Gavin Campbell joins this week and we covered winter weather, his strong early results with the Segway Navimow robot mower, the improved sound and smart-home functionality of the Echo Dot Max, and his Unraid 7.2 upgrade that boosted responsiveness. We discussed how we are using local AI for automation, troubleshooting, and coding, along with bigger questions around AI’s economics and infrastructure. We closed with notes on CES planning, upcoming guests, and a quick update on Sammy’s library-science studies, plus an invitation to keep the conversation going in our Discord. Thanks for listening!

Episode Overview

In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I sit down with Gavin Campbell for a deep dive into emerging home-tech innovations and real-world smart-home use cases. We open with some fun sports energy as we celebrate the Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series run, before jumping straight into the latest gadgets transforming modern living.

Robotic Lawn Care & Outdoor Automation

Gavin shares his hands-on experience with the Segway Navimow robotic mower, explaining how it has completely reshaped his lawn-maintenance routine. We explore the rapid evolution of smart lawn equipment, including advances in LiDAR guidance, battery systems, and market pricing. As competition ramps up, Gavin predicts wider accessibility and accelerating adoption for homeowners looking to automate yard care.

Echo Dot Max & Smart-Home Enhancements

We turn to the Echo Dot Max and its meaningful upgrades. Gavin breaks down the device’s improved audio quality, onboard sensors, and enhanced integration within smart-home ecosystems. We also discuss the shift from cloud-heavy processing to more local intelligence, and how this transition benefits speed, reliability, and privacy in home automation setups.

Unraid 7.2 Upgrade & Home Server Efficiency

Gavin then walks through his upgrade to Unraid 7.2 and the performance boosts it delivered, particularly around UI responsiveness and resource efficiency. He highlights Unraid’s flexibility for media management and home-lab workflows, along with the importance of staying current as the platform continues to evolve.

Practical Local AI for the Home

We spend significant time exploring how AI is being deployed locally in real-world home environments. Gavin demonstrates how he uses on-device models for smart notifications, particularly with camera systems and live event detection. We also unpack how AI is accelerating routine coding tasks, amplifying productivity for developers working inside their own networks rather than relying solely on cloud-based tools.

Industry Perspective & Looking Ahead

We close with a broader discussion about volatility and maturity in the AI and consumer-tech market, touching on potential course-corrections and long-term integration trends. Gavin shares his upcoming plans for CES, where he will connect with creators and scout cutting-edge innovations that will shape the next wave of smart-home and AI tech.

This episode blends practical experience, forward-looking commentary, and enthusiastic curiosity across smart-home automation, AI adoption, and the tools shaping tomorrow’s connected household.

What robotic lawn mower did we discuss in this episode?

We focused on the Segway Navimow robotic mower. I highlighted Gavin’s hands-on experience with it and how it transformed his lawn-care workflow, especially with its advanced navigation and automated maintenance capabilities.

How is LiDAR changing robotic lawn care?

LiDAR is improving precision, navigation, and obstacle detection in robotic mowers. As the technology becomes more common, we expect lower pricing and wider consumer adoption.

What improvements does the Echo Dot Max offer?

The Echo Dot Max delivers enhanced sound quality, additional onboard sensors, and improved smart-home integration. It also pushes more processing locally instead of relying solely on the cloud, which improves speed and reliability.

Why did Gavin upgrade to Unraid 7.2?

Gavin upgraded to Unraid 7.2 for increased interface responsiveness, better resource efficiency, and improvements that support media servers and home-lab workflows.

How are we using local AI at home?

We talked about running local AI models for smart-home automation, including live security alerts from camera feeds and assistance with coding tasks. Running AI locally increases privacy, reduces cloud dependency, and improves reaction time for home automation.

Will smart-home AI replace cloud services entirely?

No. We expect a hybrid model. Local AI will handle faster, privacy-sensitive tasks, and cloud AI will handle heavier or distributed workloads. Both approaches will coexist as the ecosystem matures.

What did we discuss about the future of AI and technology costs?

We covered the possibility of an AI market correction, rising data-center costs, and how local computing will continue to grow in importance. Despite industry shifts, the integration of AI into smart-home systems will accelerate, not slow down.

What personal and industry updates did we share?

Gavin is preparing for CES and looking forward to connecting with creators and exploring new innovations. I also shared updates on my daughter Sammy and her library-science studies.

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg661

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #661 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

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Chapters

Summary

• Blue Jays World Series and Weather Update[0:00]
  • Jim Collison introduces the show, mentioning the Blue Jays’ performance and the cold weather in Bellevue, Nebraska.
  • Gavin Campbell discusses the Blue Jays’ unexpected success, starting from April and leading to the World Series.
  • Jim Collison expresses support for the Blue Jays and mentions his own team, the Giants.
  • Gavin Campbell talks about the Blue Jays’ upcoming games in Toronto and the potential impact on the series.
• Gavin’s New Robot Lawn Mower[2:46]
  • Jim Collison asks Gavin about his new robot lawn mower, a Segway navigable model.
  • Gavin shares his positive experience with the mower, mentioning its ability to trim the grass regularly.
  • Gavin describes the challenges he faced with the mower, including replacing wheels for better navigation on inclines.
  • Jim Collison and Gavin discuss the future of robot lawn mowers, including potential improvements and new models.
• Echo Dot Max and Smart Home Devices[5:53]
  • Jim Collison and Gavin discuss the new Echo Dot Max, highlighting its features like sound quality, sensors, and smart home integration.
  • Gavin mentions the Echo Dot Max’s ability to work as an Eero Wi-Fi extender and its potential as a Matter controller.
  • Jim Collison talks about his experience with Amazon devices and the new Alexa plus cancel service.
  • Gavin and Jim discuss the challenges of integrating smart home devices with home assistant and other ecosystems.
• Unraid Server and Home Assistant Integration[21:10]
  • Jim Collison asks Gavin about his Unraid server and the recent update to version 7.2.
  • Gavin explains the benefits of the new Unraid interface, including better responsiveness and improved efficiency.
  • Jim Collison and Gavin discuss the use of home assistant as a voice interface and the challenges of integrating different smart home devices.
  • Gavin shares his experience with home assistant and the customization options available.
• Local AI and Coding Efficiency[30:59]
  • Jim Collison and Gavin discuss the use of local AI for tasks like notifications and coding assistance.
  • Gavin explains how he uses local AI for image recognition and notification updates in home assistant.
  • Jim Collison shares his experience with using AI for solar setup advice and configuration.
  • Gavin talks about the efficiency of using AI for coding, including the use of GitHub copilot and local AI models.
• Future of AI and Data Center Costs[52:58]
  • Jim Collison and Gavin discuss the potential impact of AI on job markets and the future of data centers.
  • Gavin mentions the high costs of running data centers and the potential for collaboration to reduce these costs.
  • Jim Collison talks about the bubble in AI investments and the potential for a market correction.
  • Gavin and Jim discuss the long-term impact of AI on various industries and the need for continued innovation.
• Home Tech FM and CES 2026[1:00:10]
  • Jim Collison asks Gavin about the latest news from Home Tech FM.
  • Gavin mentions the upcoming CES 2026 and the plans for the Home Tech FM team to attend.
  • Jim Collison expresses interest in attending CES and meeting other content creators.
  • Gavin shares his excitement about meeting industry experts and exploring new technologies at CES.
• Personal Updates and Health Issues[1:03:12]
  • Jim Collison shares his current health issues, including back pain and the need for medical attention.
  • Gavin and Jim discuss the challenges of aging and the impact of health problems on daily life.
  • Jim Collison mentions his plans to see a chiropractor and a massage therapist for relief.
  • Gavin talks about his own health challenges and the importance of staying active and healthy.
• Final Remarks and Closing[1:05:06]
  • Jim Collison thanks Gavin for joining the show and discusses the upcoming schedule.
  • Gavin mentions the upcoming guest, Wieger, and the topics they will cover.
  • Jim Collison reminds listeners about the Discord group and the average guy.tv platform.
  • Jim Collison and Gavin wrap up the show, expressing their appreciation for the audience and looking forward to future episodes.

In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I engage in a lively conversation with Gavin Campbell about the latest trends and innovations in home technology. We kick off by discussing the excitement surrounding the Toronto Blue Jays and their incredible journey to the World Series, showcasing Gavin’s passion for sports as well as tech.

As we delve deeper into home gadgets, Gavin shares his enthusiasm for his new Segway Navimo robotic lawnmower. He elaborates on its performance and features, highlighting how it has transformed his lawn care routine. The conversation shifts to the evolution of smart lawnmowers, particularly the advancements in LiDAR technology, battery capabilities, and pricing trends. Gavin predicts that as competition increases, we will see a gradual decrease in prices, making these devices more accessible to the average consumer.

We further explore smart home technology, focusing on the latest iterations of the Echo Dot Max. Gavin provides an in-depth review, detailing its improved sound quality, feature-rich design, and integration with smart home ecosystems. He emphasizes the additional functionality provided by built-in sensors and Wi-Fi capabilities, setting the stage for a more immersive smart home experience. The discussion takes an interesting turn as we compare the new Echo Dot Max with older models, particularly how cloud processing is shifting toward more local capabilities.

Shifting gears, we touch upon Gavin’s insights into the world of Unraid. He discusses the recent upgrades to Unraid version 7.2, emphasizing the significant improvements in user interface responsiveness and resource efficiency. Gavin details his own experiences with the Unraid system, noting its flexibility in handling various media applications and the importance of keeping abreast of new releases and their potential quirks.

Throughout our exchange, we delve into the role of AI in home automation and smart devices. Gavin illustrates how he utilizes local AI models for smart notifications, showcasing a practical application in home security by integrating his camera system with AI for real-time alerts. We also explore the implications of AI advancements for local coding, where Gavin shares his experience in enhancing his programming efficiency with AI helpers in his coding environment.

As our conversation draws closer to the end, we reflect on the current state of the tech landscape, discussing potential market shifts and the impact of recent developments in AI. Gavin expresses his belief that while some changes may come with challenges, the integration of AI and smart technology is here to stay. We conclude the episode by catching up on personal updates, including Gavin’s preparations for the upcoming CES event, where he looks forward to connecting with other content creators and exploring the latest innovations in tech.

This episode is packed with insights and enthusiasms around home gadgets, smart technology, and the future of AI, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in enhancing their tech-savvy lifestyle.

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