Do you want to turn on the lights when you get home? Maybe you could hook up a timer system to your lights. This would be quick and simple, but it won't teach you anything. It's also a pretty inflexible solution, turning on the lights at the same time every night, no matter what.
Perhaps a different solution can be found.?
Previously, we gave you a demo of the littleBits Smart Home Kit. LittleBits Smart Home Kit Review Kit and Giveaway. Read More However, this kit does more than just look pretty. It's a fully functional smart home solution. We can use the LittleBits smart home kit with a remotely activated light switch with ease.
To create a remote light switch, you'll need the littleBits Smart Home Kit. From here, grab the CloudBit, the power connector, and the IR transmitter.
You will also need the littleBits AC adapter, which your lamp will connect to. This one has an IR receiver, which means we can activate it remotely using the IR transmitter module.
Infrared is a key element of smart home projects, often used to remotely activate devices when conditions are met, such as the time of day, or perhaps when a particular temperature or humidity is reached. By using it to turn a lamp on and off, we can potentially save money and even energy, like with these smart home devices Save energy and money with these smart home devices Save energy and money with these smart home devices One of the The biggest benefits of a smart home are the energy-saving technologies available. In addition to saving money, you'll also be pushing toward a more sustainable and convenient living situation. Read more.
We will remotely activate the AC adapter using the cloudBit web console, which you can access from anywhere. Before we get to that, let's see how to configure the modules with the IR receiver.
Get started with the littleBits modules, connecting them and mounting them on a breadboard. You should also have connected the cloudBit module to your wireless network, following the instructions at www.littlebits.cc/cloudstart. If you have any problem here, restart the process; persistent issues should be raised with the super efficient LittleBits support team.
Next, connect your AC adapter to the mains and plug in your lamp. You will need to place the IR receiver on the adapter within line of sight of the IR transmitter on the breadboard. However, for testing purposes you should be able to manage simply by moving the receiver into position when the command is sent.
You should now have something that looks like this:
(Note that I'm using UK sockets here, even though the littleBits adapter is the US standard.)
For this project to work, you'll need the IR transmitter to send signals to the AC adapter's IR receiver. If you haven't synced them yet, watch the video below (you'll need the button module attached to sync).
With the two devices in communication, you are ready to proceed. If you have any problem here, just unplug the IR module and AD adapter, reconnect it to the network and try again.
When we originally tested this project, the idea was to use the Internet to send an SMS message from your favorite application. Text Better With These Alternative SMS Apps For Android Text Better With These Alternative SMS Apps For Android Don't like your default SMS app? Try a new one! Read More Unfortunately, this was inappropriate as the Android SMS channel only works with SMS events.
That is, you cannot send an SMS message to your cloudBit and wait for a result; instead, received SMS messages trigger a reply. However, this is just a shortcoming of this particular project; many other automation recipes IFTTT Tasker and IFTTT - The Perfect Automation Duo for Android Tasker and IFTTT - The Perfect Automation Duo for Android Tasker automates anything you can think of on your Android device and IFTTT automates web services. Used together, there's nothing you can't do. Read More are available for cloudBit users.
However, after a quick search on the Google Play store, I found the Remote Control for cloudBit app which needs to be filled in with the cloudBit Device ID and CloudBit API Token Settings page. With these additions, all you need to do is tap Send Button to activate the infrared transmitter. Alternatively, you can simply visit the control.littlebitscloud.cc/ page in your mobile browser.
Your light should now be on.!
You don't have to make a smart lamp. Other devices can be connected instead. For example, you might want to plug in a coffee maker so you have a freshly brewed blend ready when you get home.
Alternatively, for TV events, How to Successfully Host a TV Party How to Successfully Host a TV Party If you have friends over to watch a TV event, you need to make sure you get the basics right. Make that happen with our guide to hosting a successful TV viewing party. Read More saving you valuable viewing time.
If you own a LittleBits Smart Starter Kit, this is just one example of many possible projects. Let me know if you have any questions and leave your feedback in the comment box below.
