How Rob Used Be My Eyes to Build a Smarter Home

Discover how one Be My Eyes user turned a home automation project into a community connection

When Rob decided to make his home smarter, he knew technology could help make everyday life easier. The challenge? Installing 13 smart light switches without being able to see the wiring.

That’s where Be My Eyes came in.

Rob, who lost his vision completely in 1992, used the app to connect with volunteers who could assist in identifying the different colored wires during his project. His approach was simple: he didn’t need someone to be an electrician, he just needed a pair of eyes to help answer a specific question.

“I can use Be My Eyes and get a volunteer to help me,” Rob explained. “All I needed them to do was help me identify which wire was which.”

Call by call, Rob successfully installed his smart switches, along with other voice-controlled devices around his home, all with the support of Be My Eyes volunteers.

But for Rob, the experience was about more than just getting a task done. It was about the human connection that happens along the way. He loves chatting with volunteers, especially those receiving their first Be My Eyes call.

“People who are blind or have low vision are very capable of doing a lot of things,” Rob said. “We just need a little bit of extra assistance now and then.”

From wiring smart switches to figuring out a tricky dryer panel, Rob continues to use Be My Eyes in creative ways. And his advice to others is simple: don’t hesitate to call. Volunteers are there because they want to help.

As Rob puts it, Be My Eyes isn’t just about solving a problem , it’s about connecting people!

And sometimes, a quick question about a wire, a laundry machine, or a PDF document can turn into a memorable conversation with someone new.