An Artificial Agent for Light Switch

Ecobee is a home automation company that makes thermostats for residential and commercial use. Smart lights are the second-most desired home automation devices after thermostats, but being able to remotely control the lights is only a small part of the vision. ecobee light switches have embedded microphones, a speaker, and far-field voice technology that allows the user to control the lighting, thermostat, and other smart home products. One major goal of this project is to create an artificial agent, which monitors and controls the light switches. To make this concept a reality the agent will gradually learn the residents’ schedule and behavioral patterns, and make decisions accordingly. The light switch agent aims to estimate the probability for turn on and off actions by leveraging machine learning and AI, in a non-deterministic environment.

Faculty Supervisor:

Roger Grosse

Student:

Partner:

Ecobee Inc

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Technology; Energy and Utilities; Advanced Manufacturing

University:

University of Toronto

Program: