=Introduction= Home Assistant is a free and open-source software for home automation that is designed to be the central control system for smart home devices with focus on local control and privacy. It can be accessed via a web-based user interface, via companion apps for Android and iOS, or using voice commands via a supported virtual assistant like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
=Challenges= Most voice assistants are associated with major multinatonal corporations and invasive end user license agreements. Voice and other data may be shared with unknown third parties, including governments.
=Approaches= Open source voice assistants work locally and allow for additional control over personal information.
=References= * [https://www.home-assistant.io Home-assistant.io] distribution * [https://mycroft.ai Mycroft home assistant] * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Assistant Wikipedia: Home assistant]