Pretty much every household these days is equipped with Wi-Fi. If that’s the case with your household, you can convert your regular appliances into smart ones and set up smart home automation at a reasonable price.
In this article, we will be learning about how to set up smart home automation using the Amazon Echo Dot.
The Amazon Echo Dot isn’t the cheapest option available for a smart assistant, but it is the ideal one, because the cheapest Amazon Alexa device doesn’t have a speaker, which limits the device in its functionality.
Things you would require
There are different Amazon devices available at different price ranges. Here is a smart plug type assistant that is the easiest to get started if you are only looking to control smart devices in your home.
Starting from Amazon Echo Dot, the devices also have got inbuilt speakers that help interact with Alexa and ask direct questions, getting notified a lot about a lot of things without having to use your mobile phone.
Then there are is Amazon Echo with or a bigger speaker and a few more features. There are also Alexa devices with clocks and screens.
So, as I said, the Amazon Echo Dot is the best choice for getting started with Home Automation.
Amazon Echo Dot
The Amazon Echo Dot (3rd generation) is available on Amazon at Rs 2000. The 4th-generation Amazon Echo Dot is also available for a little higher price, Rs 3500, but the basic functionality is similar on both devices.
So, if you have to stay under a budget, Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation) is a perfect choice since it is currently running on sale. Amazon is selling the Amazon echo in different bundles where you can add, if not well, for an extra 50, or a smart plug for Rs 300 or Rs 500 the smart plug for large appliances.
The Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation is effectively Rs 1500.
Smart Lights
The first thing you would want to control using Alexa would be the lights. They are smart bulbs and smart LED tube lights available, which can easily be set up and be controlled using Alexa.
Smart bulbs are available on Amazon starting range is Rs 499
Smart Appliances
New generation electronics such as air conditioners and TVs are equipped with smart home capabilities. If you have got older generation TVs and air conditioners or any other electronic device, you can use smart plugs to turn them on off using Alexa’s voice.
10A smart plugs are for small appliances like TV, coffee maker, etc., and 16A smart plug is for large appliances such as TV, Geyser, Water motor, etc.
Smart Universal IR Remote
Another way to control AC and TV without buying smart plugs for these devices is if you use a smart Universal IR remote. The benefit of the universal IR remote is that you can set up smart remotes for a lot of devices, and then you can control them using your voice with Alexa.
That one that I am using was just Rs 1000 and controls the air conditioner, RGB light, room heater as well as the TV. Every device that has got an IR remote can be controlled using the smart Universal IR remote.
Read more about the Smart IR Remote
Set up the Amazon Echo Dot
The process of setting up Amazon Echo Dot or any other Alexa device is pretty straightforward. Install the Amazon Alexa app on your iPhone or Android, then turn on the device, and follow the instructions.
Within 5 minutes, it will be connected to the internet, start recognizing your voice, and start answering your questions.
Setup smart devices using a single app
Smart lights and smart plugs are available from different brands, and these bands are their dedicated apps which you can install to set up these smart lights and appliances, but if you are using a lot of devices from different brands, he could mean you will have to install many apps.
Fortunately, a single app works as a universal hub where you can set up all the smart devices.
The app is called SmartLife, which is available for both Android and iPhone. And the setup is also pretty easy. Once you have installed the app, you have to sign up using your email and add smart devices.
I am using smart plugs and smart lights with some friends, but I can use the Smart Life app to control them all.
The good thing about the Smart Life app is that it also has got visit support, so you can set up buttons on the homepage of your Android or iPhone to make your smartphone work as a smart remote.
The smart Life app lets you easily link your account to Alexa or Google assistant. Go to the profile section by typing on me, then tapping on the Alexa logo, and then linking it to the Amazon Alexa app.
Once the smart Life app is linked with Alexa, you will be able to control all the devices that are set up using the Smart Life app with Alexa.
Different use cases for the Alexa echo dot
Alexa Echo Dot can be used with any member of the family. It can also learn voice is so that it can recognize the person and give results accordingly to personalize the experience.
You can get answers to so many different questions by simply asking Alexa, which is useful for both kids and grown-ups as well.
It has routines where Alexa performs several actions for a simple phrase such as start my day or good morning or good afternoon or good night.
For example, you can set up a routine for the good morning where Alexa reads news for you and tells you about the weather forecast for the day as well as the traffic to the office. And when you say Good Night, you can set it up to turn off all the lights out on a specific appliance.
Buy Smart Bulbs and Smart Plugs
Get started with Alexa skills and routine
Amazon Alexa vs. Google Assistant, which one is better for you?
