New scripting feature opens up complex automations to non-coders
Google is on a mission to make smart home automation more accessible to users; the search giant has just announced a new ‘help me script’ feature that is powered by AI.
The new ‘help me script’ is an experimental addition to Google Home’s script editor that aims to simplify the process of creating advanced automations. Basically it opens up the script editor for people that aren’t coders.
Google Home’s script editor was already a powerful tool for those with coding expertise, allowing them to create tailored automations for their households beyond what is possible when creating Routines in the Google Home app.
Launching later this year in a Public Preview, the process sounds pretty straightforward: you’ll just have to log into your account on the Google Home for web platform, open the script editor, and describe what you want to happen using natural language.
For example, you can type something like, “If my doorbell spots someone after sunset, turn on the driveway lights and make an announcement,” or “On Thursdays, if I’m not at home, make sure the heating is off and that the security system is armed.”
(Image credit: Google)
AI will then generate the necessary code and you’ll be able to copy, paste, and activate this code in the script editor, as shown in the example above.
Plus, if you need to make adjustments or modifications later, it’s a hassle-free process using the natural language option.
The ‘help me script’ is powered by a large language model and we’re told it will be continuously learning and improving.
This means you can expect increasingly accurate and personalized scripts as it evolves.
It’s a great option to making complex routines less of a hassle than is currently the case but it’d be much better if you could just speak these natural language instructions to the Google Assistant.
That’s essentially what Amazon just announced at its big September event with all-new Alexa voice assistant powered by its new Alexa large language model.
We’d expect the Big G to offer something similar soon and we get the feeling this new script is part of the process of training its large language model.
- Source: The Google Blog
