Residing in an older home brings forth not only the challenges of ageing infrastructure, including wiring and cabling, but also a reliance on outdated technology. Acknowledging these limitations, one of my initial undertakings focused on a pivotal upgrade: the replacement of the ageing intercom system.
The existing setup featured a master station or intercom panel adorned with buttons and a speaker, enabling users to effortlessly engage in communication while doubling as the command centre for our home's entrance gates. Carefully positioned substations in various areas boasted speaker-microphone units, fostering seamless two-way communication. The intricate web of wiring and cabling interconnected these components, establishing a unified network that not only facilitated smooth communication but also played a vital role in operating the electrical strike, efficiently unlocking subsequent gates with precision.
The objective was clear: preserve the existing functionality while ushering it into the next era. This meant allowing residents to utilize smartphones and tablets for gate interaction and control. After weeks of research, a two-fold solution emerged. For audio communication and gate control, the implementation of a smart doorbell was considered. At the time, Ring emerged as the leading solution, integrated into the Amazon Alexa ecosystem. The ensuing challenges and insights related to these devices are detailed in “Security Cameras and surveillance : the dos and don’ts” blog.
With audio communication optimized, the focus shifted to gate control. The aim was to enable the opening of gates via smart devices or a keypad. Given the nature of controlling an electric strike, various DIY relay-based solutions were explored. Opting for a streamlined and proven approach, the iSmartgate system was chosen. This versatile solution seamlessly integrates with existing garage door openers and gates, transforming them into intelligent, remotely accessible entities. Notably, it harmoniously integrates with a myriad of smart home platforms, ensuring compatibility within a broader connected ecosystem.
While my goal was initially to consolidate all smart home functionalities into a single hub, Home Assistant, the realization dawned that achieving this might be exceedingly challenging, if not labor-intensive. Consequently, for this specific project, driven by the need for bidirectional audio, I opted for Apple HomeKit. This decision proved instrumental in facilitating direct pop-up notifications on my phone whenever the doorbell rang, enabling seamless control across all my smart devices, including my intended use with the Apple Watch. The versatility and integration capabilities of Apple HomeKit aligned perfectly with the bidirectional audio requirements, allowing for a streamlined and responsive smart home experience.
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