The latest version of Home Assistant, designated as 2026.3, introduces significant enhancements, particularly in automation and voice command capabilities. Notably, users can now direct robot vacuums to clean specific areas on demand, utilizing features supported by integrations like Matter, Ecovacs, and Roborock.
This update also includes the ability to use wake words such as “Okay Nabu” and “Hey Jarvis” on Android devices, enhancing voice interaction. The processing for voice commands occurs locally, though this may increase CPU usage and necessitate ongoing microphone access.
In addition, Home Assistant 2026.3 features improvements to the Energy dashboard, allowing users to view real-time power and gas flow rates without navigating through multiple menus. The organization of tabs into Electricity, Gas, and Water enhances user experience, and energy bar chart tooltips now provide day-of-the-week information.