Suggestions for Improving My Home Automation Configuration for More Control and Compatibility?

Hemautomatisering
1

Hello Everyone :hugs:,

As part of my ongoing home automation project, I have a combination of Google Nest, IKEA, Philips Hue, and some older smart switches. My biggest problem at the moment is that, although everything functions, the system feels fragmented and lacks the seamless integration I had hoped for. I want to make my setup more unified so that I can manage everything with a single voice assistant or app, free from delays or restrictions on which devices can communicate with one another.

My main objectives are:

1. Unified operate: Rather than switching between apps, I would prefer to be able to operate any device with a single app or voice assistant.
2. Inter-Device Communication: In order to build increasingly intricate routines and automations, it would be fantastic if various devices could "talk" to one another.
3. Future-Proofing: With Matter on the horizon, I want to make investments in systems and products that will continue to work with newer gadgets and protocols.

A dedicated smart home hub, moving to a single manufacturer (if possible), or updating certain devices that might be creating bottlenecks are some of the solutions I'm thinking about. However, I'm not sure what would have the biggest effect without going over budget.

https://bubblan.teknikveckan.se/t/appen-philips-hue-slutar-fungera-pa-aldre-android-mobiler/gcp

Is there anyone here with experience combining multiple brands and systems into a single, cohesive smart home environment? Do you have any suggestions for hubs, protocols, or devices that work well with my setup?

Thanks in advance for your help and support.

2

I can recommend Homey Pro. Using it myself. You can have everything connected there and have only one solution for automations etc.

You can also host/do everything yourself with Home Assistant.

3

Home assistant is the only correct answer. :sunglasses:

4

:point_up_2: what he said

And what he said :point_down:

1 gillning
5

Homey Pro, simple and powerful.

6

I also would recommend Homey Pro.
Never tried Home Assistant but HP is less effort. I have like 25 devices connected - everything from lights, motion sensors, radiator valves automating everything with no need for complicated programming.

Not saying I don’t have problems with HP though;

  • Looses WiFi connection due to faulty (included) power cable - needs replacement, and FW upgrade, ideally LAN cable
  • Not all device apps are native - if you have Tuya/SmartLife devices, expect some glitches - use Zigbee/Z-wave over cheap WiFi devices from China
  • No speaker, but you can ask Google device to talk to you (but no dialogs)
  • Can’t cast specific music/videos to Google Device since Google ecosystem API is limited
  • You can trigger HP flows from Google device (if assistant feels like listening to me)

Coolest (but meaningless)

  • I can integrate with ChatGPT to read out weather report based on SMHI weather report on my Google Speaker, based on motion sensor trigger and time, and you can ask Chat GPT to read it pretending to be an 18th century buttler or whatever style. I can not control type of voice due to Google app limitations (required ChatGPT dev account)