I personally would be a little apprehensive about voice control that could turn the layout out anywhere in the house, what stops it from getting turned on when you're not in the room?
That thought occurred to me as well, GRJ, and your point is valid and well taken. I can't speak to what others have done or will do, but in my particular case, there are a few obvious checks to such exposure (so far -- it's still very much a "Work Not Yet Even Begun"!):
- First, the main voice operated power controller will be inserted in series with the main conventional power strip, so if I leave the (manual) power switch off when I am not anticipating needing to activate the layout, nothing will come on even if the controller is inadvertently activated remotely (I suppose that would still leave me vulnerable to a remote deactivation, but that's at most an annoyance IMHO).
- Second, the only things I'm currently thinking of activating are essentially just accessories -- lights, basically -- so if something *does* get activated, all I'm jeopardizing are a few watts of electricity and run-time on the bulbs. When/if I attempt actual control of the rolling stock (as shown in the videos), I agree it will be more crucial to guard against inadvertent (or malicious!) activation.
- Third, the Alexa app makes it relatively easy (a bit fiddly, but easy) to disable any routines or devices that you've created or connected but will not be needing, so if you're anticipating an extended period where voice activation will not be needed, you can easily (and from anywhere) disable any or all layout activation capabilities.
On the second point, IMHO it seems actual control of a train's operation by the methods shown in the videos is best limited to an isolated installation (or at least a separate loop on a larger layout) that is purely operated conventionally. In other words, control is pretty much limited to simple on-off operations, unless you're using a few additional electronic components and clever wiring as with the speed control. Perhaps there is or will be developed some way to route voice commands through Alexa (or similar systems) to interface with one or more of the relatively robust and flexible command control systems in use with model railroads, but since I've so far been exclusively devoted to conventional operation of mostly postwar Marx stuff, that's a hill for someone else to climb!