I have been focusing lately on trying to help people living with a disability regain some of their independence using Vera-based home automation systems to do the simple things like turning on/off lights, fans, open doors, etc. These simple actions are things that some of my customers previously had to get their Carers to do.
So here’s what I’m wondering - many of my customers have limited strength and dexterity so even using a touchscreen is difficult. I have been trying hard to get some voice control working and have had some luck with the built in voice control on the VeraMate App on an iPhone but reliability of the App itself is still a bit of an issue.
Is there anyone out there who can recommend some good Vera compatible solutions to help people in these situations? Better Voice Control or even alternative solutions?
I know there are options like Amazon Echo, etc but I haven’t yet had the time or budget to test them.
amazon echo dot is the way to go.
$40/e
put them all over the house
then you can control, lights, fans, things plugged into zwave outlets… etc. with your voice
You can try Vera Concierge Agent … it’s available via the Google Assistant App on Android, and iPhone (iPad as well if you tell it you want to access iPhone apps as well). Also you can use with Google Home.
You can create shortcut phrases as well (via Google Assistant, a new feature) to better match what the user is saying in case of speech issues.
It’s more work to set up, but Android plus Tasker plus Auto Vera plus Auto Voice apps is your most powerful and flexible option. It’s not conversational, e.g. you hard map a voice command to some functions, but the attempts at conversation from some interfaces gets old quick.
Beyond that, I’ve found almost everything in the house can be largely automated with sensors, scenes and timers. Not much beyond home entertainment needs explicit interaction.
[quote=“mvader, post:2, topic:196450”]amazon echo dot is the way to go.
$40/e
put them all over the house
then you can control, lights, fans, things plugged into zwave outlets… etc. with your voice[/quote]
Amazon Echo is not yet properly available in Australia but once it is I will be all over it. Is it now working seamlessly with the Vera?
[quote=“RichardTSchaefer, post:3, topic:196450”]You can try Vera Concierge Agent … it’s available via the Google Assistant App on Android, and iPhone (iPad as well if you tell it you want to access iPhone apps as well). Also you can use with Google Home.
You can create shortcut phrases as well (via Google Assistant, a new feature) to better match what the user is saying in case of speech issues.[/quote]
Haven’t tried Vera Concierge Agent so will give that a go. Have used a number of your other Apps so I’m sure this one will work just as well. Most of my customers are iOS users but I do have one lady confined to her bed who uses a Samsung so will trial it with her.
I have implemented auto control using sensors for a number of things like some lighting but most people don’t like their AC, fans, etc. turning on by themselves.
[quote=“sameri, post:5, topic:196450”]Thanks guys. Great suggestions.
[quote=“mvader, post:2, topic:196450”]amazon echo dot is the way to go.
$40/e
put them all over the house
then you can control, lights, fans, things plugged into zwave outlets… etc. with your voice[/quote]
Amazon Echo is not yet properly available in Australia but once it is I will be all over it. Is it now working seamlessly with the Vera?[/quote]
You didn’t mention the Australia part of it
My vera doesn’t work all of the time. it works most of the time though, it’s very cost effective and that’s good enough for me.
however with folks whom have disabilities whom can’t get up and turn on the light themselves, then i don’t
know that the platform is what i would recommend for that situation. I believe the higher end home automation platform are considerably more expensive. so it’s a bit of a trade off.
That’s the problem. In the past these people had to use bespoke systems that cost a fortune, were impossible to program/modify for the average person and really didn’t offer very much functionality.
The Z-Wave gear obviously isn’t perfect but it is cost effective, easy to use and versatile. Makes automation possible for these people who really don’t have a lot of cash. It also fits really well into a lot of the disability schemes here in my state where most schemes will cover material costs but not installation.
I think they will if they get a chance to see it in action. AC and ceiling fans were on the top of my automation list when I started with Vera - and the Z-wave thermostat and fan controllers likely pay for themselves by saving electricity when not in use (although it might take a long time to recover the cost at roughly $150 for z-wave thermostats and fan controllers aren’t cheap either)…
I think they will if they get a chance to see it in action. AC and ceiling fans were on the top of my automation list when I started with Vera - and the Z-wave thermostat and fan controllers likely pay for themselves by saving electricity when not in use (although it might take a long time to recover the cost at roughly $150 for z-wave thermostats and fan controllers aren’t cheap either)…[/quote]
This is true but in my experience many of my customers want to regain/retain their independence which doesn’t always mean getting the HA to do everything for you. If they have the ability to turn on their ceiling fan themselves it is more satisfying than it turning on automatically.
Also, you mentioned a “fan controller”. What do you use for fans? There’s no official fan controllers available in Australia that I was aware of so would be keen to try to get some gear imported and complianced if it’s available overseas (and available in AU/NZ frequency).
Overhead or Personal and more to the point if it’s overhead what type of controller is already in use?
I’m currently working on a 4 channel z-wave relay based around a Z-UNO which would enable you to switch between the dump resistors giving you 4 settings- ON/Off-1-2-3. If you need more then you could go to eight.
If it’s a personal then it would be better to use a dimmer.
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