Comments on: Home Automation = Arduino + Xbee + Make Controller http://www.tekcrack.com/home-automation-arduino-xbee-make-controller.html Technology on Crack Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:36:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Adrian http://www.tekcrack.com/home-automation-arduino-xbee-make-controller.html#comment-3795 Adrian Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:54:08 +0000 http://www.tekcrack.com/?p=45#comment-3795 Hey mate, ran into this post through the wonders of google when researching arduino and blinds or curtain control. I had a similar idea of connecting a stepper motor to my roller blinds to open it up in the morning to get my ass of out of bed. It's probably the easiest thing to implement, as well. This is something I plan to do over a weekend during the next few months, when I get a minute to myself. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes, and will post instructions and stuff online. The beauty of what you're talking about is that is open source, and relatively cheap. For a lot of DIYers out there, a complete home automation solution could actually be affordable and transform the way we live. I think the biggest plus, like you said, is the savings and green footprint. Unfortunately though, it would be a pain to wire up things like shower knobs, oven knobs, etc., but things like TV would be quite simple. However making all of these features modular and integrating them with the arduino platform would be awesome, so people can pick and choose how much control they want over their home. Good luck with the project, assuming you can get yourself out of bed ;-) Hey mate, ran into this post through the wonders of google when researching arduino and blinds or curtain control. I had a similar idea of connecting a stepper motor to my roller blinds to open it up in the morning to get my ass of out of bed. It’s probably the easiest thing to implement, as well. This is something I plan to do over a weekend during the next few months, when I get a minute to myself. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes, and will post instructions and stuff online.

The beauty of what you’re talking about is that is open source, and relatively cheap. For a lot of DIYers out there, a complete home automation solution could actually be affordable and transform the way we live. I think the biggest plus, like you said, is the savings and green footprint. Unfortunately though, it would be a pain to wire up things like shower knobs, oven knobs, etc., but things like TV would be quite simple. However making all of these features modular and integrating them with the arduino platform would be awesome, so people can pick and choose how much control they want over their home.

Good luck with the project, assuming you can get yourself out of bed ;-)

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