Other Technology | July 7, 2023

Summer is one of the periods when the most burglaries occur because we spend more time away from home. It is also one of the major concerns for Spaniards when leaving their homes, along with squatting and home fires. That’s why more and more people are installing security cameras, alarms, and other devices to protect their houses.

In addition to protecting our mobile devices when we’re away from home, it’s a good idea to safeguard our house even when we’re not inside. To achieve this, we can install alarms and security cameras, but we can also simulate human presence using other remotely controlled devices.

And here’s the key: being able to make it appear as if we haven’t left the house by using programmed and randomized lights and sounds that we can configure to make it difficult to determine if there are people in our homes. For this, we will make use of an application, Google Home, and various devices.

Different Devices

Lights and plugs: These are the most affordable devices that can be purchased to create routines when we’re traveling. Bulbs can be placed in any compatible lamp, allowing them to be turned on and off and, in some cases, even change color. Plugs can also be used to activate other devices, but in this case, it’s better to use them only with lights since turning on the toaster or coffee maker, for example, is not useful when you’re away.

Television: Another device that greatly helps create the illusion that there are people at home is the television. We can turn it on and off whenever we want, adjust the volume, and even change the channel. If a television without smart on/off options is used, devices like the Broadlink RM can be used to control it remotely from a mobile phone.

Vacuum cleaner: Cleaning the house while you’re away is another action that projects the idea that someone is at home. Additionally, these devices generate a distinct noise. Plus, the house will be clean when you return. However, it’s important not to forget to pick up things from the floor to prevent tripping or entangling with the cables.

Blinds: This is possibly the best option we have to simulate presence, but not many people have motorized blinds. By automating them, we can make them go up and down as if we were at home, giving the impression that the house is not empty.

Music: Finally, if we have smart speakers from Amazon or Google, we can play music, not only changing the genre but also adjusting the volume. We can even make a call using Google Meet or Alexa’s Drop In, so our own voice is heard at home.

How to Create a Routine

To control these devices, you need to have them configured with their respective applications. However, to create routines, it’s best to use Google Home. This app, which comes pre-installed on all Android phones, allows you to activate and deactivate devices at specific times by following these steps:

• Open Google Home.
• Tap on the “Automations” option at the bottom.
• Tap on the “+” icon.
• Select the type of routine.
• Select “Add a trigger.”
• Tap on “At a specific time.”
• Choose the time and days when the action will be executed.
• Tap on “Add a trigger.”
• Select “Add an action.”
• Tap on “Turn on” or “Turn off.”

If you have the Alexa app, the process is similar:

• Open the Alexa app.
• Tap on the “More” option at the bottom.
• Select “Routines.”
• Tap on the “+” icon in the upper-right corner.
• Give it a name.
• Tap on “When.”
• Select “Schedule.”
• Set the desired schedule and repetition.
• Tap on “Add action.”
• Select “Smart Home.”
• Tap on the corresponding section.
• Choose the desired device.
• Tap on “Next.”
• Specify whether you want it to turn on or off.
• Tap on “Next.”
• Save the routine.

Keep in mind that if, for example, you set a lamp to turn on at a certain time, you should configure another action to turn it off at another time. It’s a good idea not to do this every day but alternately, with different hours, so that a pattern is not noticeable.

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