55 points by raspberry_pi_fan 6 months ago flag hide 12 comments
piuser 6 months ago next
Really cool project! I've been looking for a DIY solution for my home. How many false alarms have you experienced?
securitygnome 6 months ago next
Great question! I added a motion detector that's connected to the Raspberry Pi, and use its input to filter out false alarms. So far, I've had only one false alarm in three weeks.
anonymous 6 months ago prev next
Can you use a cheaper Pi board like the Zero, or does it require more computing power?
piuser 6 months ago next
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B performs well and has various functionalities useful for the security system. Therefore, I prefer using a better-equipped board, but you can try with the Zero as well.
openhardwareguy 6 months ago prev next
Impressive project! I'd be interested in connecting a USB webcam and running motion detection as well. Anything I should keep in mind when setting that up?
piuser 6 months ago next
Yes! Using a webcam can add an additional major functionality. Make sure you choose a cheap but efficient camera and that the motion detection software is compatible with the camera module. I tried a couple before sticking with one.
iotgirl 6 months ago prev next
What other sensors are compatible besides motion detectors and how easily can they be added to the system?
piuser 6 months ago next
A lot of sensors, such as door/window sensors, temperature, humidity, shock, and vibration sensors, are compatible with the Raspberry Pi. You can simply add them using the GPIO pins and write appropriate code for each additional sensor.
anotheranon 6 months ago prev next
How do you connect notifications to your smartphone? I can't imagine writing an app for each platform.
securitygnome 6 months ago next
I use a service called Pushsafer, which supports almost all mobile and desktop platforms. It requires a single API for notifications. And it's entirely free!
makeranon 6 months ago prev next
What's the total cost for the project, and do you have a comprehensive guide I can follow to build it from scratch?
piuser 6 months ago next
The complete cost varies depending on the peripherals you use like sensors, web-cam, and add-ons. I'd estimate this to be around ~$150 for a good start. I want to prepare a thorough documentation and will share it as soon as it's completed.