Build a Smart Home Without a Voice Assistant

I have recently started asking myself “do I really need a virtual voice assistant?”

Introduction

Voice assistants like Siri, Google and Alexa are often the first step towards building a smart home. Afterall, it’s “just ask” right? They integrate with a wide variety of devices, provide simple control, and offer unified dashboard that allows you to easily add more devices. However, I have found that as I add more smart devices, I use the voice assistant less. It has led me to wonder if I could ditch the voice assistant altogether.

You may find this article interesting if you do not trust any of the big-tech companies, or if you are worried that using your voice assistant will not remain free indefinitely.

Analysis

I looked at the automations I have in the Alexa app:

1. A custom voice command to trigger a bedtime routine
2. A reminder to take out the trash
3. A sound-detection routine to give the weather report and play music when there is running water (i.e. when in the shower)
4. A trigger to announce the time when an alarm is silenced
5. A time-based trigger to turn a light on and off
6. A time-based trigger to change the volume of my echo device

I also use my voice for

1. Controlling lights
2. Playing Music
3. Setting Timers
4. Creating and Dismissing Alarms

Let’s take a look at each of these more in-depth.

Custom Voice Commands

The idea behind a custom voice command is to have a trigger for a series of automations. In my case, that means turning off all of the lights, locking the doors, arming the security system, etc. all without having to leave my bed when I’m ready to go to sleep. The underlying concepts here are convenience and automation, neither of which necessarily require voice.

Reminders & Announcements

Obviously, these can easily be replaced with mobile push notifications, but I would consider that to be a step down. Hubitat can send speech notifications if you have a compatible speaker. In my case though, I have some speakers connected to Home Assistant which could easily replace my Echo devices.

Sound Detection

I have found no replacement for the ability to listen to a specific sound and run an automation. However, the requirement is ultimately to trigger an automation based on an event. I may be able to use a different series of events based on motion and time-of-day.

Time-based Triggers

The only reason I have these automations is because the wi-fi outlets are only compatible with Alexa. Since any smart home hub should have time-based triggers, all I need to do is swap out the outlets to one compatible with my Hubitat.

Device Control

Controlling lights and other devices by voice is convenient, but since I have added motion sensors, I rarely use this capability. I do have a smart outlet on my garbage disposal because the physical switch is far away and hard to reach, so I would need to find a solution for just that one.

Music, Timers, and Alarms

It is hard to deny the convenience of voice control in these areas. Admittedly I can think of no suitable alternatives.

If your interest is simply getting away from the big-tech companies, then Home Assistant does have a fully local voice assistant, which I have been able to get working. It is able to set timers and can control music when integrated with Music Assistant, but it can be difficult to set up. It also does not have Alarms yet. Sadly, it is not as reliable as the voice assistants from the big tech companies either, so I can’t recommend it as a solution that my family would be willing to adopt.

My Proposed Solution

The custom voice commands I believe could be replaced with Zigbee buttons. I will give the Zigbee Sonoff Wireless Push Button a try. I may also be able to use one of these buttons for the Disposal.

• Quick tip: If you want to try automating your disposal, have it run for just a few seconds at a time then automatically turn off).

A button could probably be used to trigger my morning routine too, instead of sound detection, but I am looking for a more hands-off approach. I think there is potential for a vibration or sound sensor if I can find one. For now, I will attempt to create an automation based on time-of day and motions detection. My favorite device for motion detection is this Linptech Zigbee Presence Sensor.

I will use Hubitat Elevation to connect all of the devices and create the necessary automations. I find it easier to create advanced automations in Hubitat vs Home Assistant.

I don’t have any Hubitat compatible speakers, so I would need to leverage Home Assistant for reminders and announcements. I would like to mention that if you have Echo speakers and just want to mute them, you could still push announcements via an integration such as Echo Speaks.

I would have to forgo music, alarms, and timers for the time being, which is what ultimately makes this plan a bust. I could set up equivalents using an app, but it loses the convenience of voice. I will continue to work on a Home Assistant replacements though.

Conclusion

Sensors and buttons can largely replace the need for a voice assistant, without sacrificing any of the convenience. However, if you rely on your voice for setting alarms, playing music, and getting the news and weather you will probably want to keep your voice assistant for now.

While I cannot do a full replacement yet, I do not consider this exercise a complete waste of time because I can clearly reduce my dependence on a voice assistant, and even make some automation improvements.