Philips Hue adds plain-English smart lighting automations
Philips Hue has added a natural-language automation feature to its app called Custom AI Behaviors, letting users describe in plain English how they want their smart lights to behave rather than building automations through the app's limited menu system. Announced at IFA, the feature marks a significant expansion of what's possible in the Hue app, as advanced users previously had to rely on third-party tools to create complex, condition-based lighting routines. Alongside it, Hue also unveiled a new Sonos integration, letting select Hue switches control Sonos speakers.
Custom AI Behaviors lets users type instructions, such as switching lights to a nightlight setting when asleep and reverting to normal colour temperature when awake, and the system uses inputs like button presses to work out the rest. It can also reprogram physical switches, such as setting a dimmer button to disable a motion sensor. The feature, currently in beta, rolls out next month, works only on Hue's Bridge Pro, and runs on the open-weight GLM model family; the Sonos integration arrives via a software update in November, and a "Back-up & Restore" feature for bridge settings is planned for early next year.
In short
- Hue app can now build automations from plain English descriptions
- Feature launches next month, exclusive to the Bridge Pro
- New Sonos speaker control via Hue switches arrives in November
Explained simply
Philips Hue is a smart lighting system: connected bulbs and lamps can be controlled through an app, while a Hue Bridge links them to a home network. Users can set schedules and link lights to sensors or physical switches, such as dimmers.
Automations are instructions that make lights respond to events or conditions, for example changing brightness at a set time or when a sensor detects movement. Hue’s app has offered preset options, while people wanting more complex routines have often used other software. Hue is part of Philips; Sonos makes wireless speakers, which can also be connected to devices around the home.
These features matter to people who want their lights and other home devices to respond to everyday routines with less manual setup. They also show how smart-home apps are beginning to use AI models to interpret instructions written in ordinary language.
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Originally published by The Verge as “Now you can tell the Hue app how you want your smart lights to work”.