Voice control has been the holy grail of home automation for the better part of two decades. Ever since the public internet became a thing, tech bros have been dreaming of the day when every electronic device in a typical home – from your TV to your microwave to your electronically controlled window blinds – can be manipulated with voice commands. We are getting closer to that day with every new technological advancement.
Even though voice control still has a long way to go, it has already transformed home security and automation. It is reasonable to expect it will continue doing so for the foreseeable future. Natural language processing (NLP) is getting better all the time. And with AI now part of the picture, there is no telling what we will be able to do with our voices a decade from now.
Transformations We Have Already Seen
The significant difference with voice control is how a home automation and security system is managed. Historically, management comprised navigating a fragmented landscape of proprietary apps and devices. We have maintained control with our fingers – tapping screens and pushing buttons to get our devices to do what we want them to do.
Manual device management is doable, but it also brings plenty of friction. Voice control eliminates that friction by also eliminating having to do things with our hands. There are no phones to turn on, no screens to tap, and no swiping gestures.
Here are three examples of how voice control has already transformed home security and automation:
- Multi-Device Routines – Instead of relying on separate device apps to complete multiple tasks, those tasks can all be lumped together into a multi-device routine that is activated by a single voice command. For example, saying something as simple as “goodnight Google” can turn off every light in the house and lock the front door.
- Contextual Awareness – Modern smart speaker systems tend to come with location-specific processing. Once home automation zones are set up properly, a smart speaker can respond to a phrase like “turn on the lights in the bedroom” by doing exactly what you have said. You don’t have to specify devices. The system instantly recognizes the bedroom and its lights.
- Hands-free Responses – In the security realm, voice control allows for hands-free responses. Let’s say your video doorbell alerts you to someone approaching your home. With voice control, there is no need to reach for your phone or rush to your smart home hub. You can immediately begin communicating with the person on the other side of the door.
Most of the major home security and automation providers support popular smart speaker ecosystems. For example, Vivint Home Security systems can be paired with Google Home and Nest smart speakers. Likewise, my open-source platform supports both Google and Amazon smart speakers, along with a smart speaker built by the platform’s developers.
Transformations We Can Expect
Voice control has already transformed home security and automation. What can we expect in the future? At the top of the list are conversational and generative AI. As smart speakers get better, they will be more adept at intuitive phrasing and multi-intent processing.
Expect fewer screens and a greater emphasis on mobile AI companions that will help us interact with our devices conversationally. Once voice control reaches maturity, there will not be any need for mobile apps and home automation touchscreens.
I began building my own home automation and security system years ago. I know what a difference voice control makes. Now that I have it deployed, I would never go back to life without it. Voice control is that transformational.