Enhancing Home Automation: Connecting Bedroom Lighting with Google Fit
The world of home automation continually offers innovative ways to personalize and enhance our living spaces. Recently, I embarked on a project that combines fitness data with smart lighting to create a more interactive and health-conscious environment in my bedroom. This article details my experience of hacking a Philips smart bulb to communicate with Google Fit, resulting in dynamic lighting that nudges me to stay active.
Exploring Smart Lighting Capabilities
My journey began with a Philips smart bulb, which I wanted to integrate into a custom automation workflow. However, the bulb’s official app did not support third-party integrations or custom commands. After some investigation, I discovered that the bulb accepts UDP packets containing raw JSON RGB commands, providing an opening for custom control.
Developing a Custom Solution
To bridge this gap, I wrote a lightweight Python script that sends UDP packets directly to the bulb’s IP address, enabling me to programmatically control its color and state. This approach allowed me to create visual cues based on my activity levels, specifically movement detected via Google Fit.
Integrating Google Fit Data
Connecting Google Fit involved setting up a project within Google Cloud Platform and enabling the Fitness API. OAuth 2.0 credentials were configured to authenticate requests securely. Using the API, I fetch my recent activity data to determine if I’ve remained inactive for a period.
Automation Logic
The core functionality is straightforward: if I haven’t moved in two hours, the script sends a UDP command to the bulb instructing it to glow an “angry red” color, serving as a visual reminder to get up and move. The command sent over the network is simple yet effective:
bash
echo '{"method":"setPilot","params":{"state":true,"r":255,"g":0,"b":0}}' | nc -u -w 1 192.168.1.72 38899
Here, replace 192.168.1.72 with your bulb’s IP address. The command changes the bulb’s color via raw JSON.
Reflections and Future Ideas
While unconventional, this project exemplifies how creative hacking can bring fun and functional enhancements into our homes. It also opens doors to more complex automations, such as gradual light changes based on activity levels or integrating additional smart devices.
I’m excited to explore further possibilities and would love to hear feedback or suggestions from the community.
For a detailed walkthrough and technical details, check out the full thread here
