10 April 2019

Home automation

Amazon’s Echo devices with Alexa voice control are designed to be linked to online services and other devices, enabling home automation. Voice control of devices can help to make them accessible to people with memory, dexterity or mobility issues. Voice control can be helpful where new devices are so unfamiliar to someone that they are too difficult to operate. For example it may be easier for someone to say “Alexa, play Radio 4” than to operate a modern DAB radio.

By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to help our website run effectively.

The Echo devices use “Skills” which, like smartphone Apps, add particular functionality. These skills can be bought and installed to give access to online services like audiobooks, music and shopping. Others provide games, entertainment and much more. New skills are being developed all the time. Care needs to be taken when selecting Skills and users may need help to get used to using them.

The number of ‘Alexa compatible’ devices is increasing, enabling more and more voice control of equipment and services. The world of home automation is complex with many competing systems, which may or may not be compatible, or suitable. It is worth putting some effort into research before committing too heavily! It is sometimes possible to add voice control to existing devices although this can be more expensive.

We recommend keeping things simple to start with and adding things slowly as confidence grows. If you’d like help with any aspect of home automation, with or without

Alexa & Echo compatibility, do get in touch. (See footer below for contact options)