HomeKit Automation
Automation can be set up in Apple Home, in the manufacturer's own app, or you can program it yourself on HomeLAB. I will provide specific instructions for each type of automation in the next series of articles.
For those who are just starting to get into Smart Homes, most people usually stop at simple needs such as: upgrading devices so they can turn devices on and off like switches, light bulbs, adjust color and brightness, turn the air conditioner or fan on and off via the app, on a smartphone.
However, the value of a smart home is not that simple. The ultimate goal is combined automation.
1. What is HomeKit Automation?
HomeKit Automation is a feature of Apple HomeKit that allows users to create automated scenarios for smart devices in the home. Instead of having to control devices manually, you can set up automatic actions based on specific events or conditions.
2. Components of HomeKit Automation
2.1 Triggers:
- Time: Automations can be triggered at a specific time or within a certain time period, for example turning on the lights at sunset or turning them off at midnight.
- Location: Based on your location, such as when you leave or arrive home.
- Sensors: Using data from sensors such as motion sensors, door sensors, or environmental sensors.
- Device activity: Triggered based on the state of other devices, such as when a device is turned on or off.
2.2 Conditions:
- Additional conditions help refine when an Automation will be triggered, for example only when someone is at home, or only on certain days of the week.
2.3 Actions:
- The actions that devices will perform when an Automation is triggered, such as turning lights on/off, adjusting the temperature, or locking/unlocking doors.
3. Which devices can create Automations?
3.1 Smart lights:
Smart lights such as Philips Hue, LIFX, and Nanoleaf can be controlled to turn on/off, change brightness, and adjust colors according to automated scenarios.
3.2 Smart plugs:
Most smart plugs in HomeKit can be used to create automations. Additionally, for plugs with current measurement and energy consumption statistics, you can create automations based on those detailed parameters, allowing you to automatically turn non-smart electrical devices on and off.
3.3 Smart switches:
Zigbee smart switches that work with HomeKit or native "Works with Apple HomeKit" switches help you control lights and ceiling fans remotely and according to automated scenarios.
3.4 Sensors:
Various types of sensors such as motion sensors, light level sensors, human presence sensors, water leak detectors, door/window sensors, temperature and humidity sensors can all be used to create automations that are automatically triggered when they detect a change in state.
3.5 Smart locks:
Smart locks such as August Smart Lock and Schlage Sense can automatically lock/unlock according to specific scenarios, and can be combined with the Bluetooth of a personal mobile device like an iPhone to detect when you leave or return home and automatically open/close the door.
3.6 Security cameras:
Smart cameras that work with HomeKit such as Aqara, Logitech Circle View, and EufyCam support HomeKit Secure Video and can trigger automations based on motion or sound detection.
3.7 Smart blind and curtain controllers:
Smart curtain controllers that work with HomeKit can be combined with light intensity sensors to automatically open/close according to natural light or time of day.
3.8 Speakers:
Speakers such as Apple HomePod and Sonos One can be integrated into automation scenarios to play music or announcements. They can play announcement clips in Vietnamese using the voice of the "head of the household" or of a programmed AI.
4. Supporting software
Due to HomeKit's limitations in accessing detailed device parameters, we need to combine it with two free apps to read detailed metrics of devices, such as current, voltage, power consumption, etc. of electrical equipment.
Those two apps are EVE and Controller for Home. Details
Conclusion
HomeKit Automation helps you optimize convenience and fully unlock the value of smart devices in your home, turning daily tasks into simple and efficient automated scenarios.