Even the government is going digital, and you still haven't made your home smart? Enough tolerating this! The time has come for the fourth industrial revolution, which means every thing on the Internet! Enter the world of Internet of Things (IoT) and Xiaomi smart home with Gearbest.
Making your home smart is easy
To turn your home into a modern fortress, all you need to do is purchase a Xiaomi Smart Home Security kit, consisting of 5 or 6 components.
Each of them has a bridge for combining devices into a single ecosystem, a window or door opening sensor, motion sensor, universal wireless button, socket and two sets of double-sided adhesive mounts tapes.
What is included in the basic Xiaomi Smart Home kit?
The multifunctional gateway can notify about events in the system with sound and light messages, tell the weather and even work as a radio. The built-in light sensor allows the device to independently adjust the backlight, switching to night mode. This turns the gateway into an elegant night light that fits directly into the socket. By the way, the built-in speaker allows the gateway to turn into an online radio and broadcast to the entire apartment.
The door sensor is powered by batteries that last for 2 years of continuous operation thanks to the ZegBee transmission protocol. Two components are attached to different sides of the door or window and tell the gateway its status - open or closed.
The motion sensor operates on the same protocol, playing a passive role as a warning element. The operating radius is almost 180 degrees, which allows you to minimize the number of devices. Unfortunately, without a gateway the sensors do not work.
Smart home control with Xiaomi Smart Home
The system is controlled using a smartphone through the proprietary Smart Home mobile application. There are no options for a PC, although the set is independent of the router. All you need is a smartphone, an application and an educational record in the Mi cloud service, to which all devices are linked.
The application connects system elements, determines their location and configures basic operating scenarios. For example, you can install several motion sensors in different rooms, and set your own scenario for each: when moving in in the hallway at night, turn on the lights if the owner’s smartphone is connected to the Wi-Fi network; when moving in the office, turn on the lights and TV, or computer. And if the smartphone is not online, send an alert to it and transmit a picture from the camera.
There can be an infinite number of scenarios. To avoid confusion in the application, basic scenarios or certain actions can be assigned to a wireless button from a set.
The system allows the use of several, so after detailed configuration you don’t have to touch the smartphone at all.
How to control ordinary electronics using Xiaomi smart home elements
The basic set also includes a “smart socket”. With its help, you can control the power of conventional devices that are not part of the Xiaomi ecosystem - pendant lamps or basic household appliances such as a multimedia center or a multicooker with an installed timer.
You can even control an entire desktop if you use an extender controlled via Wi-Fi or ZegBee.
The outlet is also connected using the application to the general ecosystem and receives its name and location. Afterwards, it can be controlled from anywhere in the world: all you need is the Internet at home and on your smartphone.
Knowledge is power, video cameras are the key to safety
You can expand the capabilities of the basic Xiaomi Smart Home set using one of the company’s video cameras. They can play the role of a security device, speakerphone, baby monitor, and even earn extra money as a videophone.
There are several Xiaomi IP cameras available today with different functionality:
Xiaomi Mijia 1080P - Full HD recording, dual-band Wi-Fi, infrared illuminator, motion-sensing function and recording in the dark - $42
Xiaomi mijia Smart 720P - HD recording, 360-degree panorama recording, built-in motion motor, built-in speaker, infrared illuminator, motion-sensing function and recording in the dark - $37
Xiaomi mijia Smart 1080P - improved version with Full HD recording, the ability to work without the Mi H0me application, improved matrix and 4x zoom
$67.25 (coupon: Panoruip)
Xiaomi xiaofang Smart 1080P - Full HD recording, dual-band Wi-Fi, infrared illumination, motion detection function and recording in the dark, can be installed on ceilings and walls - $21
Thermal comfort
The Xiaomi Smart Home 6-Piece Expanded Set (coupon: ROSTYmijia for $72.99) comes with a temperature and humidity sensor. With its help, the “smart home” will learn to regulate the air balance in the room: for example, it will start turning on the air purifier or air conditioner. You can even set up an Alarm signal that will wake you up if there is a sudden change in balance.
In the next issues we will talk about other smart Xiaomi technology. The next one will be dedicated to adjustable LED lamps - table, bedside and ceiling.