Not sure if this is a thing, but is there a smart vent register? Or even like a SwitchBot you can attach to regular vent registers to open/close them? Our gym has a vent register that my husband likes to close when no one is in there because the basement generally stays cool. But, I am very vertically challenged. I can’t even reach it even stepping on the workout bench so I have to bring a ladder out everytime I work out legs or do deadlifts because I get too hot. It’s starting to get old.
Saw these a while back when I was considering trying them but have not yet.
(Flair Smart Vent 4x12 (White), AC Vent Cover for Floors, Walls and Ceilings. - Amazon.com and Driver here NEW] Control Flair Vents with Hubitat - Free Open Source App and Driver)
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Thank you! $139 tho. Oof! May be worth my sanity tho…
Or just say Alexa Announcement "Husband get down here and open the vent that you left closed!"
Yet another toilet seat discussion 
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I've seen people on Reddit talking about these, but they seem pricey.
connectivity •915MHz Radio for device to device communication
Works with our Puck.
Not sure how it could be integrated to Hubitat, though.
There are also smart duct dampers, if you have access to the duct that leads to the vent.
Edit: @CaptWoody beat me to the post!
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Those smart registers seem to have mixed reviews, and lots of complaints about battery life and device life.
Some of those button bots do come with a variety of adapters, you are right that maybe they could be used somehow.
For example, this kit includes a ring and a pivoting pad which potentially might be useful (don't buy this exact one, it is bluetooth and not Hubitat compatible) Smart Switch Button Pusher: Bluetooth Fingerbot Plus with Toolkit for Any Buttons & Switches, Tuya App Control,No Wiring Switch Bot Button, Add a Blutooth Hub Compatible with Alexa Google Home (White) - Amazon.com
I would have to see the register and the bot in person to see if they could be used together. I suspect it could/would work, but might not be the most pleasing to look at.
This seems like a perfect job for a 3d printer to make an adapter or some type of mechanism to move the vent vanes or lever. Whenever I see stuff like this, I am more and more tempted to buy a printer to see if I could make one-off things like this. I can't remember what it was now, but in the past month or two I have had a handful of things around my home that I could have used a printer to fix or improve something.
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lol seriously the first thing that came to my mind was I wish I had some servo motors. I don’t even care if I have to use a remote and it’s not on the hub. I’m just tired of carrying the ladder 
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Oh I 100% do this when he’s at home! “LOVE! Come open the vent!!” But, he likes to go on his Jeep rides most days which just happens to be around the time I like to workout 
I have been looking for something as well. We have a large pantry with a vent in it that I close during the winter and open in the summer. I had looked at the Flair but Oof was my response as well. With Home automation I could have it close it when ever the thermostat goes into heat mode and open when cool mode. Couldn't bring my self to spend $139 just so I wouldn't have to do it manually. I set up a virtual switch that I set to on and off when I manually switch the vent. HE sends me a notification if the switch is in the wrong position when thermostat changes.
Your situation doesn't lend itself to a simple manual solution, so maybe it's worth $139.
I think the first thing I'm going to do is see if I can find like a pole or stick that I can use the move the vent thing. I wouldn't even mind that. I just don't want to carry the ladder around lol
Simply mount it to the wall. It will be one more exersise machine.
PS.
I am using Flair Vents but ony their mechanics. All original controls replaced with ZEN53. This way the HE Integration is 100% local (no clouds).
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Attach a rod to the mechanism you use when you get the ladder. Only costs $5.
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There are a couple different types of typical registers in North America, is the mechanism on yours like either of these? (the lever in the first one, or more like the dial in the second one)
this may work ?
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=zigbee+finger+bot&hvadid=693513922490
More like the dial in the second one
This is a project that I wanted to do but I just never got/get around to it. A while back, I bought some servo motors and some rod material to make an auto open/close (my vents have a slide control, but I thought I'd be able to fit a rod to the mechanism)... my house ducts are narrow/wall style (1940s) and the exposed ducting is all rectangular, so inline duct dampers are a no go.