A couple months ago I posted about some of the initial automations I was able to enable through AI task and shipping off a still image to a LLM (Gemini) for analysis. Propane tank level reading (https://youtu.be/-bLVTHzfHyk), and front porch package detection and counting (https://youtu.be/HZl2VGEYA14). I’ve finished a couple more since then, and now Gemini is looking to see if I put my bins out the night before trash collection and gently reminding me if I haven’t (https://youtu.be/ASw6-Xzgiq8) as well as telling me about vehicles that come into our driveway while we’re not at home, including make / model / license plate / and any business or government markings (https://youtu.be/3Mo6OYpKhy4). That one is probably my favorite, because it just works so well overall! License plate reading isn’t always perfect, but when it’s able to tell me while I’m out shopping that a Ford Maverick truck with California plates and the name of one of the local “Miss Utility” type companies just pulled in the driveway, I know I’m all set for the weekend landscaping project.
I’ve got another couple ideas in mind that I’ll probably get to towards the end of the year, including one that I’m finalizing right now to watch multiple cats using a litter box and count up how many times each cat - individually - goes in the box. Helpful for households with cats who have occasional urinary issues…