Arduino Project - Home Automation .....HELPPP

Hi,

Possibly wireless is the easiest/safest method for communication to the end device (lights in your example), and that entails something like WiFi, BLE or proprietary wireless.

Something like this:

Lights<--wireless<---Controller<---wireless<---user interface

If you search on the Internet for home automation with Arduino, you'll likely come across hundreds/thousands of hits, all using relays with Arduino, i.e. something like this:

Lights<--relay<---Controller<---wireless<---user interface

That's not ideal for a beginner, because it entails making connections into mains power circuits.

My suggestion (if you wish to take it) is to look for off-the-shelf devices that will connect to the lighting or other things you wish to control, and get someone qualified to install it, if it needs physical wiring into the mains.

Then you're free to control it wirelessly. I don't know which country you're in, but you'll have to do country-specific searches for wireless home automation devices, because there is country-specific legislation concerning mains connections, and wireless frequencies.

Here's a UK example: Home Automation in the UK Simplified, Part 1: Energenie MiHome

EDIT: I just saw 14rhb post, and the principle is the same, i.e. make each controlled device wireless. I also agree, you'll probably find you'll want to migrate off Arduino for the controller.

thanks I will look into it could you please provide an example of what this might look like (image or link to a project)

thanks big help <3

The Most simplest and easy way to do it is using a Existing Service like offered by Google or Amazon.

1.    [Optional This will make things Voice Controlled] Get yourself Google Home mini or Google Home or Amazon Alexa whichever you feel is cheep 

2.     Buy some Sonoff BASIC Modules They are like 4-5$ and can handle any appliance up to 10A. Get advance Sonoff Modules for More Amp requirements. [B.T.W they are ESP8266 based so you can get the toolchain installed and reprogram them using Arduino IDE][NOTE : You may need a USB to UART to Program these Modules]

3.     Follow this tutorial : It will tell you how to connect the modules to WiFi, and setting up devices on an APP.

4.     Enjoy You can see this if you want them to be voice enabled . Google Home OR Amazon Alexa

NOW if you want to start from scratch and reinvent the wheels; Well Thats gonna take a hell more time But you will definitely learn a heck lot Cool So, Follow this Link or This Link

Hope this helps, You can also go through My Youtube channel and please do subscribe  

Regards,

GS Gill

thanks I am looking for the longer reinvent the wheel path ....I am trying to control everything from my very own AI assistant. I now know that alexa and G home are run from servers but the plan is to create my own server (in time) for now I might just create this locally ......pitch the idea and raise funding for the development of a better and cheaper version

thanks I am looking for the longer reinvent the wheel path ....I am trying to control everything from my very own AI assistant. I now know that alexa and G home are run from servers but the plan is to create my own server (in time) for now I might just create this locally ......pitch the idea and raise funding for the development of a better and cheaper version