We control our light mainly via motion detectors. The bathroom is no exception. However, we have the problem that the motion detector does not reach into the shower. Therefore, without further ado, we hung a motion detector in the shower, which is now also taken into account when controlling the light. In addition, with the motion detector, we can also solve another problem at the same time: The volume of the music. Normally, a volume of about 40% is enough for us in the bathroom. However, when the water splashes, we hardly understand anything. Therefore, the motion detector also immediately regulates the volume to about 70%. We show how we implemented this in this Automation of the Week.
Adjust volume
Let’s first take care of adjusting the volume as soon as someone takes a shower. To do this, we create a new automation in Apple’s Home app. As a trigger, we select “When a sensor detects something”, or more precisely, as soon as the motion detector in the shower detects movement.
In the next step, we select the HomePod Mini in the bathroom. Under “Play Audio”, we check “Adjust Volume Only” and set it to about 70%.
Click “Done” to create and activate the automation. This already automatically increases the volume as soon as someone enters the shower.
Switch off light
We control our bathroom light via two automations so far. One switches the light on when motion is detected, and the other switches the light off again accordingly as soon as no more motion is detected. We edit the latter in Apple’s Home app and go to “Select devices and scenes…”.
We leave the previous selection as it is and go to “Convert to shortcut” at the very bottom.
Now we add an “if” action. In it, we check whether the motion detector in the shower has also not detected any movement. Only then do we turn off the lights as usual.
Via “Next” we get a summary of the automation, which we confirm with “Done”.
Since we have two different motion detectors in use, where the switch-off times also differ, we need to add the same automation again with swapped motion detectors. So this time, the automation should be executed as soon as the motion detector in the shower no longer reports movement.
In the next step, we select the HomePod Mini from the bathroom and go to “Convert to Shortcut…” at the very bottom.
We open the “Set Bathroom HomePod” action, select “Resume Audio” and check “Adjust Volume Only”. We then set the volume to about 40%.
This already reduces the volume as soon as no more movement is detected in the shower. To turn off the light as well, if necessary, we add an “If” action in which we check if the other motion detector also detects no motion. In that case, we turn off the light in the bathroom.
Via “Next” and “Done” this automation is also created and activated.
As soon as movement is detected in the shower, the volume of the music is increased. Once you have left the shower, the volume is automatically reduced again and if there is no one in the bathroom, the light is also switched off. If you want to install a motion detector in the shower, you should choose a model that is also suitable for outdoor use.
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