What Systems to use for my specific needs

[ironlion27]

Total Automation Noob.  Been youtubing installs for months but can't get off dead center on which systems/protocols & software all play nicely together to meet my end goals.
 
Here is what I'm looking to do;

• Automated switches (lights, thermostat etc.) - this is the easy part {need to just us a protocol that works with the software(s) to meet the rest of my goals}
• Need remote control by way of android with alarm/notification pushes to my device
• need to be able to voice control (ok with using my phone as the input point)
• Need to be able to voice control XBMC and Samsung Smart TV.
• Need RFID/NFC door locks 

 
Please advise what protocols and controllers etc.  you would recommend for being able to do something that meets these goals.  Thanks.

 

[etc6849]

Here's some free software to look over that I use:
http://cocoontech.com/forums/page/home-automation-software/_/premise-r3
 
I'd recommend a GC-100-12 and a Z-Wave setup as described here:  http://cocoontech.com/forums/files/file/176-vrc0p-z-wave-module-for-premise/
 
As for voice control, I have a module I'm planning to post for Premise.  It uses a python script under Android that triggers google voice search.  This text is then processed by a natural language processing scripts I wrote for Premise.
 
Tasker is what I use for NFC control of door locks (or whatever you want):  
http://cocoontech.com/forums/topic/22138-nfc-tags-and-premise-for-6-or-less-requires-an-android-based-phone-with-nfc-support/

 

[Automate]

Another free option is http://www.opensourceautomation.com/index.php it has a Android application

 

[MrGibbage]

If you use PowerHome for control, you can use an app that I wrote, the PowerHome Connector for Android. It doesn't do voice input, but that does sound interesting. I could probably add that if I understood the use cases.
http://skipstechtalk.net/powerhome-connector-for-android/
http://power-home.com/default.aspx

 

[electron]

Welcome to CocoonTech!
 
Check the link in my sig to figure out the software side, but Homeseer, CQC, Premise are probably the most flexible and popular solutions, but there is tons of software out there.  Power Home offers many interesting features and is very affordable.  Not sure if it's still being actively developed, but they were the first to let you manage your INSTEON network, so I'd consider them as well if you are considering INSTEON hardware.
 
As for a hardware controller, the SmartThings controller might be another good option, it's designed to be extremely user friendly, and relies on a hosted service (refuse to use the C word ) to give you access to your system.  Currently supports Z-Wave and ZigBee.  I'm going to try to post an initial review soon, as I already received mine, and just need to take some unboxing pics before I can play.
 
You should be able to voice control any home automation system via Tasker integration (as long as it has a web service), so that requirement isn't too difficult, but not a fan of VR myself.
 
As for door locks, I would stick with the few that are on the market right now (Yale, Kwikset, Schlage, etc.) which supports Z-Wave or ZigBee, instead of going with one of those IndieGoGo NFC type locks (you can automate it via Tasker if needed).
 
As for protocols, Z-Wave is the most popular, then INSTEON, UPB, X10, and ZigBee (expensive still).  There are also new players on the market, such as Ube, but the hardware isn't available yet.