Voice commands (Alexa and Google Home) for Home automation

We at Anusha Technovision (ATPL) are updated with the latest technologies to provide the customers with the best and latest solutions. Currently, home automation based on voice control is what is trending these days and within this context- we introduce you to Alexa and Google Home (GH). 

Yes, Alexa from Amazon and GH from Google, help to provide the home owner, the next level of automation by providing voice controls to an automated home. Voice Control is meaningful for smart-home users, because it lets one control all the connected devices, without having to take out the phone and launch an app. 
Alexa can respond to voice commands from almost anywhere within hearing distances; and the good thing is that unlike like the smart phone, there’s no activation button to press. Simply say the right word (either “Alexa,” “Hey Google”) followed by what you want to happen, and the task will be done—as long as it been set up properly and you are using the correct command. It lets you speak your choice of words and see them being fulfilled such as dimming your lights or playing music tracks and much more.

So who can do all this setup for you?

It's us!  AnushaTechnovision(ATPL) can configure your Alexa/GH with an existing home automation system. And once done, you can call for different lighting moods, play a specific channel on your TV, control your shades, turn on/off your HVAC; in simple words, control each and everything under the system with just a mere voice command, making life simpler than ever—all while your phone stays in the pocket.

We can configure each and every command as per your choice of specific words. Once you get used to the command/quirks, using ALEXA/GH feels much more natural and responsive as compared to a phone-based voice assistant like Apple’s Siri. As a result, you are likely to find yourself using your phone less frequently when you’re at home.  If you thought the transition from flipping light switches to pressing smartphone buttons was game-changing, then having Voice commands control your tasks will be even more satisfying in a true-geek way. And after usage over a couple of months, if you need any tweaks, we even provide a complimentary visit for a final setup of all your ALEXA/GH commands. 

Next step in voice commands?

     Recognizing the voice command of the person and acting accordingly. Some baby steps have been made by Google and Amazon so that a Home owner may not want his hired help to be able to do the same thing that his own voice does.Completing multiple actions with one voice command such as “dim  lights, play music and also turn the bath on”,  at the same time, is not possible, at least yet.

However, we firmly believe that Alexa/GH isn’t a comprehensive smart-home system. It won’t replace a well-programmed graphic user interface on your IPad or iPhone, and at least as of now, it won’t allow for complex integrations of multiple devices (“turn the lights green when rock music plays in the kitchen” is not a valid command), and it won’t always be the most practical means of interacting with your other devices. Rather, we should think of it as an interface for your smart home, that provides additional means of control and functionality that an app on your phone can’t. This makes it an easier product to rely upon!

-Alok Hada, Director, Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd

Switches

All modern comforts today in a home, that can be related to technology - from lighting, fans, A/c, entertainment to kitchen appliances, have one thing common - the little button that transforms the sleeping tech gadget into a source of enjoyment, comfort or simply getting the work done. Every one of these gadgets has to be turned ON, and therein lies this seemingly common, but very important aspect – A Switch.

Lighting today does not simply have to be on/off, it can be modified to get the perfect level with the help of dimmers. Matching with the technology of the audio systems, the smart switches also give us complete control, to set the light according to mood. 



One of the major reasons of switches giving way to automation keypad is the user friendliness- a keypad is annotated properly, and each button is engraved and designed to remove any confusion about its functionality.

As design and technology are linked closely, the design of the switches has also undergone evolution. The switch stands out on a plain wall, and therefore designers tried to conceal them. Switches have become flatter, crisper, smarter, better-looking and now offer a variety of colors and materials to choose from.

A technology taking the center stage these days is the Palladium keypad by Lutron, a sleek 3x3 inch keypad, with 8 buttons that replaces a complete bank of switches. It is centrally linked to the automation system; as a result, lighting scenes, music or motorizedcurtains shades- everything can be controlled by just one keypad. Each button individually is backlit and custom engraved making it easy for the user to read, under all lighting conditions.

In the near future, I foresee that standalone switches will become obsolete. As home automation systems advance, gadgets will increasingly work as part of a larger ecosystem to provide a one-stop solution for all user needs.

- Alok Hada, Director, Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd

Occupany & Vacancy Sensors

Occupancy & vacancy sensors are small devices designed to detect the presence of a person in a room and accordingly adjust the physical space to the optimal state. These sensors control light, shade and temperature depending on the presence of people, time of day and general weather conditions. Not only is this unique technological invention trendy and appealing due to the lack of effort required to operate the various installments in a room but it is also an ecologically friendly and cost efficient investment.

Now let's see how these sensors have a positive impact of your finances and the environment. From a young age we are told to turn off lights and fans when we leave the room, but how many of us actually remember to do this? Now, it might seems like this is not a large enough concern for many but when we think about centrally air-conditioned spaces where we spend most of our time such as offices, malls, restaurants do you really think about asking someone to turn the temperature of the AC down or turn of the lights when you leave the bathroom? These costs that where always considered fixed are what occupancy and vacancy sensors attempt to reduce, not to mention the positive environmental impact! The occupancy and vacancy sensor can even play a impactful role in residential situations. The light sensors can prove to be crucial in housed with small children to ensure safety, during the evenings and at night, as well as responsible use of electricity. Let's admit it. Children never turn off the light! 

While Occupancy sensors have been around for some time, what has changed is the way they operate and the technology they adopt. For e.g the earlier motion sensors worked on  passive IR Technology where in a major motion was required between the various IR rays emitted by the sensor- for the sensor to detect presence. While these worked fine with places such as hallways and pantry areas, they failed where the motion was very small- such as when a person occupies the office or uses the bathroom. The latest technology sensors are able to detect even minor motion and hence will generally not turn the lights off when you are sitting still and working on your lap top (say). In fact this ability to detect even minor motion could be the main reason for pricing differences, in addition to the sensor coverage areas and the technology they use to function.

Anusha Technovision offers the Radio Power occupancy Wireless sensor through its partnership with Lutron which is equipped with the best technology within the occupancy and vacancy sensor market at the moment complete with daylight sensing ability – for homes as well as for commercial office spaces. These sensors can be stand alone or part of a larger Lighting control system. When they are part of the lighting control system they can be made intelligent  for e.g a home owner could decide that his bathroom lights should turn on every time he walks into the bath room but it should happen only at night time , and in day time he has to manually turn lights on. The sensor of course turns lights off when the bathroom is unoccupied.  “Occupancy sensors can be called the foot soldiers in the fight to conserve energy.” As per Alok Hada Director ATPL.

Smart Lighting Control System

Smart Lighting Control System is an intelligent lighting control Solution. It is an important aspect of our daily life. Light control would allow the ability to regulate the level and quality of light in each space for specific tasks or situations. Controlling light properly not only enhances the experience, it helps to save energy by using light when and where it is needed most.

Smart Lighting control systems features:

a)     Time Clock facility–The house owner could schedule the turning ON/Off the Lights/curtains based on normal/Astronomical time clock.

b)     Occupancy/Vacancy-Many building spaces remaining unoccupied between 40% and 70% of the day, lights left on are a real energy drain. occupancy/vacancy sensors automate the switching and dimming of those lights, saving energy and money.

c)      Daylight availability Amount of daylight that enters a space is an important aspect of  light control. Electric lighting energy use can be adjusted by automatically dimming  and/or switching     electric lights in response to the level of available daylight.

    d)   Mood Lighting Facility – This gives the power to enhance the beauty of any area with the variety of customized lighting scenes (e.g. TV, Relax, Meeting etc.).

    e)    Alarm conditions-Alarm conditions typically include inputs from other building systems such as the fire alarm or HVAC system, which may trigger an emergency 'all lights on' or ' all lights flashing' command for example.

Benefits of Smart Lighting ControlSystem:

     -  The major advantage of a lighting control system over  conventional  manual switching is the ability to control individual lights or groups of  lights of the house from any location with a single user interface   (Keypad,  i-pad/i-phone etc.) device.

     -   Now, we can also control the lighting system with Voice Command, e.g.-   Alexa

     -   Each button on Wired or wireless keypad is custom engraved with    button functionality to make it user friendly.

     -   A major benefit of lighting control systems is reduced energy consumption and reduced electricity bill too.
      - A room may have multiple scenes pre-set, each one created for different activities in the room

       - A major benefit of lighting control systems is reduced energy consumption

       - Longer lamp life is also gained when dimming and switching off lights when not in use

       -  Wireless lighting control systems provide additional benefits including reduced installation costs and increased flexibility over where switches and sensors may be placed.

         

        It adds the comfort, enhance the beauty of interior and conserve the energy!

Motorized Shading System (Part 2)

What's in store?

SivoiaQS is the next generation of shading technology from Lutron, and the ideal solution for total light control. Its simplified wiring and common communication language allows for easy integration with Lutron lighting controls. Control electric light and daylight now at the touch of a button! It offers precision control of shades in one room, multiple rooms, or an entire home or building all at the touch of a button. Using the proprietary Clear Connect™ RF Technology from Lutron, Sivoia QS Wireless directly integrates with Lutron lighting control systems, delivering total light control to any space.

Features:

·         Precision Control of Daylight

·         Total Light Control

·         Ultra-Quite Performance

·         Easy to Design, Install and Integrate

·         Simple Operation, Beautiful Aesthetics

Add convenience :

•        Adjust shades with a wire-free handheld or wall-mounted control from anywhere in the room

•        A single button press adjusts hard-to-reach window treatments

•        Operate quietly to prevent disruption in any space

•        Cord-free design makes this solution safe for homes with young children or pets

 

 Enhance your décor :

•        Choose from beautiful fabrics, colors, styles, and textures

•        Give your room a crisp, clean look that complements many decorating styles

Save energy :

•        Lower shades in summer to insulate the space and help reduce cooling costs

•        Raise shades in winter to let sun in during the day and lower them at night to trap the day’s heat, and reduce heating costs

•        Insulate your home effectively with the heat-trapping air pockets of insulating honeycomb shades, which enhance energy efficiency

Types of Motorized Shades Solutions:

·         Curtain/ Drapery Track System

·         Roller Shades/ Blinds

·         Roman Shades

·         Venetian Blinds

·         Kirbe Vertical Drapery Systems

·         Skylight Shades

To know more visit our website >>

Experience Center

Since the beginning of time, mankind has evolved towards a better living and lifestyle. It is the curiosity to know more and the aspiration for a shift in standards of living, that integrates humans with a world of technology and development. With this thought, as India's leading automation provider at ATPL, we’ve rebuilt the space of 2,200 sq meters into a state-of-the-art, elegantly designed ‘experience center’. This experience center is divided into sections of ‘lobby’, ‘dining area’, ‘home theatre’, ‘show wall’ and ‘office area’. Each of these areas, deliver a promise of 'Luxury with Technology' like never before. Simply giving new dimensions to light, sound, space and visuals, we’ve created a utopia for the prospective homeowner who desires to experience what a modern day “Smart” home would look like.  

The whole theme is based upon the motto- “Technology -at the back end and Convenience, Comfort and Ambience -at the front end “. For example, the lobby/living room has a 5.1 audio system with a customized sound bar for the TV and an inbuilt subwoofer. But all of this is normally hidden and only become visible once a AV experience is desired.  In addition to that, a high - end Omni directional speaker is hung from a stand for best sound experiences, but at the same time conveys the impression of an exquisite art piece being displayed. The intent is to give the user complete control over their style and choices, but at the same time to make sure that the use of technology is simple!

Throughout the space, it is ensured that the customer has a wide range of options to choose from our audio/video configurations, lightingsystem controls, interiors with maximum space management.

One can watch a movie, hear a sound and then move on with life. But to us, such an approach to survival is too mundane. For all those who have always wanted to live the movie they watch and feel every chord of the music they listen to, this experience center is a dream come true. And that’s why we know, a eleven speaker plus two subwoofer systems along with a mounted projector of 4K resolution in the ‘home theatre’ section, are going  to be appreciated by cinema lovers. Several other innovative features await people who’ve a great sense of style and a desire to live life king size.

This state of the art experience center is a sheer example of what Luxury should look like, and how we can offer lifestyle choices to customers that enrich their lives, add convenience and comfort and we do so in a manner that is simple to understand and easy to use. If we have the means, why not give ourselves the pure pleasure of good living at the end of a hard working day? We believe, that every customer of ours deserve the best of everything, and shouldn’t settle for anything less than comfort with style. Our experience center is a promise of just that.