Beginner Interested in Home Automation

[adamt]

Hello everyone,

I am looking into installing home automation. The features I am looking for are listed below. I was considering using HAL but, now I am not sure. I want to use voice control using my iphone. Preferably siri like I have seen on this forum already. I am going to use UPB switches due to the ease and hassle free installation. So my questions are, what do you guys recommend is the best setup for what I am looking for? What will I need to have control, and zones on 8 to 10 speakers? I have researched a lot but, I still feel overwhelmed an do not know what to start ordering. I appreciate all the help in advanced. I hope it makes sense what I am looking for.


Living Room

Thermostat
Alaram system
Lamp
Celing Fan
Home Theater
Kitchen Lights
Pool Light
Acess Audio/ Video Play list
Speakers

- Trigger #5 ñ voice recognition ñ The switch turns on (or off) when you speak a command.
Kitchen

Lights
Music

- Trigger #5 ñ voice recognition ñ The switch turns on (or off) when you speak a command.

Den

Ceiling fan
Music
- Trigger #5 ñ voice recognition ñ The switch turns on (or off) when you speak a command.

Guest Bathroom

Light
music
- Trigger #5 ñ voice recognition ñ The switch turns on (or off) when you speak a command.

Guest Bedroom
Lights
music
- Trigger #5 ñ voice recognition ñ The switch turns on (or off) when you speak a command.

Garage

Garage Door
Lights
Music
- Trigger #5 ñ voice recognition ñ The switch turns on (or off) when you speak a command.

Outside

Doors locked /unlocked
Lights

- Trigger #3 ñ sunrise / sunset. The switch turns on (or off) at sunrise or sunset (or at a time relative to sunrise or sunset)
- Trigger #4 ñ changes occur in your home ñ The switch turns on (or off) when motion is sensed or a security system alert occurs or when the door bell rings, etc.

Master Bath

Lights
music

- Trigger #5 ñ voice recognition ñ The switch turns on (or off) when you speak a command.
Master Bedroom

Lights
fan
Tv
Doors locked
Video
- Trigger #5 ñ voice recognition ñ The switch turns on (or off) when you speak a command.

 

[adamt]

22 views and no responses. Please I need some help guys.

 

[Del91574]

Slightly NSFW, but here's how I feel voice activated items are in terms of technology at the moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mgWES4oBhs

 

[adamt]

Slightly NSFW, but here's how I feel voice activated items are in terms of technology at the moment.

Thats pretty funny. But, you did not give me any insight with home automation. lol

 

[wuench]

Voice recognition isn't really there yet. And there isn't really a lot of concrete info on that Siri video and looks like it requires a lot of hoops to jump through, using Siri to do something outside of it's design. So that means support is gonna be sketchy at best.

You have to build up your HA system, start with a good foundation, get things working. If HA was a cake, VR is the cherry on top.

Elk or HAI will cover Security, and Input/Output control for things like your garage door.
Sounds like you want whole house audio, maybe look at Russound or Nuvo
Video is pretty much a separate setup
HAI can give you all of this in one solution.

If you want more intelligent rules, then you probably want software like CQC, Elve, Homeseer, HAL. Except for HAL, none of that give you VR. HAL seems like the best product to have VR built if you want to use your phone. If you are thinking about using a microphone in each room you'll need mixers/gating etc and it's probably not going to work with background noise etc. Your into rolling your own custom solution, so you can try the Siri/Raspberry Pi solution in that video or something else.

 

[JonW]

Totally agree with the other posts... VR just isn't there yet. Sure you could do the Siri hack and get it working, but I think having to talk to the house to turn lights on and off would get old fast. Honestly, an iPhone app to control all aspects of the HA out of the box would get you a nice level of control. You can always work on adding the VR later. It's more important to get functional lighting and audio/video first. Also make sure you are taking into consideration how others will use/control your house. e.g. spouse, kids, visiting relatives, etc.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Voice recognition isn't really there yet. And there isn't really a lot of concrete info on that Siri video and looks like it requires a lot of hoops to jump through, using Siri to do something outside of it's design. So that means support is gonna be sketchy at best.

All the details for how I control my home using Siri are in the video description. Click on the "show more" to see all the details.

Using your mobile phone is much better in my opinion. I don't have a PhD on the subject, but VR is all about three things for practical applications:
1. Convenience - ease of setup and use - check
2. Proximity - distance from user for reliable recognition and noise cancellation - check
3. Context - verbal or physical - check

The mobile device seems to provide the right solution, at least for me. With my phone connected to my Car Bluetooth hands free, I can VPN into my house, invoke Siri to disarm the house, open the garage door, and turn on the lights.


Once I had SiriProxy installed it took me three calendar days over a long holiday weekend to get the basic functionality. I created a RPi SD card image which I posted on SF to make it easier to get started. It does required some Ruby programming, but there is a lot help from user communities like this one.
All my SiriProxy plugins are open source along with many others. Just read the video details which has info and links. I can't guarantee I will have the time to help, but I can at least point people in the right direction. I try to document everything I do and make it publicity available, so others can follow and customize for their setup and needs.

Start with getting your system installed first then you can always add VR later. When making choices pick products and devices that have networking capability and documented APIs.

Cheers!

Elvis

 

[jmorris644]

I would check this thread out.


http://cocoontech.com/forums/topic/22756-diy-home-automation-full-house-help/

Joe