We all knew it would happen eventually, but I certainly didn’t expected it to happen so soon: Siri has been used for home automation.
It’s a rather complicated process, and it was only used to turn on a fan, but it’s still pretty neat and I’m sure there’s more to come.
The programmer, Christoper Deutsch, gives a detailed account of the process on this blog.
HAI Adds Configuration by Room Update to HAI Home Control Systems
HAI, has made a significant update to their controllers and interfaces that allows the configuration of items by room.
Using the new update, homeowners can use their iPhone, iPod, or iPad to quickly dial into a specific room. From one page, they can access everything in that room, including settings for lights, temperatures, audio/video, and more.
Using HAI’s PC Access software, dealers can provide custom room text like “Living Room”, “Master Bedroom”, and “Patio”, and classify which automated devices belong in every room. That information is then distributed to and accessible from every enhanced interface in the home. This enhancement will first be available for Snap-Link Mobile for iPhone, and will be incorporated into HAI’s other award-winning interfaces.
Additionally, the HAI controller will now store settings for the configuration of IP devices such as HAI Dock, HAI Music Gateway, and IP surveillance cameras. This allows easier and reduced installation times since supported interfaces can retrieve settings directly from the controller.
These new developments will be incorporated into HAI’s next controller firmware update, expected in September 2011. All items are backwards compatible. Users of Snap-Link Mobile for iPhone will receive free upgrades.
In the same way Apple seems to have an app for everything, the uses of home automation are also limitless. Say you have an annoying neighbor who lets his dog go on your lawn and always forgets to scoop up after it. Well, it’s possible to put motion sensors in your yard set to activate the sprinkler system when they sense a disturbance. A few impromptu doggie baths will soon give both man and beast the message that your property is off-limits.
If lawn justice isn’t your thing, check out some the other benefits of home automation in our ongoing series.
Home automation is not merely about convenience and energy savings; it is about security as well. Security is at the forefront of all homeowners’ minds, including yours. Your home control system can be programmed to do virtually anything you need it to do. Motion detectors, glass break sensors, carbon detectors, smoke detectors, are just the beginning. Your automation system makes your home smart. When the motion detectors are tripped, your system will call you and tell you which motion detector went off. When there is a fire, your smoke detectors will signal the air conditioner to turn off so as to not spread smoke throughout the house. These are but a few examples of how your home automation system can protect your home, your belongings, and, more importantly, your family.
Lighting
Imagine waking up at 3 o’clock in the morning to go to the bathroom only to be blinded by the bathroom lights. As you can envision, depending on your now compromised ability to see, lighting control is a system that quickly becomes a necessity in any home. HAI’s UPB Dimmer Switch will make sure this won’t happen again. Your home automation system allows you to set light brightness levels. For example, set your bathroom lights at 40% during the night and never worry about being painfully jolted early in the morning again. And try HAI Scene Switch to set up to 4 lighting scenes in a zone: dim for a party or bright for breakfast- you’re in complete control because you set it up. HAI’s lighting control switches work alone and with the control panel, soif your automation system malfunctions, your lights will continue working.
The Mile High Automation Design Consultation lets you know about the options avaliable for personalizing the appearance of your home automation system.
While the programming and functions of your system might be advanced, the first thing you mother-in-law and neighbors are going to see are the faceplates of your touchscreens and the color of your light switches.
We have many options for changing the color and finish of your touchscreen faceplates, wall plates, light switches, intercoms, speakers, and touchscreen interfaces to nail that first impression.
Just fill out the form indicating what colors and finishes you would like and click the Submit button. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at any time.
Garage door control is always a client favorite. The HAI Garage Door Control Module and our advanced programing give you total control over your garage door(s). Automatically close or open the doors over the internet; full control is at your fingertips.
The HAI Garage Door Control Module controls up to 4 doors, works with all garage door systems, features powerful programming options, and can automatically close your garage when you go to bed.
The Garage Door Sensor is a special door contact that is intended for use on garage doors. It can be integrated with a garage door module and alert the automation system of when the garage door is open or closed.
Mile High Automation offers countless solutions for your home. Give us a call to learn more about home automation 800-610-5280.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted any touch screen designs so I thought it was time to share a couple…
We have had a lot of requests for the Paradise theme below. This is a clean and calming design that puts the features you use right on the home page. This eliminates many of the buttons and options and boils the interface down to the buttons you will use everyday.
Here’s Paradise:
Our other creation, Glow, takes the same idea but gives it a totally different spin. The bright neon colors and frosted glass panels make the touch screen irresistable to touch…
Here’s Glow:
We would love some feedback on these. What do you think?
We always welcome ideas for other touch screen designs you would like to see. Send your ideas to design@milehighautomation.com. If we end up using your idea we will send you an official 2010 Mile High Automation t-shirt!
Lighting design is an important and often overlooked aspect of home automation and is probably the feature you use most in your home. You may or may not use the multi-room audio daily but you will definitely use your lights every single day. You need your lights to navigate through your home at night, to answer a child’s cry, or to stumble to the bathroom. These are problems that are easily solved through a home lighting design. Lights are not simply functional; they can be expressive as well. Lighting design can set a mood for every type of room in your home for any particular occasion.
Lighting design increases your enjoyment with your home. Lights are a very powerful element in creating moods. Ever notice how dining out at that chic café is so much more enjoyable as opposed to your own kitchen table? The answer lies within the lighting design. Lights create anything from a warm comfortable atmosphere while dining with guests to softly lit pathways to the bathroom for the children at night.
Lighting design not only increases your satisfaction with your home, it also adds security, value, and energy savings. With HAI Lighting Control (HLC) you can experience all of the benefits of a sophisticated lighting control system that is affordable and easy to install. The HLC product line includes dimmers, switches, remote controls, and plug-in modules. Lighting design can become part of your security system several ways; when a motion detector is tripped the outdoor flood lights can flash on or if the smoke detectors are set off your lighting control can make your front porch lights blink on and off to signal distress.
Lighting design is multifunctional in that it creates moods, is a key element in safety, makes your home more valuable, and can put money back in your pocket. But all of these attributes mean nothing if creating your own lighting concept is not easily accomplished. Let’s face it: navigating your home at night can be dangerous. Feeling blindly along the wall for the nearest light switch is the last thing any sleepy homeowner wants. On the other hand, home owners do not want to have to walk around the entire house to turn off lights or accidently leave them on overnight, wasting energy.
Remote control lighting is the answer. This gives you the ability to turn on or off a hallway light or an outside light or the rec room light from the touchscreen in your bedroom. Your lighting design will ensure that no lights will ever have to be left on overnight.
As you have seen, lighting control can enhance the enjoyment and value of your home, add security for peace of mind, and decrease costs on your energy bill. You can experience all of the benefits of a sophisticated lighting control system easily and affordably. Homeowners can have sophisticated lighting control in a home theater or living room and add rooms as needs grow. Additionally HLC switches can be tied into an HAI home control system or any UPB compatible automation controller for full-fledged integrated lighting control coordinated with other events, such as time, motion, security modes, etc.
All HLC products are extremely easy to install – no modifications to the home are required. These plug and play products are an easy way to add a touch of class to any home.
Mile High Automation is proud to announce that we are, in connection with Blind Corners and Curves, offering motorized shades and blinds. Blind Corners and Curves (BCC) have been providing quality products and installation since 1997. Our clients will benefit from this relationship immensely. BCC, in addition to being a key account for Hunter Douglas, has a custom manufacturing facility on-site for the creation of motorized blinds to fit oddly shaped windows (a staple in current construction). Our customers have been asking for shade and blind motorization and natural light control for a long time and we are now able to offer it.
The systems can be designed and installed for a pre-construction or a retrofit application through the use of wireless remote controls. We will integrate your standard lighting control system to work with your new natural lighting control system and function according to scene control, alarm status, vacation mode or even the astronomical clock. This will allow you to have absolute control over how your home is lit whether you are home or away, day or night.
The benefits of natural light control are great. Proper window covering and control will save your furniture, rugs and expensive artwork from the damaging rays of the sun. Think of it as SPF for your possessions. BCC will work with designers, architects, builders, homeowners and Mile High Automation to be certain your home gets what it needs.
Please get in touch with us and we will work with you and BCC to create the natural lighting control system you need. Check out their website at www.bccblinds.com to see the choices they have to offer.
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