I’ve been exploring how to create a seamless morning routine using my Philips Hue lights and Google Nest Hub. The idea is to have the lights gradually brighten as the sun rises, but only when I’m home. It sounds simple, but getting everything to work together has been a bit of a challenge!
First, I set up the Philips Hue daylight bulbs in my kitchen. They’re perfect for simulating a natural sunrise. I used the Hue app to create a sunrise routine that turns the lights on at my usual wake-up time. But here’s where things got tricky: I wanted the lights to stay off when I’m away and automatically adjust based on sunset times. Unfortunately, SmartThings doesn’t seem to offer a straightforward way to combine location sensing with sunrise/sunset routines.
After some research, I discovered that integrating Google Nest Hub with Philips Hue might be the solution. The Nest Hub has a built-in clock and can detect when I’m home through its motion sensors. I decided to use IFTTT to link the Nest Hub’s presence detection with the Hue app. Now, if the Nest Hub detects that I’m home, it triggers the sunrise routine on the Hue bulbs. If I’m away, the routine stays inactive. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start!
One thing I’m still figuring out is how to ensure the lights turn off at sunset, regardless of my location. I’ve reached out to the community for advice and am hopeful someone has a workaround. In the meantime, I’m enjoying the convenience of a smart, light-based morning alarm that adapts to my schedule.
If anyone has tips on improving this setup or suggestions for alternative routines, I’d love to hear them! 