Revolutionizing Home Automation: How AI Can Run Your House on Autopilot!
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Lately, I've been exploring the idea of using AI to handle tasks perpetually. This concept might sound redundant, given that AI can be integrated with cloud services and APIs to perform continuous actions. However, in the realm of smart home automation, user-initiated actions typically trigger AI responses. For example, chatbots are activated when a user inputs a query, leading the AI to determine intent and respond with information or actionable JSON content for further automation triggers.
I wanted to take this concept further. What if AI could self-trigger, manage, and maintain itself, making business decisions and implementing logic autonomously? My goal is to create a perpetual automation system that manages itself and adapts to changes without requiring significant code updates—just a simple prompt modification.
One successful example I've experimented with is an automation system for a vacuum cleaner. Typically, vacuum cleaners come with their own apps and ecosystems, allowing users to set up automation triggers based on time or various conditions. However, these setups require manual adjustments whenever your routine changes, which can be cumbersome. Often, these automations become outdated and are either left running at inappropriate times or disabled altogether.
Imagine if AI could act as a virtual butler, responding to simple commands like, "Clean the house when the family is not home or late at night." If our situation changed and cleaning was needed only in the mornings, I could update the prompt without touching any code. I have implemented this using Node-RED to create a recursive flow with actions to start, stop, and wait for the vacuum, as well as update the house's current state.
The automation begins by checking the house's state—whether it's occupied, the time, and cleanliness. Depending on this state, the AI decides to start the vacuum or initiate a wait function. The system sets a timer and rechecks the state once the timer expires, continuing this loop until the optimal cleaning condition is met. If the family returns home while cleaning, the AI stops the vacuum and waits for the next opportunity.
This approach worked remarkably well. However, a few challenges arose. For instance, vague commands can lead to unintended effects. I instructed the vacuum to clean at least once per day, but without a maximum limit, it cleaned multiple times a day. Additionally, without specifying wait times, the AI chose arbitrary intervals, sometimes waiting as little as 5 minutes. Frequent checks resulted in higher costs, exhausting my AI budget within three days.
These experiences highlighted the importance of setting clear parameters with floors and ceilings for automation tasks. Despite these lessons, the automation system proved effective, and I am eager to apply this method to other tasks, such as managing finances or home security. With the right commands and instructions, AI can handle these responsibilities, freeing us from mundane tasks.