Jul 12
Perfecting Microphone Locations in the Smart Home
Where you should, and should not, place your Josh.ai microphones for optimal smart home performance.
When deploying Josh.ai, it is essential to think through where a microphone should be installed to ensure every user is heard consistently. Microphone placement not only affects the stability and reliability of voice automation, but can also present a security risk in some situations. If any of these areas look familiar, the Josh team highly recommends rethinking your microphone location to ensure you can enjoy the best and safest experience possible.
Near a Window
Placing a Josh microphone near a window can pose a security vulnerability if you are not careful. We do not want our users to face any unnecessary risk and want to ensure that a potential intruder cannot speak to your Josh system from outside. Therefore, it is imperative that microphones are positioned as far away as possible from any windows. Installing your Josh microphones away from any easily accessible exterior entry points will help ensure that only family members inside your home can talk to Josh.
Outside in Open Areas
Many Josh clients become so accustomed to using voice control that they want to use it in their backyards during summer pool days and barbecues. When installing any connected devices outside, it is important to consider how your region’s climate can potentially weather and degrade electronics that are indoor rated. With respect to your Josh microphones, try to avoid uncovered areas, proximity to water features and fireplaces, and anywhere with direct exposure to the elements.
For clients in moderate climates, we recommend partially enclosed spaces under overhangs or open-air pool houses if you want to expand your Josh experience outdoors. For our clients living in harsher environments, you can always connect a Josh Micro to WiFi and bring it outside when the occasion arises or use the Josh app to give voice commands.
Noisy Environments
When deciding where to place your Josh microphone in a media room or any room with speakers, it is essential to think through audio paths and where interference can occur. Especially, when you are watching TV or listening to music. With that in mind, avoid installing your Josh microphones within earshot of any media speakers. Background noise can also affect command accuracy and accidentally activate your system if there’s, for example, a character in a show named “Josh.”
Splash Zones
Deploying a Josh microphone in a bathroom is a great use-case for anyone wanting to use voice commands while showering or getting ready for the day. However, it is essential to ensure that electronics are at a safe distance from water sources like a sink, shower, toilet, or bathtub. For this reason, we recommend wall-mounting your Josh microphones to avoid any splashes from a sink or shower. Also, if your bathroom tends to get steamy, it is crucial to have a powerful fan and good ventilation so that moisture does not accumulate on or seep into your Josh microphone.
Spas
For our clients with spas, saunas, and steam rooms, these are great places to automate with hands-free voice control. However, the conditions in these areas are extreme for the human body as well as electronics. Since the heat in a sauna can reach temperatures greater than a Josh microphone’s operating threshold and the steam in a sauna can lead to moisture damage, we recommend positioning any electronic devices next to the doors for these rooms. That way, it is more convenient than ever to set the mood when entering your spa with lighting, music, and more!
Best Josh Locations!
- Wall-mounted, close to, or embedded in a light switch 💡
- On a kitchen countertop, but not too close to a sink 🧑🍳
- On a side table, nightstand, coffee table, or any flat surface that is easily accessible 👉
- On a cabinet or shelf that is visible throughout the room 👀
This article was written by Max Fiore, a Josh.ai Business Development team member. Originally from Connecticut, Max graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing.
Josh.ai is an artificial intelligence agent for your home. If you’re interested in learning more, visit us at https://josh.ai.
