell will detect someone approaching the front door and immediately increase porch, landscaping, and patio lighting to 100%. More light equals more safety for guests.
Easily replicated with other platforms, the automation takes advantage of a doorbell camera’s ability to act as a motion sensor. When motion is sensed, exterior lighting is fully illuminated. It is a brilliant idea.
2. Scene Change Motivations
Next up in the Google post is an automation that changes scenes for one of the company’s remote employees. This particular employee gets a reminder at 6pm that it’s time for her workout. The reminder comes in via her smart speaker. At the same time, her home office lights go out while the lights in her home gym go on. This simple automation motivates her to stick to her exercise routine rather than allowing work to get in the way.
I lean on reminders all the time. Like this employee, I have reminders come in through my smart speaker. But I confess to never having used my system as a motivation to exercise. If that is what it takes for some people, more power to them.
3. Nightly Security Check
Yet another Google employee created an automation that checks all the windows and doors at a set time every night. If any are unlocked, he gets a reminder on his smart speaker and phone. He then knows to take care of any unlocked windows or doors before he goes to bed.
There is one way he could make this automation even better: install smart locks. The same routine that checks all of the windows and doors could lock any doors equipped with smart locks. That would probably mean fewer trips to unlock windows and doors every evening.
It’s Not Just Google Home
There are several more automations I could discuss before closing this post. However, I want to drive home the point that such automations are not exclusive to Google Home. If you have a Vivint smart home system, you can create all sorts of automations. Likewise for Amazon and Apple platforms.
I use an open-source platform not tied to any particular brand. I have access to unlimited automations as well. That’s one of the great things about modern home automation. If you can think of an automation and have the devices to support it, you can make it happen. And from my experience, it is worth the time and effort to learn how to do it.
