Linux Home Automation

Home Automation is something I'm looking seriously at in our new house.

Many people have seen those sci-fci movies where virtual holographic  screens appear with a  humanoid  taking instructions verbally.. and then turn evil.

Unfortunately Home Automation isn't about this. 

What home automation is about automating simple repetitive tasks that makes your living experience better for it.

It may be items like:

• Adjusting the room temperature 15 minutes before you arrive home, so you don't come home to a cold/hot house.  Normally known as HVAC or more commonly referred to as climate control.
  
• Opening the garage door, disabling the alarm and unlocking an internal door so you can come in quickly (handy on a cold and wet night!)
• Automating items like blinds (open/close) and lights (on/off/dim) at particular times (very handy when away on leave).
• Having your security system SMS you when an alert triggers, and allow you to respond to it via SMS.  The system may then take corrective action.
  
• Hitting the 'watch movie' button on a remote, having the TV, surround sound and DVD player all turn on and select the right channel, whilst setting mood lighting and closing the curtains.
• Integrating a CCTV into a sensor at your front door, and recording someone as they walk up and press your front door bell.
  An internal security station can then let you view/talk to the individual and even unlock the door and ask them to enter (if permitted).
• Monitor a baby in it's cot/outside swimming pool via CCTV and display the video/audio whilst you are in another room.
  

Whilst none of these things are not must have items, but they do enhance your quality of lifestyle and simplify an often overly busy modern life.

Home Automation is not new.  In fact it's been around since the early 70's but has traditionally been reserved for those with loads of money to spare (anywhere from $100k - $20k).  

Historically these systems have been quite closed and proprietary; however with the adoption of Linux Home Automation solutions it's become the ultimate hacker play ground!

Standards in the area has also seen a wider adoption of various devices that can be chained to provide you with your desired system, without the lock-in that original systems provided.

Whilst traditionally with systems like C-BUS you were required to run a separate isolated cabling loop throughout the area being controlled, many more solutions now use existing IP networks and the electrical outlets in your use.

These days, a little research, some clever intergrated controllers, Linux and a few opensource applications can tie it all together for a couple of thousand dollars.  Like anything, you can elect how much you do, and this will ultimately determine the pricing.

As we're building, it's a great time to investigate all this and look at implementing such a system.

Over the next few weeks and several posts, I'll be sharing my initial research on the topic over the past 12 months.
From them you will see what can be achieved with a little bit of creative thinking, your favourite Linux distribution and a bit of spare time.

If all goes to plan, I'll be implementing this in the new house (if the finances allow), and I'll take you through the journey from design, configuration, installation and operation.