How to connect and configure all Xiaomi smart home devices

Many companies offer equipment for automating processes in city apartments and private mansions. The products have their advantages and disadvantages, different price ranges and a set of functions. Against the background of competitors' products, the Xiaomi smart home system, made by the leader of Chinese and world electronics, stands out. The quality of the company's products is evidenced by its confident leadership among competitors. At an affordable cost, Xiaomi smart home is characterized by ease of use, reliability and functionality.

Description of Xiaomi smart home system

The Chinese company Xiaomi was founded in 2010. The main focus was on digital technologies. In 2014, the first version of home automation was released, consisting of an electronic lamp, an outlet, a surveillance camera and an infrared control unit. Since then, the company has significantly expanded the volume and scope of home electronics manufacturing. As of the beginning of 2020, the range of Smart Home systems produced by the corporation is approaching a thousand items.

Structurally automatic control systems manufactured by the company are subdivided into the following categories:

1. Wired, battery operated, with one port, in which the modules are combined into one network.
2. Wireless. They are locked to local Wi-Fi, they are powered from a 220V household network.
3. Radio controlled. The devices are connected via Bluetooth, energy is supplied from a 12V power supply.

All systems are designed to ensure a healthy microclimate, comfort and safety of people living in the house with their minimum participation in the management and control process.

A smart home from Xiaomi is a complex and multifunctional design that controls the climate and lighting of the room, reacts to emergencies, gives an alarm in case of illegal intrusion, turns on household appliances on a signal or at a certain time.

Review of Xiaomi smart home kit devices

A set of Xiaomi mi smart home equipment is a set of devices combined into one scheme, each of which performs a specific function. The number of options in one system is limited only by the number of objects that need to be automated. The product can be purchased as a set or you can buy separate modules when the need arises.

The Xiaomi Smart Home kit includes the following devices:

• Hub. Central unit used to control the modules installed in the premises. The hub is used to configure the parameters and operating mode of the smart home elements. The housing of the hub is a white plastic cylinder with a display, speaker and LED crystals. The kit includes an adapter required to connect to the network. The control module itself can function as a night light, indicator, alarm clock, radio and MP3 player. In addition, the button activates the security mode. Synchronization of connected devices is carried out using the ZigBee protocol, which ensures energy saving and protection of transmitted data. Due to this, the product can operate autonomously on one battery for up to two years.
• Window or door opening sensor. The fixtures are designed to keep your home safe. Triggering occurs when the doors and leaves are opened. The element consists of a reed switch and a magnet.Fastening to the base is made with double-sided tape. Each sensor is equipped with a work indicator and a hidden on / off button. The devices are powered by a portable battery.
• Motion Sensor. Has a wide range of applications. Activates video surveillance, alarm and lighting systems. The product is a small plastic cylinder 30x30 mm in size. There is a sensor window and a power button on the body. The operating range is up to 7 m with a coverage sector of 170 degrees. The sensor can be installed in any position on a countertop, walls and ceiling.
• Wireless button. It is a touch-sensitive device for controlling system options by single, double and long press. The configuration of the controller is adapted to the size and shape of the palm, which allows it to be used with maximum comfort.

In addition to the standard set, you can connect several more devices to Xiaomi smart home, the list of which is constantly growing as the company's products are improved.

The main components of a smart home

When designing and creating a smart home using the Xiaomi Smart kit, every detail must be taken into account and every nuance must be taken into account. The advantage of the Chinese-made system is that at any time you can connect additional components and set them up without much difficulty.

A complete set of automation includes the following features:

• Safety system. Without this option, it makes no sense to install other equipment, as it can be stolen, damaged or destroyed. The design is based on the type of sensors best suited to the environmental conditions, traffic density near the site and the configuration of the fence. When a danger is detected, the sensors send a signal to the control module, which triggers the alarm. All this will not be able to apprehend the intruders, but will help put them to flight.
• The microclimate in the house. The well-being and health of its inhabitants directly depends on the microclimate in the premises. Temperature and humidity sensors are used as indicators, which need to be configured and connected to smart sockets. When the properties of the air change, household appliances are turned on, bringing its parameters to the specified values. Heating with a thermostat works in a similar way, provided that it is autonomous.
• Smart lighting. In this direction, almost unlimited opportunities open up for real estate owners. You can make the device independently turn on and off the lamps and adjust the illumination level depending on the time of day.

Having shown imagination, you can automate almost all processes, making living in a building or apartment as comfortable as possible.

Automation of household tasks

Using the Xiaomi smart app allows you to manage even those processes that are traditionally considered manual.

Kitchen:

• stove - controlled remotely from a smartphone;
• gas oven - equipped with a gas leakage sensor, integrated with an exhaust hood;
• extractor hood - controlled by voice or turned on when vapors and smoke are detected;
• refrigerator - a three-chamber product is equipped with air cooling and a disinfectant filter, the built-in display functions as a telephone, TV and a collection of recipes;
• rice cooker - has 300 cooking recipes, controlled by sensors or a smartphone;
• coffee maker - fully automated, remote control of the device is provided with the ability to select the strength of the drink;
• multipurpose kitchen machine - heats water, prepares juices and compotes, the degree of their readiness and temperature is transmitted to the smartphone via the router;
• electric kettle - the water temperature is set and controlled via a mobile device;

Bathroom:

• a diffuser for a sink tap - the water supply turns on contactlessly when a hand approaches;
• soap dispenser - dispenses liquid without contact with the button on the signal of the infrared sensor;
• toilet seat - has anatomical properties, is equipped with the functions of a bidet, lighting, heating, air freshening and automatic flushing;

Microclimate and cleanliness:

• sterilizer - a multifunctional machine that performs washing, disinfection and drying of dishes;
• a self-recharging robot vacuum cleaner - performs dry cleaning in rooms, the application makes it possible to start equipment and observe the process;
• washing machine - with a load of 8 kg has protection against leaks, short circuits and the ability to remotely control and monitor;
• waste basket - as the bags are filled, it extracts and seals the used ones, installs new containers;

Other:

• drinking dispenser for animals - the product provides pets with filtered water as it is consumed;
• control sensor for plants - after analyzing the level of humidity, illumination and temperature, it sends a signal to the owner's phone that it is time to water the flower;
• home theater - the device reproduces photos, TV signals, movies, music, and can be used as a touchscreen computer monitor.

Not all people have the financial resources to buy all the equipment at once. You can start with lighting, then build a media block. So you can create a full-fledged smart home in a few years. This solution is convenient because the modules are sold ready-made; there is no need to have special skills to connect them. Complete with devices are detailed and understandable user manuals.

Organization of work and installation of the program

The home automation system should be assembled in stages, entering the next options after installing, configuring and checking the performance of the previous ones. This process may take longer, but will make the job easier.

When drawing up a project, the following rules should be taken into account:

1. The actual need for a particular module. The product may be unclaimed or not suitable for the operating conditions.
2. Ease of device management. It should be clear to all residents.
3. Compliance of the product with the interior of the room.

Installation of devices and their connection can be performed even by a novice master who has basic skills in handling a smartphone.

The smart home is connected using the Xiaomi Smart Home application, which is freely available on the Internet. You can download it on Google Play for Android OS or in the App Store for Apple OS. After installing the application, you can immediately start configuring the system.

It should be borne in mind that the translation of the application leaves much to be desired. It can only be understood by a connoisseur of Chinese and English with good analytical skills. It's easier to find a competent review on the Internet or download an explanatory translation from the w3bsit3-dns.com website. It contains the connection sequence and the necessary plugins for it.

Examples of smart home scenarios

Creating and customizing scripts is an interesting and creative undertaking. It is determined by factors such as the number of modules, imagination and the characteristics of the property.

Lighting control can include options such as:

• automatic switching on and off of lamps as a person moves along the corridors, rooms and paths near the house;
• activation of lamps with the onset of darkness and their shutdown at dawn;
• various modes of operation of the night light.

Climate control using timers and sensors can be no less interesting:

• activation of devices when the temperature drops and the humidity changes;
• turning off air conditioners, dehumidifiers and humidifiers when the sensors for opening windows and doors are triggered;
• work of heaters according to a certain schedule;
• creating an optimal microclimate in the room when a person appears in it.

You can also get creative when creating a security system:

• the use of the Xiaomi video intercom to record people who come during the absence of the owners in the house;
• activation of sirens, cameras and searchlights when motion sensors are triggered;
• shutdown of gas and water upon detection of leaks;
• inclusion of a backup generator in case of power outages.

With sufficient funds, ingenuity and imagination, you can use Xiaomi technology to create a real smart home of your dreams.