Getting Organized

It is getting closer and closer for me to begin thinking of initial Alpha testing for my Home Automation project.  However due to some scatterbrained thinking, I am second guessing myself and feel I need to organize more carefully so nothing is left to chance.

In order to do that I feel that I need to make a checklist of sorts in order to later help me organize everything just right.  This also substitutes as both a reminder and also a to-do list.

1.) Overall Project:

• Intertwine household electronics with SmartThings via sensors and Z-Wave technology
• Code Denise to interact with those electronic devices
• Code Denise to control Nest Smart Thermometer so temperature is remotely changeable
• Setup household intercom/microphone system to speak to Denise with voice commands
• Code Denise to perform those voice commands
• Setup security system (including cameras and motion)
• Code security system to Denise and enable mobile remote viewing into home through video
• Setup mobile phone integration to have Denise screen calls or send text messages
• Setup projection and Kinect system to display Denise onto the wall
• Acquire smart door locks
• Install/Setup/Code Denise to work with smart locks

Looking at this list it in no way justifies the massive amount of time and energy that I am going to have to commit to make this a reality.  The list seems short, but I know just how much work it is going to be for me.  I think the main thing will be coding Denise to do all these things will take the most time, especially if I am creating that code from scratch.  The codes and commands need to be individually tested and that will also take time.  Eventually I want to replace every outlet in my home to a Z-Wave input/output, that way literally anything plugged in can be controlled by Denise.  I will have this project already started by the time that happens.  I plan on buying some gradually to where eventually all plugs will be Z-Wave technology.  Now THAT would be awesome.

I got a lot of work ahead of me.

My Home’s Brain Will Arrive In Early January

Several weeks ago I had reached out to the company who makes SmartThings and asked them to send me a unit for product review.  They agreed and said that it would arrive mid-November.  Leading up to mid-November I received an email saying that media review units were delayed and that they would not be able to send me a unit until January.  I was a little disappointed, especially since a vast amount of things involving some of my projects regarding Denise required this piece of technology.  After all, this was going to be the brains of my property and everything was going to be tied into it. 

This morning I awoke to an email from the company reassuring me that I was going to get one.  In addition, I was also told about a new mobile device app that made it even easier to control the devices in the home.  I could not be any more excited. 

First thing I am going to do aside from continue working with my home security and home automation, is get SmartThings to work alongside my smart Nest thermostat.

This this going to be awesome!

It’s Here!

This morning I awoke to find a present at my doorstep.  It appears as if my Nest Smart Thermostat has finally arrived. This is the first piece of equipment that I have received for my upcoming home automation project.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is a smart device that connects to your homes existing Wi-Fi.  It learns the patterns of how cold or warm you want your home to be and will adjust itself accordingly.  In the long-term, it claims to save cost on your electric bill.  This should come in handy especially with winter approaching.

Just as I predicted in my last post, this has renewed my resolve when it comes to my artificial intelligent projects.  I am excited, and ready to continue working towards accomplishing them.  I really do not know what had come over me yesterday.  I am fully aware of what I felt and what I wrote in the previous blog post.  This morning, I feel none of what I had felt yesterday and chalk it up to a momentary lapse in self confidence.