Waking a voice satellite to turn in lights is impressive and all, but not really automation. I’d rather use a presence sensor of some kind.
Voice is more useful when something more complex is happening that requires user input. A truly helpful home assistant voice assistant would allow an interactive conversation. Moreover, it could initiate the conversation:
Use case:
The tv is on, but no one is detected in the room
Assist: “attention! The living room tv is on, but no one is watching. Do you want me to turn it off?”
User: “No”
Assist: “beep”
Home assistant: doesn’t do anything.
It could also ask questions and listen for the answer or any followup questions. But right now, it can’t
Example use case 1:
Timer for “cookies” done, but the cookies aren’t fully baked yet
Assist: “the ‘cookies’ timer is done.
User: “please add another 3 minutes”
Assist: “I’ll remind you in 3 minutes”
Home Assistant: starts a 3 minute “cookies” timer
Example use case 2:
there’s an unexpected person in the garage:
Assist: “attention! there’s someone in the garage. I’ve sent a notification with their picture to you and switched all of the tablet displays to show the live camera feed. How do you want me to respond?”
House guest: “what are my choices?”
Assist: “I can ignore it if this person is allowed, I can warn them to leave, I can turn on the intercom so you speak to them, I can set off the house alarm, I can panic and set off the garage explosives.”
House guest: “panic seems best”
Assist: “beep”
Home assistant: sets of siren, turns on every light, turns on strobe light, calls police, ambulance, and fire department, explodes garage.
Obviously this would be even more useful with an llm connection…