Posts Tagged ‘ConnectedHome’
[DevoxxUS2017] Creating a Connected Home by Kevin and Andy Nilson
At DevoxxUS2017, Kevin Nilson, a Java Champion and lead of the Chromecast Technical Solutions Engineer team at Google, joined forces with his 12-year-old son, Andy Nilson, to present a captivating live coding demo on building a connected home. Their session showcased how voice and mobile controls can interact with smart devices, leveraging platforms like Google Home. Kevin and Andy’s collaborative approach highlighted the accessibility of IoT development, blending technical expertise with educational outreach. This post examines the key themes of their presentation, emphasizing the fusion of innovation and learning.
Building a Smart Home Ecosystem
Kevin Nilson and Andy Nilson began by demonstrating a connected home setup, where lights, fans, and music systems respond to voice commands via Google Home. Kevin explained the architecture, integrating devices like Philips Hue and Nest thermostats through APIs. Andy, showcasing his coding skills, contributed to the demo by writing scripts to control devices, illustrating how accessible IoT programming can be, even for young developers. Their work reflected Google’s commitment to seamless smart home integration.
Voice Control and Device Integration
The duo delved into voice-activated controls, showing how Google Home processes commands like “turn on the lights.” Kevin highlighted the use of OAuth for secure device linking, ensuring commands are tied to user accounts. Andy demonstrated triggering actions, such as activating a fan, by coding simple integrations. Their live demo, despite network challenges, showcased practical IoT applications, emphasizing ease of use and real-time interaction with smart devices.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Kevin and Andy emphasized the educational potential of their project, drawing from their involvement in Devoxx4Kids and JavaOne Kids Day. Andy’s participation, rooted in his experience coding since childhood, inspired attendees to engage young learners in technology. Kevin shared resources for learning IoT, recommending starting with specific problems and exploring community solutions, such as hackathon projects like the Febreze air freshener integration, to spark creativity.
Fostering Community and Collaboration
Concluding, Kevin encouraged developers to explore IoT through open-source communities and hackathons, sharing his experience as a Silicon Valley JUG leader. Andy’s enthusiasm for coding underscored the session’s goal of making technology accessible. Their call to action invited attendees to contribute to smart home projects, leveraging platforms like Google Home to build innovative, user-friendly solutions for connected living.