Raspberry Pi user shows home-automation feats using iPhone

(Phys.org)—The latest hacker enthusiast who is out to demonstrate Raspberry Pi's potential has a system that pairs SiriProxy with Raspberry Pi to perform numerous home automation feats, just by speaking commands into the iPhone. "Elvis Impersonator" has shown in a YouTube video how he can change Siri from a glamorous job as Concierge to a role as domestic helper. With the Pi running SiriProxy, his commands via iPhone result in his desired reactions based on his predefined instructions. "Elvis Impersonator" can order garage doors to open and close; he can adjust a thermostat, and can change channels on his TV, among other feats.

For those with the skills and time to spare, the good news is in how he did it. "All my SiriProxy plugins are on my GitHub page and are all open source, non-commercial use. In an effort to help further interest and development of SiriProxy based applications, I created a RPi SD card image with SiriProxy pre-installed to make it that much easier for people to get started."

His system components include:1. Elk M1 Gold security panel; 2. ISY99i Series X10/Insteon lighting controller; 3. Trendnet IP cameras; 4. Nest Thermostat; 5. RedEye IP2IR controllers; 6. SiriProxy running on a RPi; 7. iOS mobile apps MobiLinc HD; and eKeypad Pro for iPhone/iPad touch control (not in video).

"Elvis Impersonator" said he started exploring what can be done in home automation and control in 2008, visiting the pursuit "as time and disposable income permitted." He said he worked with iOS app developers during this time, beta testing and suggesting capabilities for their apps. He had been following the development of SiriProxy since its initial appearance in late 2011. (A developer in 2011 created a proxy server third-party proxy server, designed specifically for Siri. The developer used a plug-in to control a WiFi thermostat with voice commands. Last year, DarkTherapy in a Raspberry Pi forum, said he had a project involving SiriProxy running on the Raspberry Pi along with wiringPi to access the Pi's GPIO pins and turn a relay on/off. The relay was hooked up to his garage door system. That gave him control of the door with Siri on his iPhone.)

"Elvis Impersonator" got SiriProxy installed and working on a Marvell SheevaPlug ARM based plug computer. After acquiring a Raspberry Pi, he ported SiriProxy and plugins and then set out to make the video.

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