I recently embarked on an exciting project to eliminate the need for physical remote controls in my home entertainment setup. The goal was to control all devices solely through voice commands using Alexa, OpenHAB, and the Harmony Hub binding. This journey has been incredibly rewarding, and I wanted to share my experience with the community.
The inspiration for this project came from the frustration of constantly searching for remotes. I envisioned a seamless system where I could control my TV, soundbar, and streaming devices with just my voice. The Harmony Hub proved to be the perfect intermediary, bridging the gap between Alexa and my entertainment devices.
The implementation involved setting up an Alexa skill in AWS, which acts as the central command center. This skill communicates with my OpenHAB server, which in turn sends commands to the Harmony Hub. The result is a system where I can perform complex tasks like watching my latest recording or adjusting TV settings without ever reaching for a remote.
One of the most satisfying aspects of this project has been the ability to create custom routines. For example, saying ‘Alexa, watch my latest recording’ automatically switches my TV and soundbar to the correct inputs and starts playback. This level of integration was previously unimaginable for me.
I encourage anyone interested in this kind of setup to explore the project further. The GitHub repository provides detailed instructions, and the YouTube videos offer a comprehensive walkthrough of the installation and functionality. I hope this project inspires others to push the boundaries of voice control in their smart homes!
Let me know your thoughts or any improvements you’d suggest. Happy automating! 
