Home automation with a Raspberry Pi
Home Director
© Lead Image ©donatas1205, 123RF.com
Control devices from different manufacturers of home automation devices from a single interface by combining free software and a Raspberry Pi.
Smart homes with many computer-controlled devices are in vogue, with increasing numbers of manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon. Smart light bulbs and individually controllable sockets are no longer the only items available: Air conditioners, washing machines, ovens, and multimedia and alarm systems can also be integrated through smart home apps.
Not all smart homes are created equal: Different specifications (e.g., the Zigbee and Z-Wave standards) render many components from different manufacturers incompatible. Ultimately, you can end up juggling several corresponding matching control devices and apps for the individual end devices.
However, armed with just a Raspberry Pi and ioBroker home automation software [1], you can use components from different manufacturers intelligently, while bundling a wide variety of standards – including legacy WiFi – in a single device. You no longer need several different apps on your smartphone to control each component, and you don't need a high-powered, permanently running, conventional PC to control the devices.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.