This is first article about open-source home automation systems and how to use them. Since quite a long time, we have to "suffer" using proprietary and closed systems such as AMX, Crestron, Control4 and so on and even for AMX for example some outdated systems ! It's time to get back control of these systems and stop using "black boxes" and go for open source, customisable, and local systems that are also not manufacturer locked, not even speaking prices of these systems (Don't forget some home automation manufacturers charge at least 2000 up to 3000€ for a touchpanel that costs maximum 300€ ;)
Multiple solutions exist already for home automation with open source softwares but to list the major ones: Openhab, Domoticz, Home-Assistant, and for these articles, I'll focus on Home-Assistant that has progressed a lot these last months and reach quite a stable state and supports plethora of protocols to control devices.
Home-Assistant is based on Python, a programming language with a lot of success recently ! I suggest you get a look at Home Assistant website: http://www.home-assistant.io There is also already a very large community around that ecosystem: https://community.home-assistant.io/
Next article will focus on installing Home-Assistant and base configuration. In the meantime here is shopping list for next article:
- Raspberry Pi 3 or 2 (3 is best as more powerful and recent).
- microSD memory card (4Go minimum) (or more capacities but not really needed in our case), (good quality one as system will be stored on it !).
- good quality USB power supply for our system.
- network cable to connect our Pi on LAN (at least for initial installation ! after that it can be switched in Wifi if needed !).
- Razperry card if you have or plan to have some ZWave devices.
- Case for the Raspberry Pi to protect it (lot of choices on AliExpress, you can choose the case with metal heatsink for processor).
- SSD drive (128Go will be more than enough, an old SSD is perfect for that as Raspberry Pi is not a powerful computer ;)
- USB/SATA case for the SSD and connect it at Raspberry (no need of an USB hub or external power supply if you use a SSD !).
See you at next episode for installation by itself and initial setup/configuration of the system !
