Xiaomi smart home, comfortable and safe living environment, system capabilities, equipment and configuration features

Who has not heard today about the concept of Smart Home or smart home, a technology that allows for the interaction of home devices, making the living environment more comfortable and safe. In this case, few people realize the true potential of technology, and most think of it as a frivolous undertaking, not worth the money. But among fans of innovation, the idea is gaining increasing popularity, and there is growing competition between firms that manufacture such systems. Among the companies that have implemented the concept of a smart home is China Xiaomi, a well-known manufacturer of smartphones and tablets. Xiaomi Smart Home is a system that can combine home devices into a network with the ability to change the structure and flexible settings.

Basics and features of the Xiaomi Smart Home

To make your home smart You should not hurry and try to liken it to a high-tech home from a science fiction film. In a hurry, it is likely to purchase devices that will be unnecessary. It is better to create your system on the basis of real tasks, and then expand it as needed.

You can start building a Xiaomi system (as, indeed, any alternative one) with the purchase of a starting set of components. In the case of Xiaomi, the following elements are included in the basic set:

• Hub ( Gateway ) Smart Home Multifunctional Gateway . The basis of the system, a device that combines all sensors and modules. It is equipped with a European-type outlet, so you will additionally need an adapter. To start the unit, just connect it to the network; Mi Home application installed on your smartphone, will make the necessary settings.

• Motion sensors that monitor the position of doors / windows.

• Smart Socket .

• Universal (wireless) button.

In addition to the main task, combining home devices, the hub can serve as a nightlight reasonably enough (around the perimeter of the case passes a special matte insert). The round module can also be used as an LED luminaire. It displays 16 million colors and is configured to automatically turn on if there is no main lighting; selection of the backlight mode is available in the settings. An alarm clock is built into the control unit, as well as an online radio, which, however, only Chinese radio stations catch.

How to manage: data transfer features and settings

Xiaomi Smart Home parts exchange information in three ways:

• Through short-range technology Bluetooth .

• Through technology Wi-Fi . Signal transmission over a local network is wireless (devices powered by the mains).

• According to the independent ZigBee protocol . Home devices are networked using the Multifunctional Gateway, but powered by batteries.

The ZigBee is a separate wireless network created specifically for Xiaomi Smart Home . It is distinguished by its reliability and simplicity in customization, it possesses cryptographic protection. Its main advantage is extremely low power consumption and, as a result, high autonomy of work. Sensors included in the network function properly on a single battery for a year and a half (depending on the intensity of use).

You cannot directly control the settings of sensors and devices from a smartphone (tablet), you will need to install the special application Mi Home (it is available for both Android and iOS). Despite the fact that Xiaomi has officially entered the Russian market, setting up a Mi-account has a special feature. When choosing a location, check the box Mainland (Mainland China); otherwise, devices will connect and function with problems.

After turning on the hub in the socket in the Mi Home application, select the "add device" option and follow the instructions. First, the hub is added to the application, then other devices are connected to it (they will also have to buy adapters to a European outlet, which can be considered a minus of the system).

What devices need the hub

Although some smart devices can work separately from the hub (without the ZigBee protocol), most of the main devices need it. As part of the Xiaomi smart home, the hub is necessary for all wireless sensors, both basic (movement and opening / closing) and additional (temperature control, flooding, gas leakage).

Since ZigBee is a hardware protocol (tied to a specific platform), a smart socket will not work without a hub (although the analog with Wi-Fi functions independently).ZigBee is needed for Aqara devices: a smart wall socket, and a smart cornice (curtain actuator). The protocol needs wired and wireless switches, as well as a smart door lock.

Xiaomi Smart Home Ecosystem Components

Xiaomi Smart Home devices are the most capable to make life easier. They with a clear conscience, you can shift a lot of routine affairs; As a result, additional free time appears that can be spent on more interesting things.

Smart Socket

If you decide to build a smart home, the first thing you need is a smart outlet. The device is made of heat-resistant (750 ° C) flame retardant material and is equipped with an LED indicator. This practical device allows you to control the power of household gadgets, from the air conditioner to the electric iron, and do it remotely, from any distance. The smart socket has the following set of characteristics:

• It works only in the Xiaomi Smart Home system, in conjunction with the Multifunctional Gateway unit; it acts as a repeater. Thanks to the ability of the ZigBee protocol to organize and relay, the socket will continue to work, even if the Wi-Fi connection is interrupted.

• It is plugged into an ordinary power outlet and controlled by via Mi Home mobile app (via Wi-Fi). In addition to the Wi-Fi module, there is a USB port.

• Has a Off / On Function power , timed circuit breaker and overload protection.

• Equipped with the on / off button , the activation of which de-energizes the device.

Window / door control sensors

Products whose capabilities are clear from the name are an integral part of Xiaomi Smart Home. The following parameters are inherent to Aqara Door Sensor sensors:

• Communication with other components of the system is through the Multifunctional Gateway hub .

• The opening sensor consists of two elements that are attached to the door or window with double-sided adhesive tape, which is practical and convenient. Tripping occurs when the magnetic field changes.

• The sensor is controlled via the Mi Home app, which will notify the host of a sensor trigger by sending a message to a smartphone. Also, being away from home, you can check the last response time.

• The number of sensors to be installed is unlimited , since each application is assigned its own name.

• The sensor can work in scenario , for example, to activate an alarm, a backlight or video recording when opening doors. With the appropriate setting, it will turn on / turn on the light when someone enters or exits.

Motion Sensor

The Mi Smart Home move detector's sensor monitors the volume of the room and signals movement, which makes it especially popular in combination with security alarms. It looks like a white matte plastic cylinder with a height of 3.3 cm and a diameter of 3 cm, with a detection angle of 170 ° and a detection range of 7 m.

After detecting movement, the sensor turns on the IP camera and sends a notification to the smartphone. The choice of settings becomes available after connecting to the hub. Settings allow you to add your own scenarios: turn on the lights when someone appears, turn off the air conditioning when the window opens.

About Xiaomi smart home security system in the following video:

Temperature and humidity control sensor

Optimum temperature and humidity - important condition for a comfortable living environment and well-being of the inhabitants of the house. For effective control of these parameters, a Xiaomi MiJia sensor was developed with the following set of qualities:

• Synchronization with the Mi Home application, which allows you to control air parameters from anywhere in the world (for what need an additional Bluetooth gateway).

• The state of the environment is monitored with highly sensitive integrated sensors (measurements are made with an accuracy of 0.1˚C and 0.1% humidity). Results are updated 1 time per second.

• The sensor only makes sense when working with an air humidifier and a heater . Xiaomi MiJia directs the operation of the devices when the temperature and humidity set by the host changes.

• Xiaomi MiJia Sensor will be useful as an improvised security system : sudden changes in temperature and humidity can warn you about the failure of the plumbing, heating or air-conditioning system.

• Changes in the air parameters are monitored during the day, week or month , for clarity, measurement charts are created in the application.

Smart

Wireless Smart Button Controls different scenarios of the smart home, its work is programmed at the discretion of the user. The manufacturer offers two types of devices:

• From MiJia . A round button that supports three conditions: click, double click and long click.

• From Aqara . The square-shaped button is presented in two versions: with the support of two or three conditions.

Using the Smart Button allows you to quickly launch the entire system. For example, a single press can turn on the lights and heating, and double-click activates the security system.

Xiaomi Smart Home: expanding the capabilities of

Smart Home capabilities are not limited to monitoring movement, temperature and humidity. The company offers many other useful products for added comfort and safety.

Air Purifier

The Smart Mi Air Purifier Purifier is a useful device that filters up to 330 m ³ / h of air and works in three modes:

• Automatic . The device decides to clean the air as needed.

• Night . Silent mode.

• Custom . The owner determines the parameters of work through the application Mi Home.

Inside the device there are fans and filters that purify the air of the smallest particles by 99.7% (with a diameter of up to 2.5 μm, which are the most dangerous to health). Larger particles are filtered without exception. The front panel has an indicator that fixes the state of the air: its green color indicates clean air, yellow indicates excess, red indicates an immediate (extraordinary) cleaning.

Night Light

Xiaomi Yeelight Bedside Lamp LED-lamp will be a pleasant interior addition, help you relax bedtime or create a cozy atmosphere for a friendly meeting (if you put it in the living room or office). Like all smart products Xiaomi, the lamp is controlled remotely from a mobile. Its advantages include the following features:

• Choosing the color temperature of the light . Warm and cold hues are available, from candlelight or incandescent to TV studio or fluorescent lights.

• Palette of 16 million colors .

• Brightness adjustment , setting the on / off time.

• Nightlight mode .

About the Xiaomi Yeelight Bedside Lamp in the following video:

Vacuum

Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum with its round squat body looks like a regular robot vacuum cleaner, which is enough on the market. Chip device - in the management through a mobile application. Using Mi Home, the owner can schedule cleaning by day and hour and monitor the operation, battery charge of the robot and the quality of cleaning. Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum creates a map of the room with the trajectory of its movement, which shows how the device coped with the task, or what piece of furniture prevented quality cleaning.

The robot spends an hour putting a room of 50 m ² in order. If the battery charge drops to 20%, the vacuum cleaner will hurry to the base, charge the batteries and return to the place where it interrupted its work. One full charge at maximum power is enough for cleaning approximately 120 m ² .

Conclusion

Gas or smoke detectors will take care of home security in the absence of owners ; A smart plant pot will tell you when to water the flowers. Xiaomi Smart Home is an effective way to make home appliances work efficiently (and, consequently, to save electricity). A smart home will also be useful if you need to organize high-quality home security.

In order for devices to properly execute commands via a smartphone, you cannot do without the Mi Home application. Connection does not require special knowledge and laying of wires; A prerequisite for the operation of a smart home is the availability of wireless internet and a router.