Smart home with Xiaomi Aqara Smart Home – what it can do and what it can’t? Review of devices for building a smart home from Xiaomi

Xiaomi “Smart Home” is an automated system that allows you to easily control household appliances; it will create comfort in the home and make the consumer’s life easier in many aspects. The company's products have a number of advantages:

• The Xiaomi Smart Home kit has compact dimensions;
• Attractive design that will be a spectacular addition to any interior;
• Availability and ease of use;
• Easy setup - even an inexperienced user can handle the task;
• Connection of multiple devices is available;
• To control you will need a mobile device based on the Android or iOS operating systems.

Xiaomi Smart Home

The original Xiaomi “smart home” includes several sensors through which the user is able to control the system remotely. The gadget is able to assess the degree of illumination, shows the current air temperature, and notifies the consumer about movements observed in the house while he is away.

The Xiaomi Smart Home smart home kit is equipped with the following elements:

• A sensor whose job is to process information and transmit it to the network;
• A sensor that detects movements. Having configured the element, the user can use the room lighting at any convenient time;
• Sensor designed for mounting on a door or window;
• Wireless doorbell.

A set of Xiaomi sensors for a smart home can work in combination with other elements of the system, such as lamps, sockets, etc. The kit is easy to use, and installation does not require the involvement of a specialist.

Popular Smart Home Products

Buy"Smart House"from Xiaomi can be combined with other devices. A webcam that shoots video in HD resolution is popular. With its help you can monitor everything that happens in the room.

A smart socket makes it possible to remotely turn off appliances from the network. The device has a safety certificate and an attractive design.

One of the brightest products from the Chinese manufacturer is a smart lamp that can display 16 million colors and shades. The device will decorate any home, provide comfort and, if necessary, create a romantic atmosphere.

Advantages of Xiaomi Smart Home

The manufacturer offers a wide range of accessories to create a comfortable life. The Xiaomi Smart Home smart home kit in combination with other products will become effective tools for ensuring safety and comfort. Also, the Xiaomi smart home has a number of other advantages:

• Saving time and money on paying utility bills. Now the switching on and off of lighting is monitored by Xiaomi - a set of sensors for a smart home;
• A fresh look at leisure and entertainment. Leisure time with the system will become pleasant and interesting;
• You can monitor what is happening in the house at any time, wherever the user is;
• A reliable watchman who will promptly notify its owner about extraneous movements in the house or apartment.

The manufacturer regularly develops and creates new products that can surprise consumers. The online store offers an impressive range of products for creating a complete “smart” system. Implementation"Smart home"from Xiaomi is carried out at affordable prices!

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Today we are reviewing a set of Xiaomi smart home sensors Aqara and a smart camera Aqara Xiaomi.

The smart home, together with the Xiaomi Smart Home Suit, automates the management of the home environment and household devices. We will look into what a set of sensors and a hub from a Chinese manufacturer can do in this review. A list of terms will help you understand how and what a smart home from a Chinese manufacturer does.

What is a smart home?

Hub– main device, command and control center. Receives human commands and then forwards them to devices with a specialization suitable for the request. The way a smart home and a person communicate depends on the form factor of the hub. In its standard implementations, you only use apps on your PC and smartphone, but Google Home or Amazon Echo smart speakers combine a hub with a built-in microphone and speaker for voice control.

In smart speakers, Google, Amazon or Cubic use their own voice assistants. Since the hub developer limits the choice of compatible devices to a conventional “ecosystem,” you will have to create an updated checklist of companies whose devices are certified with your hub.

Smart home ecosystem– a compatibility model, which is based not so much on technological standards, but on agreements between the creators of the hub and smart home devices. This means that it will not connect to the Google Home ecosystem, although it probably could.

Major players like Google or Xiaomi are able to simultaneously release both a hub and a line of smart home appliances compatible with it. This happens because while the technology is new and the market is not established, everyone strives to make their ecosystem the generally accepted standard.

However, the Google Home platform is open to most developers and already supports such complex products as the Honeywell smart heating system. Even the closed environment of the Apple Home Kit is certified with Phillips Hue light bulbs.

Ecosystem planners attract products from outside developers because the tasks of the same home heating or lighting are in areas far from the company's specialization. In short, boiler houses from Google would be too expensive.

Sensors– devices for direct, automatic and remote control over the state of the house: temperature, air humidity, lighting, smoke and illegal entry are controlled by sensors. When human participation is required, they send messages via Wi-Fi or GSM network, but in normal mode they automatically support the parameters set by the user.

For example, smart heating systems (thermostats) regulate the temperature in the house according to a set schedule. When residents go to work, the temperature in the house decreases to save heat, and by the end of the working day the heating will work more intensively again. If you are going home early, then remotely start heating the house from your smartphone. With Honeywell, you can actually just ask Google Assistant to raise the temperature.

Internet of Things– within the framework of a smart home, this is a network of household appliances, gadgets and similar devices that communicate with the hub via Wi-Fi through a cloud server. You control this entire network from one application on your smartphone, PC or voice through a smart assistant. A device that is incompatible with the hub can only be controlled through a separate application.

Ready-made kit of hub and sensors Xiaomi Smart Home Suite

The Chinese brand Xiaomi has become famous in its country and the rest of the world in just 6 years since the company was founded. Xiaomi started with cheap but competitive smartphones, and then expanded into new markets every year. Including the market for smart things, which made it possible to talk about the formation of the “Xiaomi ecosystem”.

Like the rest of the company's devices, Xiaomi's smart things are sneaky ideas from competitors with somewhat reduced functionality of the final product, but at a low price and high build quality. Xiaomi assembles the most high-tech devices at the same factories as Apple. The Xiaomi Smart Home smart home covers 45 devices, including washing machines with kettles, and quadcopters with hoverboards (see the list of compatible devices at the end of the review).

After forming their own ecosystem, Xiaomi decided to keep up with competitors and released their own kit - a hub with a button and sensors in one set at a price of ~4,000 rubles. A modest, but still ready-made kit for creating a smart home costs 2.5 times cheaper than one Google Home smart speaker and 3 times cheaper than Amazon Echo. Moreover, other Xiaomi smart devices are cheaper than those from other companies.

Isn't that cool? No, it's economical. Cool is a smart home with a cloud-based voice assistant that adapts to a specific user and develops with the growth of AI capabilities. This is the future, and the Xiaomi project is simply an automated home, the user of which you will become after installing Xiaomi Smart Home Suite.

Packaging and delivery

The set is packaged in a thick cardboard box in a “lid-bottom” format, measuring 20 by 10 cm. The bottom is decorated like a manga in a chibi drawing, which clearly explains the purpose of the devices from the set. This is very cute and this is the only instruction in the set that is understandable for Russian-speaking anime fans. ^_^

The contents are secured by a partition with holes for a hub, a multifunction button, two door opening sensors and a motion sensor. In fact, the kit format is “Hub + security system”. The design of these five devices is made in the style of “socialist futurism” characteristic of Xiaomi - white matte plastic and the desire for a monolithic form.

Simply put, the design is as charming as a photograph of a residential area. The kit is complemented by a key that opens the housing for replacing batteries, mounting sensors and a user manual in, as you already understood, Chinese.

Hub

The device is cylindrical, height ~40 mm. The front panel is covered with a grille for the speaker, and a Chinese-style plug grows from the back side - you will have to use an adapter for it. There is no possibility of autonomous power supply. The Xiaomi Smart Home hub is surrounded by a transparent strip of indicator light, which works in backlight mode in the dark.

Behind the strip there is a sleep button for security sensors, which also turns off the backlight and confirms the connection of new devices. By the way, assigning alarm and lighting control to one button is an idea on a level with the same key for a child’s room and two gun safes in the basement. Just imagine how a child decided to play with the hub light in your absence...

For remote access to a smart home and communication with a cloud service, the hub connects to a home router. The ZigBee protocol is used for communication between sensors and smart things. This is a wireless local network with low energy consumption. With it, the sensors included in the kit operate at a distance of up to 30 meters and for two years without replacing batteries.

Door and window opening sensors

They look like soap dishes, one is larger - 41 mm, the other is smaller - 26 mm. Due to its weightless size, it seemed to the developer that it was sufficient to attach the “double-sided adhesive tape” system. By the way, putting the intrusion sensor on adhesive tape is an idea for the level of a hammock stretched between two gun safes, the key to which goes to the children's room. Just imagine your dog tearing off the tracking sensor...

Both sensors use a CR1632 coin cell battery. There is a LED indicator on the front of the case, and a button on the side for connecting to the hub. The sensor uses a reed switch and a magnet to trigger motion at a set time. If someone opened the door in your absence, you will receive an alert on your smartphone. You will be able to see an unexpected visitor only after installing the Xiaomi XiaoFang Smart Camera.

Motion Sensor

The cylinder is 30mm in diameter with a 170° IR sensor viewing window. There is also a status indicator and a connection button on the case. Judging by the graphic instructions on the Xiaomi Smart Home box, it is installed on a hill, like the edge of a shelf. The sensor's visibility window should cover the intended location of intruders' entry.

To install the sensor, you guessed it, adhesive tape is provided. In general, using a thin drill, you need to put all these sensors on the screws, and use the released adhesive tape to catch flies, for example. The battery and notification method are the same as the previous sensor.

Multifunction button

Thick disk with a diameter of 50 mm. Here, fastening with adhesive tape is justified. Accepts single and double clicks. Through the button menu in the Smart Home application. You assign the devices that the button controls. You can assign identical functions to different devices, such as turning on the coffee maker and the TV in the kitchen.

The case has the same indicator and button as the other devices in the set.

Xiaomi MiHome app

Only for smartphones, Android and iOS are supported, but the functionality is limited for Apple OS. To control a smart home, you will need to register on the Xiaomi cloud server, which the application will offer after the first launch. In the device menu you configure the scenario and work schedule. The application also has a built-in store for Xiaomi smart home devices, but it is still useless for Russian users. Although after the company entered the Russian market in 2016, there was hope that one day this would change.

You also have access to the event log and user menu, which displays active devices and account selection. This is useful for setting up a child mode and allows you to lock settings for devices such as a smart alarm clock.

List of compatible Xiaomi Smart Home sensors and devices

Photo: Mi Smart Kettle

The Chinese manufacturer's smart home kit includes only a basic set of sensors. Naturally, you can expand the system with additional devices.

Below, read an extensive list of devices that you can control using the application. You will find some of the devices or sensors in Russian online stores, but you will have to look for many on AliExpress:

Smart lighting

photo: Xiaomi Yeelight Lamp

• Xiaomi Yeelight Blue Smart Lamp
• Xiaomi Yeelight LED smart lamp
• Smart Xiaomi Yeelight Lamp
• Rui Chi Philips Lamp
• Table lamp Xiaomi Philips EyeСare Smart Lamp 2
• Smart LED strip Xiaomi Yeelight LED strip

Air cleaning

photo: Mi Air Purifier 2

• Mi Air Purifier
• Air Purifier Mi Air Purifier 2
• Xiaomi Air Humidifier
• Smart water filter Mi Water
• Smart water filter Mi Water 2
• Smart air conditioner i-Youth Smart Air Conditioner
• Xiaomi Mi Smart Fan

Smart TV

photo: Xiaomi Mi TV 3S

• Smart socket Mi Smart Power Plug
• Smart electric extension cord Xiaomi SMART Power Strip
• Car charger with built-in Bluetooth and FM transmitter Xiaomi Roidmi

Smart video cameras

photo: YI Home Camera

1. Xiaomi YI Home Camera
2. Xiaomi Mi White Smart Camera
3. Xiaomi XiaoFang Smart Camera
4. Xiaomi Mi Alarm Clock Smart Watch

WiFi

• Xiaomi MiWi-Fi routers
• Wi-Fi signal amplifier Xiaomi Wi-Fi Amplifier

Rest

photo: Xiaomi Mi Drone

• Quadcopter Xiaomi Mi Drone
• Scooter Xiaomi Ninebot Mini
• Smart kettle Xiaomi Kettle
• Xiaomi Mi Cube Hub
• Smart washing machine Kokichi Smart Mini
• Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum robot vacuum cleaner
• Home scales Xiaomi SmartScale
• Children's smart watch with tracker Xiaomi Mimi Rabit Watch

One of the trends of our time is the creation of a “smart home”. There are many manufacturers who produce devices to make your dream home come true. Xiaomi kits for remote control of many processes in the home have proven themselves well in the smart assistant market.

Description: advantages and disadvantages of the Xiaomi system

The Xiaomi smart home system has many positive qualities:

• the ability to adjust the set’s functions to the needs of the owners;
• additional equipment with new devices (as needed);
• economical energy consumption;
• data protection from outside intrusion;
• work via Wi-Fi.

The system can operate in two modes: remotely and directly when the owners are in the house. A separate useful feature of the Xiaomi set is setting it up for a security alarm.

For successful operation of the system, it is desirable that the air humidity in the room does not exceed 95%, and the acceptable temperature limits are from minus five to plus forty degrees.

The advantages of the system include the fact that its installation and connection does not require laying cables or drilling walls; it is enough to secure Xiaomi devices using double-sided adhesive tape, which is included in the kit.

The main disadvantage of the Xiaomi smart home system is its inability to adapt to Europeans. Everything is focused on knowledge of the Chinese language - from connecting to a socket (a specially designed plug) to setting up functional modules (there is neither a Russian nor an English version). Even the radio only works in Chinese.

Main control unit

This device combines several functions: system control, sound dynamics and a light source.

The Xiaomi system control unit will not take up much space

To turn on the device, a regular power supply is suitable, but its plug is made like an Australian one. You will need an adapter, which is included in the kit. You can also purchase a suitable universal extension cable with a USB connector.

There is a control button on the top, with its help you can change the operating modes of the device.

The main system control device looks aesthetically pleasing and can be placed in any room

The speaker can be used as an alarm clock or for listening to Internet radio (Chinese only). There is no possibility of tuning to any other radio stations in the world. You won't be able to play your music archives either.

The central module can also be used as a night light: up to 16 million colors come from this device. The owners of the “smart home” adjust the brightness and color themselves.

The color of the night light can be adjusted to your liking

System components

To remotely control a smart home, you need the Internet and a system that allows you to start or disable certain processes from a distance. Xiaomi specializes in producing a wide range of products - from smartphones to plasma TVs. This company also produces devices for the “smart home” system.

The Xiaomi smart home system is compact and does not take up much space

Externally, this set looks like a yellowish box, inside of which there are all the components and instructions in Chinese with illustrations.

Illustrated instructions for the system, with captions in Chinese

You can automate some household processes using a system from Chinese manufacturers Xiaomi, which includes:

With elements of the “smart home” system, you can automate many processes in the apartment

Video: review of the Xiaomi Smart Home kit

System installation and configuration

Connecting to a wireless network is a prerequisite for the operation of a Xiaomi smart home. The first thing you need to do is download the Xiaomi Smart Home application to work in a smartphone with this system: Xiaomi in the App Store (for iOS) or its analogue in the ARK extension for Android OS. After logging into the application, an account is created; it will be useful for further work with the system.

The next step is to connect the central gateway to Wi-Fi. A simple plug-in and the appearance of a yellow light means you are ready to select and configure new devices in the system. All actions must be correlated with the algorithm that appears on the screen. The sounds accompanying the operation of the device, unfortunately, will not be understandable to everyone, since voice instructions are given in Chinese.

Installation

Step-by-step connection instructions:

Settings

All manipulations with the main block are done in the Gateway tab. For example, in setting up the light, you can change the brightness and tone.

Use the sliders to adjust brightness and color

The exact time and days of the week are entered in the alarm settings tab. We must remember to make allowances for the time difference with China. You can also configure the alarm to turn off, preferring the manual method or the sensor.

In the alarm settings tab, you can set the start time of the alarm and the duration of the call

To configure the inclusion of the lamp and the duration of its operation, you need to go to the tab for the night light. The operation of the lamp can be correlated with the time of day, days of the week, and depending on this, the necessary data can be set.

The following parameters are indicated in the alarm indicators:

• number of sound devices triggered (one or more);
• type and volume of sound;
• siren activation schedule.

To set up a doorbell, you need to set the signal volume and melody. The smart home system has an important function - a doorbell notification sent to your smartphone.

In the doorbell tab you can turn the signal on or off and adjust its volume

You can add new devices to connected devices using the “add device” function. To connect additional functions, you will have to use a paperclip (included in the kit): insert it into the hole on the module body and hold it for a few seconds.

Types of Xiaomi smart home devices

There are a lot of “smart” assistants that make life easier for modern people and are able to work in the absence of their owners. The Xiaomi campaign offers a wide range of such devices:

1. Robot Vacuum Cleaner. Dry cleaning of medium-sized rooms can be done by Mi Robot Vacuum. This assistant is designed with a restrictive movement function. The vacuum cleaner can clean without damaging furniture and walls, since the sensor built into it sees obstacles and does not collide with them.

   Robot vacuum cleaner is a good help for working women

2. Fan. This device works both mains and autonomously. It has several airflow modes. The device can be moved to any corner of the house and even to a loggia or terrace. The setup is done through the application.

   The fan interface will fit well into any interior

3. Xiaomi Mi Water Purifier is a filter for water purification. Four levels of purification allow it to be used to improve water quality. Integrating this device into a smart home system is not difficult.

   Using clean water from the tap is easy and simple if you have such a “smart” assistant

4. Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier - air purifier. Air in need of purification enters the device from four sides and exits through the top hole in a treated form. Wool, unpleasant odors, and impurities are removed at high speed. Ten minutes of operation of the device is enough to purify the air over an area of ​​20 m2.

   With an air purifier, you don't have to worry about harmful impurities in the atmosphere at home.

5. An air humidifier - Xiaomi Mi Air Humidifier - will help change the condition of the air space, this is especially true when dust accumulates and there is a lack of moisture. In the application, you can make settings for remote operation of the device: timer, on time, etc.

   In dry weather, you can humidify the air in the room before arriving home.

6. Xiaomi Mi Smart Kettle is a remotely operating kettle that can maintain a certain temperature and turn on or off according to the set parameters.

   Externally, the Xiaomi kettle is no different from conventional devices

7. Xiaomi Mi Smart Power Plug is the socket that many people dream of. Its advantage is that it is able to monitor the charging process of devices; using this device, you can easily regulate the network power for certain devices over a long distance.

   The Xiaomi socket will help save energy and charge the necessary devices in time

8. Xiaomi home cameras are designed to allow owners to monitor their home in their absence or monitor children or house helpers from a distance.

   CCTV cameras can be placed on the floor or on walls using adhesive tape

The company is developing and constantly improving, providing new services to its clients and potential buyers.

Possibilities of a “smart home”

After connecting all the system components, living in a “smart home” becomes very convenient. By default, the Xiaomi system is configured to ring the front door. The preset also includes:

• alarm triggered by movement or opening of a window sash;
• alarm clock with date and time settings;
• a night light that responds to movement or operates from a power button.

If you have additional components of the Xiaomi system, you can automate other home processes. For example, when the alarm goes off, the video camera will automatically start working or the air supply from the room air freshener will stop simultaneously with the opening of the window.

In the smart home system, you can configure many individual scenarios; each owner does this at his own discretion. For example, a few minutes before the alarm goes off, you can start the coffee machine or turn on the alarm after the car leaves the garage. The capabilities of the smart home system include such a useful function as receiving SMS messages on a smartphone or tablet, this is done via the Internet. Moreover, all family members can have this connection at once, which is convenient for parental control.

You can view sensor readings directly in the smart home system application; all logs are saved. Xiaomi updates system applications quite often, and the sensor batteries are designed for two years of service. After the end of their service life, they can be replaced.

Features of use

The smart home system operates within an Internet connection area with five-meter coverage. This is Xiaomi's practical use data, although the documentation defines much smaller limits - up to two meters.

About 30 meters of uncluttered space will be needed for the sensors to function well, for a company-guaranteed space - 10 meters. The sensor signal can even pass through two walls. Several controllers can be connected to the central gateway to monitor the operation of multiple sensors. Unfortunately, the system does not provide battery charge monitoring, which can cause unexpected failure of some components.

Control

A stationary personal computer is not suitable for controlling a smart home system. Only two operating systems can do this - Android and iOS. The software is updated constantly and can be downloaded to your tablet or smartphone. Xiaomi has provided the use of a cloud service, this is useful for remote system setup.

Smart home system applications have three types of icons: devices, profile and store. In the “devices” tab you can control connected sensors, the “store” is necessary to purchase equipment, an account is created in the “profile”, devices are monitored, and feedback is sent to the company about the operation of the system.

Organizing a comfortable and safe living space is one of the priorities of Xiaomi. To achieve this goal, its engineers have developed a whole complex of sensors and modules, which is called Xiaomi Smart Home. Let's try to figure out together what exactly is included in the kit and what its components are needed for.

Contents: complete set

Unlike the vast majority of products, the Xiaomi system is packaged in an elegant cardboard box in a luxurious wine shade. Opening its top cover, you will find all the components of the kit, each of which has its own place. The elements lie tightly, which eliminates the possibility of damage during transportation.

Also supplied are a metal clip, which is needed to install and connect other gadgets, and an instruction manual.

Xiaomi Smart Home central control unit

One of the main components of the Xiaomi Smart Home is the central module, to which other devices are connected. The peculiarity of its functioning is that the connection with other elements occurs via the ZigBee protocol from Xiaomi. Its advantage is low energy consumption, as well as a well-thought-out data security system, for which encrypted communication channels are used.

The Multifunctional Gateway hub provides the ability to use it as an alarm clock, which is achieved through the built-in speaker. If you turn on the backlight, it will act as a night light that can change the brightness and color palette of the glow within 16 million colors. The glow comes from a thin strip located on the side.

Xiaomi Body Sensor

Like all elements of the Xiaomi Home smart home kit, the Body Sensor body is made of snow-white plastic, which effectively resists mechanical stress and ultraviolet rays. To activate it you need to use a special paper clip. It is responsible for detecting movement in the room.

As soon as even the slightest movement in the room is detected, a message with relevant information will be immediately sent to the owner’s smartphone. It also knows how to turn on the night sensor at night so that your path is effectively illuminated.

Door/Window Sensor

With it, you will be absolutely sure that there is no possibility of unauthorized entry into the apartment. Door and window opening sensors are installed using double-sided tape, which holds them securely on a vertical surface.

Xiaomi Smart Home Windows Sensor can interact with the air purifier: if the window is open, it will send a corresponding signal to the air purifier to turn it off. If, in the absence of the owners of the house, the modules detect the opening of windows or doors, a message will immediately appear on your phone, and the hub itself will glow red and emit a loud siren sound.

Smart Power Plug

The process of installing it does not cause the slightest difficulty: just plug it into a standard electrical outlet. It will light up blue. This will mean that it is in working order.

Remote control is carried out using Wi-Fi technology, so it will continue to receive commands even if you are outside the room. It is also possible to control it using a mechanical button on the case.

Its advantages:

• Connection of all types of plugs, including European and Chinese standard;
• The ability to create individual scenarios, for example, turning on/off at a user-specified time;
• Control of individual devices connected to it. The owner can set the shutdown, for example, of a laptop at 18.00, and a humidifier at 20.00. And they will turn off exactly on time.

Temperature/Humidity Sensor

The Xiaomi smart home also consists of a module responsible for measuring humidity and temperature. It reads data in real time and creates graphs, which can be viewed through the Mi Home application.

If you connect a heater to the outlet, then as soon as the temperature set by the user is established in the room, the sensor will send a signal to turn off the heater. A similar situation will occur if you synchronize it with a humidifier.

Mi Smart Button

This is a button that allows you to implement many functions. So, it can be used as a light switch with multiple scenario settings. It can also be used as a call. The advantage of the product is that with one click you can turn on the alarm, i.e. it supports remote switching on/off of household appliances included in the set. There is support for single and double clicks.

How to properly connect system elements?

To do this, you will need to download and install the proprietary Xiaomi Mi Home application. After installation, you will see the line “Add a new device” and select the gadget you need from the list that opens. Then take a paperclip, it needs to be inserted into the hole in the device that you just selected. After that, configure its operation through the application at your discretion.

It is possible to create groups, sort, rename, customize and create your own scripts.

How advisable is it to buy a Xiaomi smart home kit?

If your safety is important to you and you want to always be sure that your apartment is under reliable protection, then purchasing a system from Xiaomi will be the best solution both in terms of price and functionality. The devices included in it operate using the reliable ZigBee protocol, so the possibility of data leakage is completely eliminated.

It is difficult to surprise anyone today with the Smart Home system, which involves combining electrical appliances into a single network and controlling their operation. But for many, this system will seem complicated and impossible to implement.

But technology does not stand still. Manufacturers are emerging who are ready to challenge established dogmas and present the market with newer and more advanced systems.

One of these companies is Xiaomi, which has expanded the capabilities of the smart home, making it even more functional and simple.

Below we will consider what the smart home system from Xiaomi is, what elements it consists of, and what principles the network is built on.

What is a Smart Home?

“Smart Home” is a system for controlling equipment in a person’s place of residence, which provides comfort, safety and energy saving with limited participation of the owner.

Over the years, once unique technologies have become widely used. If previously motion sensors were used only in security systems, today they are even installed in entrances (to turn on the lights).

A modern Smart Home system must promptly identify and respond to force majeure situations. So, if a leak occurs, a command is given to shut off the water. Has an intruder entered your apartment? The alarm goes off and the police are called. Do you smell gas? The system issues a command to close the gas tap.

This list can be continued for a long time. The point is that major decisions are made automatically, without human intervention.

The design of the Smart Home system occurs during the construction process or during major renovations of the building. The cost of the equipment is substantial, so the costs of setting up the system are appropriate.

But there are solutions that can reduce the cost of solving a problem, for example, or the system described below.

What is a Xiaomi smart home?

The main advantage of the Xiaomi Smart Home series smart home is that it is controlled using a smartphone. This is due to the presence of communication with the head unit via Wi-Fi.

Moreover, during the setup process, the system is “linked” to the user’s account, which allows you to control it remotely - from any place where there is Internet access.

The second advantage is the ability to add a group of devices that are sold separately from each other. As an example, a surveillance camera, lamps, smart socket and other equipment.

The Xiaomi Smart Home kit includes a group master device (gateway), which monitors the following aspects using sensors:

• Movement;
• Door position;
• Switch positions and so on.

Options

When assembling the Smart Home system, it is worth considering that there are three configuration options:

• Basic;
• Smart Home;
• Individual, with additional control bodies.

Let's look at the main options.

The basic package includes:

• Main controller;
• Sensor for opening and closing doors, as well as movement;
• Universal button.

The manufacturer positions the set as a home alarm kit.

The Xiaomi Smart Home kit includes the following elements:

• A multifunctional gateway that can additionally be used as an online radio or night light. Even with an unstable Wi-Fi connection, the device performs its functions.
• A door and window sensor is a product that reacts online to opening or closing;
• (ZigBee version).
• Motion Sensor.

If desired, the user has the right to supplement existing devices with additional monitoring bodies and instruments. To expand the functionality, you can purchase the following elements:

• Temperature and humidity sensor;
• Wireless button;
• Smart curtains and so on.

Review and capabilities of the main gateway (controller) Xiaomi Smart Home Gateway 2

The controller combines the elements of the Smart Home system into a single whole. Its functions include connecting sensors, setting control programs, sending commands to connected devices, and working as a night light or radio.

The kit comes with an instruction manual, the controller itself and a special clip. The latter is necessary to link regulatory authorities to the device.

You can judge the quality and reliability of the controller just by its appearance. But keep in mind that its plug is only suitable for Chinese sockets, so you will have to purchase an adapter.

Gateway versions

The Xiaomi Smart Home controller has a second version gateway. The first version does not have a radio, and the second version has a radio.

The advantage of the latter option is that the device works in developer mode and copes well with tasks in alternative control systems.

The diameter of the controller is about 8 cm, and the thickness is 3.5 cm. The product has a button, when pressed, additional functions are activated.

A speaker is installed on the front part. It is necessary to work in radio, alarm or alarm mode.

Features of the Zig Bee interface

The controller’s task, in addition to the functions already discussed, is to combine two interfaces - Wi-Fi and ZigBee.

The ZigBee interface has much in common with a wireless network and “blue tooth”, but it has a special feature - it consumes a minimum of electricity, which ensures a battery life of up to a year or more.

To receive signals, a gateway and ZigBee protocol are used. As soon as a signal is received by the device, the controller communicates with a special “cloud” using the interface, after which certain commands are executed.

If you disable the gateway, all sensors that are connected to it are also deactivated.

How is a mesh built using the ZigBee protocol?

Setting up the Xiaomi Smart Home network is done as follows:

To control the controller, log into it through the app on your phone. The user can turn on the backlight, change the color and brightness of the glow.

When you go to the Device tab, you can add new sensors. To do this, click “Add device”, select the device and click the confirm button (located at the top).

Features, characteristics and operating principle of a smart socket

In combination with the multifunctional gateway, which was described above, a smart socket allows you to check the status of a particular device even in the absence of the owner of the house.

Through a special application, you can set the on and off time for each outlet. To distinguish connected devices, special icons can be installed.

Smart plug characteristics:

• Voltage - up to 250 Volts;
• The body has a square shape;
• White color;
• Weight - 63.5 grams;
• Dimensions - 5.5*4.4*3.1 cm;
• Operating temperature - from 0 to 40 degrees Celsius.

Possibilities:

• Remote control from a smartphone. The user can set any scenario for the socket. For example, at a certain time the water heater, the light in the hallway or the multicooker turns on.
• Automatic shutdown when overheating (temperature sensor provided). If the outlet becomes overheated, the user receives a notification and the current supply is stopped.
• Check status from a distance. Now you don’t have to worry about devices that are not turned off.
• Timer function. Using this option, it is possible to reduce energy consumption and extend the life of various devices. For example, you can set the water heater to turn on and off before waking up or coming home from work.
• Application of complex technologies in production. In the manufacture of the device, fire-resistant material is used that can withstand temperatures up to 750 degrees Celsius. The quality of the product complies with CQC standards.
• Compatible with Android and iOS operating systems.

Connecting the smart socket of the Xiaomi Smart Home kit occurs in three steps:

Capabilities of window and door opening sensors

Xiaomi Smart Home window and door sensors are special devices that make life comfortable. The kit includes two elements with special notches.

When the elements are close to each other, the reed switch (a special relay that responds to a magnetic field) is activated.

With their help, it is possible to determine the fact of closing or opening windows (doors) or other sashes. Often used with air purifiers and air conditioners. When the windows are opened, the devices are turned off; when closed, they are turned on.

Also included is adhesive tape for mounting.

Operating principle:

• Connect the device to a door or window;
• Using an app on your smartphone, combine it with an air purifier, for example;
• Make the necessary settings.

To set an algorithm that includes a melody, do the following:

• Place the sensor on the door;
• Connect it to a smart socket;
• Complete the settings.

To set security modes:

• Install sensors;
• Turn on security mode;
• Receive an alert on your phone when strangers enter your home.

Possibilities:

• Switching to standby mode when opening a window for ventilation;
• Automatic switching on of lighting;
• Turn on video recording if strangers are found in the house;
• Can be used not only on doors and windows, but also on a mailbox or cabinet;
• Use of high quality materials that are resistant to moisture and fire;
• The device response speed is only 15 seconds;
• Ease of connection and synchronization with sensors installed in the house;
• Ability to connect up to 20 devices to one switch.

Characteristics:

• Input voltage - 3V;
• White color;
• Dimensions - 3*2.6*1.5 cm;
• Weight - 0.1 kg;
• Android version - version 4.0;
• Operating period - from 5 years;
• Permissible temperature is from -10 to +50 degrees Celsius.

Scope of application - control of air humidification or cooling elements (for example, when a window is opened, the devices are turned off), to monitor the position of the front door to turn on the light or trigger a security alarm.

When setting up, the following scenarios are used - open, closed or open for more than 60 seconds. For example, when opening or closing a leaf quickly (up to a minute), the scripts are not executed.

Wireless switch capabilities

The Xiaomi Smart Home wireless switch is a special device with which you can quickly wake up your child for school or turn off the power of connected equipment with one click.

The device does not require special installation, can be mounted in any convenient location and has local control.

Externally, the wireless switch looks like a small “puck” that is attached using double-sided tape. The front surface of the button is push-button. Its diameter is 5 cm and thickness is 1.3 cm.

Motion sensor capabilities

The motion sensor is a key element of the system.

Its capabilities:

• Timely detection of movement (animals and people).
• The use of a group of sensors installed in each room. As a result, it is possible to control the entire house or apartment. Installation is carried out near the bed, doors and TV.
• Availability of on and off timer. If during a certain period the device does not detect movement in the room, the TV and air conditioner turn off.
• When darkness falls, the night light turns on, which can be configured using an application on your smartphone.
• Automatic shutdown.
• Control of movement of pets.
• Easy to install. No tools are required for installation - just lay or glue the sensor to the surface.
• High quality. During the manufacturing process, powerful IR sensors are used, and recognition accuracy is ensured by the presence of an optical lens. The case is made of material that is resistant to UV rays and retains its appearance for a long time. In addition, the product is made using special technology, which allows it to be used in damp rooms.
• High response speed - up to 15 ms.
• Low energy consumption. The battery in the product will last for two years.

The connection is made in two stages. First, add motion sensors using the application, then insert the key into the device to configure it.

Characteristics:

• Compatible with iOS7 and Android 4.0;
• Weight - 20 g;
• White color;
• Dimensions - 6.5*7*3.5 cm.

How does a temperature and humidity sensor work?

The main options for a temperature and humidity sensor in a Smart Home system such as Xiaomi Smart Home include:

To get started, you should take a few steps - launch the application and connect the Xiaomi Smart Home gateway, select the add option, then press the button and hold it for five seconds.

A message about the connection should appear on the gateway page.

How to distinguish devices that require a gateway from those that can do without it?

If the sensor does not have a wired power source and is powered by a battery, the product will not be able to work without a gateway. In addition, a gateway is required for a smart socket and all switches running on the ZigBee protocol, as well as smart curtains.

Other devices (lamps, water purifiers, multicookers, etc.) operating via blue tooth or Bluetooth work without a gateway.

Connection

Connecting the Xiaomi Smart Home is done as follows:

Once the preliminary work is completed, you can begin connecting the sensors.

Here the algorithm of actions is similar:

The principle of connecting all sensors follows an identical algorithm.

Example scripts

One of the most interesting moments in learning the “Smart Home” from Xiaomi Smart Home is assigning scenarios. It is worth noting that the configuration of the latter is limited only by the imagination of the home owner, as well as the number of connected elements.

For example, on weekdays you can set the alarm to turn on after leaving for work and turn it off 3-5 minutes before returning. If no movement of the protected object is detected within a certain time, the alarm is activated again.

For convenience, you should configure the buttons for quick access, and then use them to control the Xiaomi Smart Home without logging into the application.

For example, when approaching an apartment, you can activate a preset mode, which involves turning off the alarm, turning on the lights and activating the main devices. For convenience, it is worth providing access to other residents of the apartment.

pros

The advantages of the Xiaomi Smart Home smart home system include:

• Benefit in price. Essentially, the smart button is given as a gift;
• Availability of necessary devices;
• Ease of installation;
• Large selection of scenarios;
• Convenience;
• Reliability.

The main drawback is the lack of translation of the application, which leads to difficulties when setting up scripts. In addition, when you purchase a Xiaomi Smart Home, you get a closed system that only works with Xiaomi.

Frequently asked questions and answers

In conclusion, we will present a block of questions that users ask and give answers to them.

QUESTION 1: “I plan to use Xiaomi Smart Home at the dacha. They use the Internet from Tele2, a router with a wireless network is installed to connect devices. Tell me, is the connection between the Smart Home and the application carried out directly with each other or through the Xiaomi cloud?

ANSWER: The second option is correct. Switching occurs through the cloud, so control is available via mobile Internet on the phone or using another wireless network (for example, in a cafe).

QUESTION 2: How many temperature sensors are recommended to be connected to the Smart Home from Xiaomi Smart Home? The official website states that the operating protocol is a wireless Wi-Fi network, but this is hard to believe given the battery life of up to five years. I came across information that Xiaomi Smart Home Gateway 2 works with regulatory authorities via ZigBee, and this confirms the theory about less energy consumption. Tell us what protocol is actually used?

ANSWER: The main control unit of the Smart Home system is connected via a wireless network, and its elements are connected via the ZigBee protocol. The maximum number of such elements is up to 20.

QUESTION 3: Which application should I download from PlayMarket to set up my smart home?

ANSWER: MiHome application is required. Today the program is also available in the Russian version.

QUESTION 4: Much equipment for the Smart Home is made in version 1 or 2, like the controller. How compatible are these products?

ANSWER: practice has shown that there are no compatibility problems.

QUESTION 5: what is the difference between the 1st and 2nd generation?

ANSWER: In the 2nd generation, an Internet radio option was added.

QUESTION 6: I plan to purchase temperature, smoke, door/window and motion sensors, as well as a Xiaomi router. What controller will you need to work through the application - Mijia Honeywell or Cube?

ANSWER: to control a smart home using an application, all you need is a main unit and a router (any). Using a Xiaomi router allows you to combine all elements and set scenarios. The task of the Cube controller is to control using the movements of the controller, and the smartphone acts as an intermediary. As far as Honeywell is concerned, this is a regular smoke detector.

QUESTION 7: Is it possible to control Xiaomi Smart Home elements using IR rays or a radio signal, or only via Wi-Fi?

ANSWER: the unit works through a router and via Wi-Fi. To work via infrared ports, additional equipment is required - Xiaomi universal-ir-remote-controller.

QUESTION 8: Will the Xiaomi Smart Home work with routers from other companies?

ANSWER: yes.

If you have other information on this topic or have questions, write them in the comments, we will try to answer them.