This is a personal project I carried out in 4 different sub-projects in order to automate and control my flat using HomeKit and Siri (your voice) as much as possible.
Smart Lighting
Smart Thermostat
Amazon Dash Buttons
Homebridge
Smart Lighting can be done by anyone without technical skills. Smart Thermostat, although does not require advanced technical skills, it requires wiring a device to your boiler, that can be done by anyone who is handy. Amazon Dash Buttons requires general Linux skills (console, management, configuration…), setting up embedded devices and in this specific case, creating a program in javascript. Homebridge requires again general Linux skills and setting up embedded devices.
Detail of my WiFi router with the TADO Internet bridge and Philips Hue router attached, plus the Raspberry Pi Zero W, that connects to my network using WiFi. Note that because my socket adaptor has USB ports, I use one of them for the Raspberry Pi Zero W and another one for the TADO Internet bridge. Doing that, I avoid using 2 power supplies more.
This project is just the beginning, and we got this:
- Advantages: You get more conform in general, spend less time doing repetitive tasks (like turning on/off some lights or your boiler), and you can do a lot of really cool things.
- Disadvantage: Slightly expensive (although in the long term many devices pay off by themselves). There are no open or industrial standards. If a specific provider, for example Philips or TADO, ceases production, in the best case you would have a product with fewer features, and in the worst case, a product that does not work at all.
Future Ideas.
Combine several activities with just one button or HomeKit action. This should be easy with IFTTT, or program it manually with Homebridge creating a custom plugin. Imagine, saying “Make It Christmas” and music starts, lights start an animation, your tree starts blinking and your speakers turn on… In fact, a guy already did something similar.
The only limit is your imagination. Happy automation.