Hello everyone, I’m thrilled to share my recent success with creating an automation rule in OpenHAB. As a newbie, I’ve been exploring the possibilities of smart home automation, and I must say, it’s been an exciting journey!
My Goal: I wanted to set up an acoustic notification when my garden robot (Robby) finishes charging. This way, I’d know exactly when it’s ready to mow the lawn without having to constantly check on it.
The Challenge: At first glance, I thought this would be straightforward—after all, it’s just about monitoring the energy consumption of the wall plug connected to Robby’s charging station. However, it turned out to be a bit more complex than I anticipated. Being new to this, I relied heavily on examples and forums to piece together the solution.
The Solution: After some trial and error, here’s what I came up with. The rule monitors the energy consumption of the wall plug. When the consumption drops below a certain threshold (indicating Robby has finished charging), it triggers a voice announcement through my HabPanel.
java
import org.openhab.core.library.types.*
import org.openhab.model.script.actions.*
rule “Visualize Roboterstatus”
when
Item HM_Zwischenstecker_Garten_akt_Verbrauch_W changed
then
val verbrauch = (HM_Zwischenstecker_Garten_akt_Verbrauch_W.state as DecimalType).intValue
val verbrauch_alt = (HM_Zwischenstecker_Garten_akt_Verbrauch_W.historicState(now.minusSeconds(100)).state as DecimalType)
if (verbrauch <= 10.000) {
if (verbrauch_alt > 20.000) {
say("Your robby is fully loaded")
}
}
end
Outcome: This rule works perfectly! Now, whenever Robby finishes charging, I receive a timely notification. It’s a small but incredibly useful automation that adds convenience to my smart home setup.
Reflection: Looking back, I realize how much I’ve learned in just a short time. The community here is invaluable, and I’m grateful for the resources and support available. If anyone has suggestions to improve this rule or similar ideas, I’d love to hear them!
Thanks for reading, and happy automating! 