To all the home automation kickstarters
2013-07-24 00:06:19.854241+02 by Dan Lyke 7 comments
To all the home automation kickstarters & crowdfunding pitches I get, I want 1 thing: docs on how *my code* talks to it. Gimme that, I'm in.
2013-07-24 00:06:19.854241+02 by Dan Lyke 7 comments
To all the home automation kickstarters & crowdfunding pitches I get, I want 1 thing: docs on how *my code* talks to it. Gimme that, I'm in.
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re: made: 2013-07-24 00:13:44.325314+02 by: Jack William Bell
Of course you realize programmable home automation will also result in extending cloud-based telematics platforms into the home. Result? The NSA will know your thermostat settings and how often you go to the bathroom.
#Comment Re: made: 2013-07-24 00:29:00.484198+02 by: Dan Lyke
What with smart-metering, I figure they already know that... Especially since I've got the fancy Toto toilet seat.
This one was brought on by yet another "control your lights with your iPhone" kickstarter. I would love something I could control at the price point this one was claiming, but if it's yet another "phone home, doesn't work if the net is down, and I can't automate it from my server" thing... or where I have to spend a bunch of time network sniffing to try to figure out how to talk to it, well... I can buy a lot of those already.
#Comment Re: made: 2013-07-24 00:46:57.586671+02 by: ebwolf
I'm using a VeraLite right now because I wanted to try their phone app. But the Aeon Z- Stick seems to be the choice for more hard-core automators.
Right now I only have my front door lock and office lights on Z-Wave. The Kwikset Keypad deadbolt was $60-$100 more for Z-Wave over the same keypad lock without. The GE Z-Wave dimmer was worse at almost $45 for a dimmer that has usability issues.
My complaint now is the divergence of devices. There's Z-Wave, ZigBee and X10. And then there's whatever Nest is using. And Phillips Hue. I just got a pair of nice D-Link wifi cameras but they seem to speak their own language as well (although I can get them to FTP files or send an email in response to motion which is enough for me).
#Comment Re: made: 2013-07-24 08:24:21.383012+02 by: ebwolf
Digging a little further...
open-zwave is a C++ library for coding up your own automations using devices like the Aeon Z-Stick.
RaZberry is a daughter card for Raspberry PI that speaks Z-Wave.
#Comment Re: made: 2013-07-24 20:36:22.893222+02 by: ebwolf
I have a project on the honey-do list: Make an automated dog treat dispenser that activates automatically when someone approaches the front door. Bonus points if the dog treat dispenser doesn't activate while a dog is barking. I think the RaZBerry is just the ticket.
#Comment Re: made: 2013-07-29 05:59:52.695648+02 by: TC [edit history]
Late to the party but this an interesting subject. I'm looking into farm automation as a new hobby. Some of the kickstarters I funded this month
http://www.kickstarter.com/pro...or-everything-arduino-compatible
http://www.kickstarter.com/pro...x-arduino-in-a-tiny-single-board
http://www.kickstarter.com/pro...kit-crowdsourced-environmental-m
http://www.kickstarter.com/pro...pressive-lamp-for-creative-homes
Combining Arduino & 802.11 looks like a nice match so the Spark people have my attention the most right now, but still in the hunt for cool tech.
#Comment Re: made: 2013-07-29 17:06:31.759139+02 by: Dan Lyke
Yeah, I could do all of this stuff with just a little soldering. What I'd like is a standard I'm building on, and simple installation.
And, double yeah: There are so many kickstarters for home automation stuff right now. So. Many.
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