I’ve been diving into the world of home automation lately, and I’m really excited about the potential of combining NFC tags with Tasker and Vera to create a seamless system for managing my home security and occupancy. Here’s what I’ve been thinking about and the initial steps I’ve taken!
The Vision
The idea is to use NFC tags placed at each doorway in my home. When I (or anyone else) enters or exits, scanning the tag would trigger a series of actions in Vera. This would allow Vera to track who is home and adjust security and occupancy modes accordingly. For example, when I leave home, Vera could automatically enable security mode, arm the alarms, and turn off unnecessary lights. When I return, it would disarm the system and adjust the lighting based on the time of day.
The Setup
I’ve started by setting up Tasker with the Vera plugin to read the NFC tags. Each tag is assigned a unique URL, which helps Vera identify the specific doorway. Here’s a rough outline of how the workflow is shaping up:
- NFC Tag Trigger: Scanning an NFC tag at a doorway initiates the process.
- Tasker Checks Status: Tasker communicates with Vera to check if the user is currently marked as ‘Home’ or ‘Away’.
- PLEG Logic: If the user is leaving home, Vera updates their status to ‘Away’ and triggers the ‘Leaving Home’ scene, which might include arming the security system and adjusting thermostats.
- Occupancy Tracking: Vera uses virtual devices to track if the home is occupied. If all users are marked as ‘Away’, Vera knows the house is empty and can adjust settings accordingly.
- Returning Home: When the NFC tag is scanned again, Vera updates the user’s status to ‘Home’ and triggers the ‘Returning Home’ scene, which might include disarming the system and turning on lights.
Initial Thoughts and Challenges
- Tag Placement: Deciding where to place the NFC tags has been a bit tricky. I want them to be convenient but not too intrusive.
- Scene Customization: Customizing the scenes in Vera to handle different entry/exit points and their corresponding actions is a work in progress.
- Virtual Devices: Setting up virtual devices to track occupancy and user statuses has been a bit confusing, but I’m starting to get the hang of it.
Success So Far
I’ve managed to get the basic workflow up and running for my front door and laundry room. When I leave through the front door, Vera automatically arms the security system and lowers the thermostat. When I return, it disarms the system and adjusts the lighting based on the time of day. It’s pretty satisfying to see everything work together seamlessly!
Looking for Feedback
I’d love to hear from others who have tried something similar or have tips on improving this setup. Questions I have include:
- How do you handle multiple users with different NFC tags?
- What are the best practices for setting up virtual devices in Vera?
- Have you encountered any issues with PLEG or Tasker integration?
If you’ve worked on a similar project or have insights to share, I’d be thrilled to hear from you! Let’s collaborate to make home automation even smarter and more user-friendly. 