HomeTech NewsOpen-source AI assistant for smart home Home Assistant unveiled

Open-source AI assistant for smart home Home Assistant unveiled

Introducing Home Assistant Voice: Affordable Smart Home Voice Control for Everyone

The creators of the popular free smart home platform Home Assistant have launched a new device called Home Assistant Voice. This innovative gadget brings seamless voice control to your smart home, connects with large language models, and works as a voice assistant. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting device.

Home Assistant Voice


What is Home Assistant Voice?

Home Assistant Voice is designed to connect with smart home devices on the Home Assistant platform via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, enabling hands-free voice control.

The device is compact, measuring just 84 x 84 x 21 mm, and includes a range of practical features:

  • Microphone (with a physical switch for disabling it entirely)
  • Speaker and volume control
  • USB Type-C port
  • Grove port for additional sensors
  • 3.5 mm audio jack to connect to external speakers

Home Assistant Voice

How Does Home Assistant Voice Work?

The gadget supports two main setups:

  1. Cloud-Based Mode: Uses the Home Assistant Cloud service for seamless integration.
  2. Local Mode: Leverages PC-based language models for speech recognition, with OpenAI Whisper as the default option.

Once activated with a wake word like “Okay Nabu”, “Hey Jarvis”, or “Hey Mycroft”, the device processes user commands using the LLaMA language model. Users can also switch to other models, such as OpenAI, by connecting through an API. This flexibility allows the assistant to handle natural conversations and act as a smart interface between humans and AI.


Technical Specifications

Home Assistant Voice packs advanced hardware:

  • ESP32-S3 SoC with an XTensa LX7 microcontroller
  • 16 MB Flash memory and 8 MB RAM
  • XMOS XU316 chip for high-quality sound with noise reduction

The device is well-documented, with resources available on the Home Assistant platform’s website. Although it’s still in a pre-release phase, its features are continuously improving as part of ongoing development.


How Does Home Assistant Voice Compare to Big Brand Assistants?

The company aims to enhance the functionality of Home Assistant Voice to rival popular voice assistants from major tech companies like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. By integrating customizable language models, it provides an open-source alternative with unparalleled flexibility.


Availability and Price

The Home Assistant Voice device is now available for purchase at an affordable price of $59. This makes it one of the most cost-effective solutions for voice-controlled smart home integration.


Why Choose Home Assistant Voice?

Home Assistant Voice stands out for its:

  • Affordability compared to competitors
  • Customizable setup with local or cloud-based options
  • Privacy-first design with a physical microphone switch
  • Compatibility with various sensors and external devices

If you’re looking to enhance your smart home with advanced voice control without breaking the bank, Home Assistant Voice is a game-changing addition to consider.