Diksha thakur@AnjaliK90891497
My uncle’s son Ankit* built a 2BHK smart home in Gurgaon in 2023. The whole house ran on Alexa – lights, AC, curtains, gate lock, everything on voice command.
*In the beginning it was really cool.* When relatives came over, Ankit would say:
"Alexa, turn on party mode"
And the lights would turn into a disco, curtains would close, DJ songs would start playing on the speaker. Everyone would say: "Wow son, what an amazing house you've built!"
*But the real problem started* when the power went out in the entire area for 6 hours once.
1. The inverter was only on basic load. Smart switches, hub, WiFi router – everything shut down. No lights worked, no AC, Alexa didn’t respond. Whether you said "Alexa, party mode on" or "Alexa, turn on the light" – nothing happened.
2. *The main gate’s smart lock* also had a low battery. Relatives came from outside and stood waiting for 30 min, because no one even remembered where the physical key was kept.
3. *Grandma* had to go to the washroom at night. The sensor light didn’t turn on. While trying to find her mobile in the dark, she slipped.
*What did Ankit do the next morning?*
First thing, he called an electrician and got regular manual switches installed next to all the smart switches.
Connected the WiFi router and hub to the inverter.
And put up a key holder near the smart lock where the key always hangs.
He said: "Smart home is fine, but manual backup is the real smart move. Alexa is only smart as long as there’s electricity."
Now both systems run in the house: Smart and manual too. Grandma is happy, and Ankit has no tension either
Technology is for comfort, not for dependency. Are u agree??