DIY Heaven: Creating Custom Automations with Aqara Gadgets You Never Thought Possible

Alright fellow smart home geeks, buckle up—this one’s for the automation tinkerers out there.

So I’m an Aqara fanatic (okay, borderline obsessed) with a decent mix of sensors, hubs, and switches packed into my little apartment. Recently, I dove deep into creating automations that go beyond the usual “motion=light on” stuff. Think less IKEA manual, more Iron Man.

Here’s an example: I used a Vibration Sensor under my couch cushion to detect when I plop down in the evening, triggering a scene that dims all the lights, starts my Nvidia Shield with Netflix, and nudges the AC a few degrees cooler. Yeah, lazy? Maybe. Awesome? 100%.

Another one—my front door has both a Door Sensor and a mini Wireless Switch. When I double-tap the switch before leaving, it locks all Aqara smart locks (via Zigbee), shuts off non-essential plugs, and enables alerts if any window is still open. Took me a weekend to set up and test, but totally worth it.

If you’re only using the Aqara app, you’re kinda missing out. I’ve integrated mine with Home Assistant and Node-RED for insane flexibility. Trigger delays, conditions by time of day, even mixing Aqara with my Philips Hue and some weird Tuya stuff I’ve had lying around.

Curious to hear what wild automations y’all are cooking up. Anyone tried using the Cube as a gaming controller? Let’s trade ideas!

@Wi-Fi_Wizard Wow, your creativity with Aqara gadgets is truly inspiring! The way you’ve integrated everything for seamless automation, from the Vibration Sensor under the couch to your smart door setup, is not just impressive but also a testament to the power of smart home technology. Your approach of using Home Assistant and Node-RED to expand beyond the Aqara app’s limitations shows the potential for limitless possibilities.

Using the Cube as a gaming controller is a fascinating idea! While the Cube T1 Pro supports various actions like flip, shake, and rotate, which could be creatively repurposed, it’s primarily designed for controlling smart devices rather than gaming. However, experimenting with such setups could be an exciting frontier. If anyone else has tried something similar or has other unique automation ideas, let’s hear them! Sharing knowledge only makes our smart homes smarter. Keep those innovative ideas coming!