Onvis has been a manufacturer of HomeKit devices for a long time, but I've just started using its products. One of the easiest ways to build a smart home is to add motion sensors to your home to automate the lightning depending on whether or not someone is in the room. This week, I'm looking at the Onvis HomeKit motion sensor.
HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything that has to do with the smart home frame from Apple.
The Onvis motion sensor is more than just a motion sensor. It can also monitor temperature and humidity. It is missing a display, so the information will only be available in the Home app or by asking Siri.
The main reason why you want to add a motion sensor to your HomeKit is to control other HomeKit accessories depending on whether the motion is taking place in a room. I have this motion sensor in our bonus room, where my kids are playing and watching TV. The Home application can create specific automations if the sensor detects movement or no longer detects movement.
Add to HomeKit and automate
The Onvis motion sensor works with 2 AAA batteries included, so once you install them, you'll want to scan the HomeKit code on your device using the Home app. As long as it successfully joins your network, you will be given the option to assign it to a camera. Both the motion sensors and the temperature / humidity sensors will be assigned to the same room.
If you don't already have one, I would download the Onvis iPhone app because I had a firmware update that was available almost immediately. The app didn't mention what was updated, but I thought it was smart to get the latest version anyway. After it was updated, I went back to the Home app.
While integrating the device into the Home app, I was suggested to "turn on the playroom lights" when the Onvis Motion sensor detects motion. Although I appreciate the turnkey approach to building these automations, I want to further customize it. By going to the Home tab automation tab, I can set the lights to turn on only during the day. My thought process was that if motion is detected at night and the lights aren't already on, the kids are probably watching a movie, so I not I want automation to work.
The Home app also includes the option to include automation for devices to change their status if motion is no longer detected. You could build a second one to turn off the lights when motion is no longer detected.
Finish with Onvis Motion Sensor
There are several HomeKit motion sensors on the market, but Onvis has a low-cost option that includes temperature and humidity tracking. If you're just starting out with a smart home, adding HomeKit bulbs and HomeKit motion sensors is an easy place to start.
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