The winter holidays are getting closer and, even if this year we will not travel too far from home, we will still want to know it is protected, when we are away.
A house ‘equipped’ with VIKI does not require additional attention from the owners even when they go on vacation. All you have to do is to activate the “Leave” scenario (for only a day) or “Mini-Holiday” or “Holiday”, if you are going to be away longer. The house will remain safe, ready for our return.
VIKI “guards” the house with its security system (burglar alarms with motion sensors, security cameras), but it also protects the house against bad weather or intruders, by using the external shutters. As we explained in a previous article, exterior shutters can protect the house from wind, too strong sunlight, during summer, or cold, in winter. They help maintain a constant temperature in the house, saving energy. Moreover, when we are gone, they act as a barrier against uninvited “guests”.
And if we are talking about unwanted visitors, they may be discouraged from trying to enter the house by simulating the presence of the owners. With the help of lights controlled by the house server, internet-connected security cameras, shutters and smart thermostats, VIKI can help us manage the house remotely and even suggest that the house is not empty. For example, outdoor or indoor lights can be turned on automatically in the evening and at night in different lighting settings for Holiday or Leave scenarios, then turned off during the day, just like when the residents are at home. Likewise, the blinds can be raised in the morning and will be lowered in the evening. VIKI can even turn on the TV or audio system to suggest the presence of people in the house.
On the other hand, however, the system with remote control facilities allows us to give access for couriers or cleaners, even if we are hundreds or thousands of kilometers away. This is possible with the help of access control and the intercom, both permanently connected to the owner’s personal phone, via the VIKI application. Read more details about automated access to a smart home here!
Plants will not be neglected in the absence of people either, because VIKI knows exactly how much water and light they need.
When we prepare to return home, all we have to do is tell VIKI, activating the “Coming home” scenario in the application, and the system will start preparing the house for our arrival. We will have the preferred temperature on return, because VIKI will set the smart thermostats for each room, depending on the settings previously used by the users.