In addition to what the other reply said about going local-only using Zwave/Zigbee, the other key is that home automation should be "in addition to" not "instea

In addition to what the other reply said about going local-only using Zwave/Zigbee, the other key is that home automation should be "in addition to" not "instead of." Want to control your lights remotely or automate them? Use an in-wall smart switch. They still work as physical switches even if all your automation/smart home stuff is down. Guests don't need to know anything about the smart home, they can just operate them like regular switches. You get smarts "in addition to" the normal light operation that everyone in the world understands. Smart garage? Hook into a regular, tried and true garage opener using some kind of remotely controllable relay. The button on the wall still works, the opener in your car still works, but you can have smarts in addition to all that. Replacing regular bulbs with smart bulbs and then requiring a phone or internet connected voice device "instead of" a normal wall switch is insanity.