Has anyone had success in integrating disparate systems? I have read about the Home Assistant app, which is designed for this kind of integration. Did you use this app or something else?
I’d like to integrate all of the disparate home systems I have.
Google Home (six speakers with which I use voice commands to play music, turn on lights, get information),
Google Home Nest Max screen/speaker in the kitchen and a similar smaller Google device in my home office,
three Nest thermostats (integrated into Google Home)
three Reolink cameras and the Reolink NVR
a Google wired doorbell cam (integrated into Google Home),
a Simplisafe home security system (basically for fire and water detection though it includes a burglar alarm as well),
two Lutron lighting systems in house and my wife’s studio integrated through the Lutron app into Google Home,
a Kumo Cloud for a Mitsubishi mini-split in my wife’s studio,
five other Mitsubishi minisplits that currently have no wifi connection (which can be purchased)
two really old Panasonic minisplits
a new Roborock CurvX vac/mop (that is really impressive) and an older iRobot Roomba
I would just attempt the home app and see how it goes. I used to integrate homes with Netsreams that was IP driven with Lutron radio Ra and cameras and touch panels with Triad speakers. I haven’t done any of these types of systems. There are tons of forums about them.
I’ve been relatively new to the home automation space, and I’ve added most of my devices over the last three years. My experience has been good — I really enjoy the convenience and programmable routines (although we don’t use Alexa or Google Assistant).
I was deliberate in my approach and generally chose devices that work with both Google Home and Apple HomeKit. When a device didn’t support both, I went with Google because it has a more open ecosystem. I did have a couple of older smart cameras that weren’t compatible, so I eventually replaced them with devices that were.
In your case, it sounds like most of your smart devices are already compatible with Google Home, so I’d suggest consolidating around that platform so you can control everything through one app. You may also be able to find bridge devices that allow some of the incompatible devices to work with Google Home.
If that isn’t possible, and having everything controlled through a single app is important to you, replacing those devices may be worth considering.J