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Using Homey in a large home

BgrollemanBgrolleman Member
in Archive
I have large home and already need three wifi routes to provide internet access everywhere. Are there already thoughts on how homey will handle these situations?
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Comments

  • EmileEmile Administrator, Athom
    Homey's will work together in a mesh network, so only one needs to have Wi-Fi access.

    We're investigating the possibility to make Homey a Wi-Fi repeater as well, so other devices can connect to it as well!
  • MilanVanDenMuyzenbergMilanVanDenMuyzenberg Member
    I guess what Bgrolleman means is that if he wants to control hardware throughout the house, this may not work with a single Homey (e.g. 433MHz, Zigbee, ...) Or am I mistaken?
  • RowanWeiffenbachRowanWeiffenbach Member
    Depends on what you're using; 433MHz, like KlikAanKlikUit, has a limited range. It's transmitter to receiver and likely to be distorted by objects at long range - without using a repeater.

    Z-Wave (or ZigBee) protocol works in a mesh network, meaning every Z-Wave product acts as a repeater when connected to AC-power. So range shouldn't be an issue in a large home using either Z-Wave or ZigBee.
  • DanielMartinezGuaitaDanielMartinezGuaita Member
    But what happens when you're too far away from Homey and it doesn´t hear your commands?
    Maybe some microphone/speaker repeaters would be helpful?
  • PeterFaganPeterFagan Member
    I think a wifi microphone would be the easiest way to communicate in any room
  • RowanWeiffenbachRowanWeiffenbach Member
    Why not enable speech in the Homey app?
  • RobinVanKekemRobinVanKekem Member
    Check one of the video's, they are planning on incorporating of voice usage via a mobile, via the app.
  • JamesAndrewStokellJamesAndrewStokell Member
    Rowan - I'd rather communicate with Homey directly - digging my phone out would be a bit of a pain, but I'd certainly like to see that in addition to a hardware solution (I'm contemplating using either commbadge.net or mini audio (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/437142641/mini-audio-mitm-bluetooth-speaker-portable-sound-r?ref=nav_search)).

    My issue is knowing whether the homey could support two voice commands from two microphones simultaneously.
  • RowanWeiffenbachRowanWeiffenbach Member
    edited July 2014
    I get that. A nice hardware solution might be something like a 'Homey extender', not another Homey. Could be a simple device with only a microphone, which only 'transfers' the speech-command via WiFi to the Homey and marketed cheaper. Just brainfarting here :-)
  • RobertHekkersRobertHekkers Member
    The need for using a phone while at home is a bit strange imho..
    So, this 'extender' (or the receiving homey, or location-dedicated homey) should be aware of the location inside the house; cause if the location (living, bathroom, garage) where a voice command like 'light on' is spoken could (should!) switch on the right light bulb - no need to speak 'turn on the light in the garage' - just 'turn on the light' should suffice, right? Just sharing my thoughts about how I think it should work ;-)
  • EmileEmile Administrator, Athom
    We're looking into extenders, just don't expect them anytime soon, as they can be easily replaced by the Homey app, or bluetooth microphone + speaker. Creating an additional product is very costly, and we'd like to spend our funds on making Homey itself more awesome first :)
  • MarkVanDerHeijdenMarkVanDerHeijden Member
    So Homey will support extending it using Bluetooth speaker+mic? Any tips on affordable devices? I would love to put one in the bedroom so I can turn the tv and lights off by talking to Homey :) and of course wake up with Homey and turn off the alarm by saying good morning! And Homey will greet me with some easy listening music. Ahh really can't wait for it :)
  • PeterFaganPeterFagan Member
    I like that idea
  • MarkSwiftMarkSwift Member
    Using a bluetooth microphone and speaker to extend the range would be ideal, can you confirm that Emile? Further, I also expect that I can use my Sonos system for any output? Hence, I'm hoping I might only need a microphone in some rooms ;-)
  • EmileEmile Administrator, Athom
    Yep! And yep for Sonos!
  • JeroenKleijnJeroenKleijn Member
    Is it also possible to control which sonos zone the audio feedback is send to? So when i make my own addon i can talk to homey from the kitchen and the responds will be send to Sonos zone "kitchen". Or is the responds send to every speaker in the house?
  • EmileEmile Administrator, Athom
    Yes, you can control where it goes!
  • MarkVanWindenMarkVanWinden Member
    433MHz repeaters are already on the market. Easy to install and greatly improve the range of Homey.

    e.g. http://www.klikaanklikuit.nl/shop/nl/signaalversterker-aex-701
  • TheoDeKoningTheoDeKoning Member
    @Mark

    Keep in mind that there can only 6 senders be repeated by that AEX-701 from KaKu.
  • RogierVanDerKaadenRogierVanDerKaaden Member
    I think something like a minisphere is an absolute must have. Clearly the design of Homey has been to avoid limitations where possible given the number of different protocols it supports. Though a single Homey will reach its limitations soon in multi-room usage. A sleek designed minisphere would overcome this limitation and the average user would probably buy 3 or 4 to maximize the usage of their Homey. You will not only strengthen your product set this way but also generate an additional revenue stream with huge potential.
  • RogierVanDerKaadenRogierVanDerKaaden Member
    I think something like a minisphere is an absolute must have. Clearly the design of Homey has been to avoid limitations where possible given the number of different protocols it supports. Though a single Homey will reach its limitations soon in multi-room usage. A sleek designed minisphere would overcome this limitation and the average user would probably buy 3 or 4 to maximize the usage of their Homey. You will not only strengthen your product set this way but also generate an additional revenue stream with huge potential.
  • EmileEmile Administrator, Athom
    @Rogier, a mini sphere with these kind of functionalities will not be that much cheaper to make. A simple repeater for one single frequency (e.g. 433MHz, as ZigBee, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave etc. already work in a mesh network) would be possible, but 433MHz specifically has been designed for in-home use, and has a large range by itself.

    The first add-on we're looking at is an Infrared repeater. Just don't forget it reaaally expensive to make a new product :-)
  • LouisLouis Member
    I am now using iTach as an Infrared repeater. Can Homey work with iTach?

    http://www.globalcache.com/products/itach/
  • MariusBrandMariusBrand Member
    Should Homey always be in eye contact for IR to be effective or is the signal expected to be strong enough to reach the receivers also under more difficult circumstances? Would equipment like iTach be necessary?
  • EmileEmile Administrator, Athom
    There are 6 IR leds in Homey, so it emits to all directions. It depends on your home, but at least a line of sight (with one or two bounces) is necessary. We're looking into supporting IR repeaters.
  • MariusBrandMariusBrand Member
    Clear Emile, thanks for the quick answer!
  • ConfuzerConfuzer
    Actually you want the always listening chips in all the extender devices so that might (yet) cost alot.

    But an extender is the next go-to thing which should be developed. And even in variations like just a microphone or combined with a speaker/infrared repeater/etc. Chances are high amazon is developing this already for Alexa, so you might use those :D

    I don't want to walk into the livingroom to give voice commands, it needs to be around me constantly in the house (smartwatch! :P) and also be aware which sensor picks up the command to get the location (which is ofc an easy thing to implement). So for now the Homey concept is very very cool, but has a limited use.
  • EmileEmile Administrator, Athom
    If you really want it everywhere, and affordable, I think a smartwatch is a better option for the time being :)
  • JonJon Member
    I know, I know, the topic has been here longer. But (@Emile) does anyone know of a reliable IR-repeater that will work with homey to extend Homey's IR-signal to a 'remote spot' in the house/room?
    (Preferrably with links to webshops ;) )
  • EmileEmile Administrator, Athom
    The first accessory we want to create is an ir extender!
This discussion has been closed.