Recommender systems attempt to identify and recommend the most preferable item (product-service) to individual users. These systems predict user interest in items based on related items, users, and the interactions between items and users. We aim to build an auto-routine and color scheme recommender system for home-based smart lighting that leverages a wealth of historical data and machine learning methods. We utilize an unsupervised method to recommend a routine for smart lighting. Moreover, by analyzing users’ daily logs, geographical location, temporal and usage information, we understand user preferences and predict their preferred light colors. To do so, users are clustered based on their geographical information and usage distribution. We then build and train a predictive model within each cluster and aggregate the results. Results indicate that models based on similar users increases the prediction accuracy, with and without prior knowledge about user preferences.

Technology is a wonderful thing; with those small glimpses of the future from sci-fi films are now realities. We have Artificial Intelligence (AI) managing our homes and businesses and automation software streamlining every process. In fact, there is a gadget out there that can help with almost every bit of our daily lives. However, a lot of technology runs on electricity, a need which presents endless issues for those concerned with global warming, climate change and all things green. This is where the use of smart tech or green tech comes in.

Last month, IKEA launched its own line of low-cost smart lighting, called TRÅDFRI, and up until now, users have had to rely on a remote control or a proprietary app to use the product. Today, the Swedish retailer announced that their IKEA Home Smart products will respond to voice commands from Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant starting this summer. Additionally, the product line will integrate with Apple's HomeKit. "With IKEA Home Smart we challenge everything that is complicated and expensive with the connected home. Making our products work with others on the market takes us one step closer to meet people's needs, making it easier to interact with your smart home products," said IKEA Home Smart's business leader Björn Block.

The Swedish home design retailer's TRÅDFRI smart lighting system will soon be compatible with some of the most common smart home hubs on the market: Apple Homekit, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. The TRÅDFRI system will also be far cheaper than other connected lights on the market, making the platform an enticing gateway for homeowners holding off on smart appliances because of their high cost. The Swedish home design retailer first announced its smart lighting system as part of its push to make homes more connected back in March, but at that point it wasn't compatible with any of the major smart home platforms, as users were left controlling the lighting with a dedicated remote control or the TRÅDFRI app. Smart bulbs don't quite measure up to a pair of custom Yeezys on the coolness scale, but the new compatibility will make the lights much more useful on the path to making connected homes cheaper for everyone.