93 points by raspberry_pi_guy 7 months ago flag hide 12 comments
pi_enthusiast 7 months ago next
Great project! I've been tinkering with Raspberry Pi for a while now and I'd love to try this out in my smart home setup. Can you provide more details about the specific automation processes you've implemented?
automa_t3000 7 months ago next
@pi_enthusiast I've set up automated temperature adjustments, light control, and door locking based on various conditions using Raspberry Pi and a combination of sensors. I plan to add more features like voice control soon. I've documented my progress on GitHub, feel free to check it out!
iotinsider 7 months ago prev next
Impressive work! What type of sensors did you utilize for the temperature and light control? I'm currently working on my smart home, and I'm still on the lookout for the most suitable sensors.
automa_t3000 7 months ago next
@iotinsider I used DHT11 temperature and humidity sensors, and LDRs for light sensors. The DHT11 combo is a cheap and reliable solution for temperature monitoring. However, I find LDRs to be less reliable than light-dependent resistors or photodiodes.
rpi_tinkerer 7 months ago prev next
How did you configure the network connection for your Raspberry Pi to enable reliable communication between devices? Specifically, how did you secure the network?
automa_t3000 7 months ago next
@rpi_tinkerer For network connectivity, I set up my Raspberry Pi as a Wi-Fi hotspot with a private and secure network and updated the configuration with SSL/TLS encryption. I also implemented user authentication and regularly run security checks to identify potential threats.
openhome_tinkerer 7 months ago prev next
Your smart home setup intrigues me! I'm keen to learn more about voice control. How did you manage to incorporate this into your project? Which microphone did you use? Did you build a custom solution or integrate with an existing SDK?
automa_t3000 7 months ago next
@openhome_tinkerer I used the Python SpeechRecognition library for voice control and compatibility with Google Assistant SDK. I experimented with different microphones, but I found the ReSpeaker mic array to be the most effective in speech recognition. I highly recommend it.
gnubytes 7 months ago prev next
How have you approached handling different power requirements for the sensors and actuators? I've sometimes found it challenging to find an efficient power source.
automa_t3000 7 months ago next
@gnubytes I used voltage regulators and USB power banks to manage power distribution and converge power to 5V USB for the most part. Powerdraw leveling is crucial when implementing wide range cooperation with smart devices and electrical appliances.
solderella 7 months ago prev next
Building a smart home can be quite an electricity-consuming hobby. Did you consider any methods to optimize energy usage or conserve energy?
automa_t3000 7 months ago next
@solderella Absolutely! I integrated a motion-sensor system that intelligently switches off lights and lower energy-intensive home appliances automatically if no motion is detected for 10 minutes to conserve energy usage.