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This project will allow you to monitor environmental conditions in your home automation setup. Here are the steps to achieve this: Integrating DHT11 with Beetle ESP32 C3 and Home Assistant 1. Components Required Before we begin, gather the necessary components: BeetleESP32C3 development board DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor Jumper wires USB cable for programming A computer with the Arduino IDE or ESPHome installed Get PCBs for Your Projects Manufactured You must check out PCBWAY for ordering PCBs online for cheap! You get 10 good-quality PCBs manufactured and shipped to your doorstep for cheap. You will also get a discount on shipping on your first order. Upload your Gerber files onto PCBWAY to get them manufactured with good quality and quick turnaround time. PCBWay now could provide a complete product solution, from design to enclosure production. Check out their online Gerber viewer function. With reward points, you can get free stuff from their gift shop. Also, check out this useful blog on PCBWay Plugin for KiCad from here. Using this plugin, you can directly order PCBs in just one click after completing your design in KiCad. 2. Flashing ESPHome to Beetle ESP32 C3 Install ESPHome on your computer. You can follow the instructions in my previous blog. Create an ESPHome configuration file (e.g., dht11.yaml) with the following content: sensor: - platform: dht pin: 0 model: dht11 temperature: name: "Living Room Temperature" humidity: name: "Living Room Humidity" update_interval: 5 s Replace placeholders (YourWiFiSSID, YourWiFiPassword, etc.) with your actual values. Compile and upload the configuration to your Beetle ESP32 C3 using the ESPHome CLI. 3. Integrating with Home Assistant Open Home Assistant. Click on Configuration (bottom left) and go to Integrations. Click the + button and select ESPHome. Enter the IP address of your ESP32 (leave the port as 6053) and click Finish. 4. Viewing Temperature and Humidity Once integrated, Home Assistant will discover the Beetle ESP32 C3 module and create entities for temperature and humidity. You can access these entities in Home Assistant’s dashboard and display them as cards or graphs. And that’s it! You’ve successfully integrated the DHT11 sensor with your Beetle ESP32 C3 and Home Assistant. Feel free to customize and expand this project based on your needs. Happy monitoring! 🌡️💧🏠

In this blog, I will show you how to set a static IP address on Xiao ESP32 S3 Sense, a tiny but powerful microcontroller board with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Setting a static IP address can be useful if you want to access your ESP32 web server or other network services using the same IP address, even after restarting the board. What is a Static IP Address? An IP address is a unique identifier for a device on a network. It consists of four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.100. A static IP address is an IP address that does not change, unlike a dynamic IP address that is assigned by a router or a DHCP server. Advantages Easier to remember and access. More reliable and stable connection Less prone to IP conflicts or errors Disadvantages More difficult to configure and maintain. Less flexible and scalable More vulnerable to security risks Therefore, you should only use a static IP address if you have a specific need for it, and if you are aware of the potential drawbacks. Get PCBs for Your Projects Manufactured You must check out PCBWAY for ordering PCBs online for cheap! You get 10 good-quality PCBs manufactured and shipped to your doorstep for cheap. You will also get a discount on shipping on your first order. Upload your Gerber files onto PCBWAY to get them manufactured with good quality and quick turnaround time. PCBWay now could provide a complete product solution, from design to enclosure production. Check out their online Gerber viewer function. With reward points, you can get free stuff from their gift shop. Also, check out this useful blog on PCBWay Plugin for KiCad from here. Using this plugin, you can directly order PCBs in just one click after completing your design in KiCad. How to Set a Static IP Address on Xiao ESP32 S3 Sense To set a static IP address on Xiao ESP32 S3 Sense, you will need the following: A Xiao ESP32 S3 Sense board A micro-USB cable. A computer with Arduino IDE installed. A Wi-Fi network with internet access The steps are as follows: Connect the Xiao ESP32 S3 Sense board to your computer using the micro-USB cable. Open the Arduino IDE and select the correct board and port from the Tools menu. Obtain the current network settings of your ESP32 board by uploading the following sketch. Before uploading, make sure to replace the ssid and password variables with your actual Wi-Fi network credentials. #include <WiFi.h> const char* ssid = "YourNetworkName"; const char* password = "YourPassword"; void setup() { Serial.begin(115200); Serial.print("Connecting to "); Serial.println(ssid); WiFi.begin(ssid, password); while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) { delay(1000); Serial.print("."); } Serial.println(""); Serial.println("Connected..!"); Serial.print("Current ESP32 IP: "); Serial.println(WiFi.localIP()); Serial.print("Gateway (router) IP: "); Serial.println(WiFi.gatewayIP()); Serial.print("Subnet Mask: " ); Serial.println(WiFi.subnetMask()); Serial.print("Primary DNS: "); Serial.println(WiFi.dnsIP(0)); Serial.print("Secondary DNS: "); Serial.println(WiFi.dnsIP(1)); } void loop() { } System Response Open the Serial Monitor and set the baud rate to 115200. Then, press the EN button on the ESP32 board. It may take a few moments to connect to your network, after which it will print the current network settings of the ESP32 board to the serial monitor. Take note of these settings, especially the IP address, gateway, subnet mask, and DNS servers. Choose a static IP address for your ESP32 board that is within the same subnet as your router but does not conflict with any other devices on your network. For example, if your router’s IP address is 192.168.1.1 and your subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, you can choose any IP address from 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254, as long as it is not already taken by another device. You can check the IP addresses of other devices on your network using tools such as Fing or Advanced IP Scanner. Modify the previous sketch by adding the following lines before the WiFi.begin() function. Replace the staticIP, gateway, subnet, primaryDNS, and secondaryDNS variables with your chosen static IP address and the network settings you obtained in step 4. // Static IP configuration IPAddress staticIP(192, 168, 1, 100); // ESP32 static IP IPAddress gateway(192, 168, 1, 1); // IP Address of your network gateway (router) IPAddress subnet(255, 255, 255, 0); // Subnet mask IPAddress primaryDNS(192, 168, 1, 1); // Primary DNS (optional) IPAddress secondaryDNS(0, 0, 0, 0); // Secondary DNS (optional) // Configures static IP address if (!WiFi.config(staticIP, gateway, subnet, primaryDNS, secondaryDNS)) { Serial.println("STA Failed to configure"); } Upload the modified sketch to your ESP32 board and open the Serial Monitor again. You should see that your ESP32 board has successfully connected to your network using the static IP address you specified. You can now access your ESP32 web server or other network services using the static IP address. For example, if you have uploaded the ESP32 Web Server example sketch, you can open a web browser and type the static IP address in the address bar. You should see the web page that allows you to control the GPIO pins of your ESP32 board. Home Assistance with ESP32 Cam Apart from controlling the LED's we can implement this on ESP32 Cam Webserver. Now you can use the static IP in the home assistance. Add you can stream your camera footage. #include "esp_camera.h" #include <WiFi.h> // // WARNING!!! PSRAM IC required for UXGA resolution and high JPEG quality // Ensure ESP32 Wrover Module or other board with PSRAM is selected // Partial images will be transmitted if image exceeds buffer size // // You must select partition scheme from the board menu that has at least 3MB APP space. // Face Recognition is DISABLED for ESP32 and ESP32-S2, because it takes up from 15 // seconds to process single frame. Face Detection is ENABLED if PSRAM is enabled as well // =================== // Select camera model // =================== //#define CAMERA_MODEL_WROVER_KIT // Has PSRAM //#define CAMERA_MODEL_ESP_EYE // Has PSRAM //#define CAMERA_MODEL_ESP32S3_EYE // Has PSRAM //#define CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_PSRAM // Has PSRAM //#define CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_V2_PSRAM // M5Camera version B Has PSRAM //#define CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_WIDE // Has PSRAM //#define CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_ESP32CAM // No PSRAM //#define CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_UNITCAM // No PSRAM //#define CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER // Has PSRAM //#define CAMERA_MODEL_TTGO_T_JOURNAL // No PSRAM #define CAMERA_MODEL_XIAO_ESP32S3 // Has PSRAM // ** Espressif Internal Boards ** //#define CAMERA_MODEL_ESP32_CAM_BOARD //#define CAMERA_MODEL_ESP32S2_CAM_BOARD //#define CAMERA_MODEL_ESP32S3_CAM_LCD //#define CAMERA_MODEL_DFRobot_FireBeetle2_ESP32S3 // Has PSRAM //#define CAMERA_MODEL_DFRobot_Romeo_ESP32S3 // Has PSRAM #include "camera_pins.h" // =========================== // Enter your WiFi credentials // =========================== // Replace with your network credentials const char* ssid = "xxxxxxx"; const char* password = "xxxxxxx"; // Set web server port number to 80 WiFiServer server(80); // Variable to store the HTTP request String header; // Set your Static IP address IPAddress local_IP(192, 168, 1, 162); // Set your Gateway IP address IPAddress gateway(192, 168, 1, 1); IPAddress subnet(255, 255, 0, 0); IPAddress primaryDNS(8, 8, 8, 8); //optional IPAddress secondaryDNS(8, 8, 4, 4); //optional void startCameraServer(); void setupLedFlash(int pin); void setup() { Serial.begin(115200); Serial.setDebugOutput(true); Serial.println(); camera_config_t config; config.ledc_channel = LEDC_CHANNEL_0; config.ledc_timer = LEDC_TIMER_0; config.pin_d0 = Y2_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d1 = Y3_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d2 = Y4_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d3 = Y5_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d4 = Y6_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d5 = Y7_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d6 = Y8_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d7 = Y9_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_xclk = XCLK_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_pclk = PCLK_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_vsync = VSYNC_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_href = HREF_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_sccb_sda = SIOD_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_sccb_scl = SIOC_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_pwdn = PWDN_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_reset = RESET_GPIO_NUM; config.xclk_freq_hz = 20000000; config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_UXGA; config.pixel_format = PIXFORMAT_JPEG; // for streaming //config.pixel_format = PIXFORMAT_RGB565; // for face detection/recognition config.grab_mode = CAMERA_GRAB_WHEN_EMPTY; config.fb_location = CAMERA_FB_IN_PSRAM; config.jpeg_quality = 12; config.fb_count = 1; // if PSRAM IC present, init with UXGA resolution and higher JPEG quality // for larger pre-allocated frame buffer. if(config.pixel_format == PIXFORMAT_JPEG){ if(psramFound()){ config.jpeg_quality = 10; config.fb_count = 2; config.grab_mode = CAMERA_GRAB_LATEST; } else { // Limit the frame size when PSRAM is not available config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_SVGA; config.fb_location = CAMERA_FB_IN_DRAM; } } else { // Best option for face detection/recognition config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_240X240; #if CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32S3 config.fb_count = 2; #endif } #if defined(CAMERA_MODEL_ESP_EYE) pinMode(13, INPUT_PULLUP); pinMode(14, INPUT_PULLUP); #endif // camera init esp_err_t err = esp_camera_init(&config); if (err != ESP_OK) { Serial.printf("Camera init failed with error 0x%x", err); return; } sensor_t * s = esp_camera_sensor_get(); // initial sensors are flipped vertically and colors are a bit saturated if (s->id.PID == OV3660_PID) { s->set_vflip(s, 1); // flip it back s->set_brightness(s, 1); // up the brightness just a bit s->set_saturation(s, -2); // lower the saturation } // drop down frame size for higher initial frame rate if(config.pixel_format == PIXFORMAT_JPEG){ s->set_framesize(s, FRAMESIZE_QVGA); } #if defined(CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_WIDE) || defined(CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_ESP32CAM) s->set_vflip(s, 1); s->set_hmirror(s, 1); #endif #if defined(CAMERA_MODEL_ESP32S3_EYE) s->set_vflip(s, 1); #endif // Setup LED FLash if LED pin is defined in camera_pins.h #if defined(LED_GPIO_NUM) setupLedFlash(LED_GPIO_NUM); #endif // Configures static IP address if (!WiFi.config(local_IP, gateway, subnet, primaryDNS, secondaryDNS)) { Serial.println("STA Failed to configure"); } // Connect to Wi-Fi network with SSID and password Serial.print("Connecting to "); Serial.println(ssid); WiFi.begin(ssid, password); while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) { delay(500); Serial.print("."); } // Print local IP address and start web server Serial.println(""); Serial.println("WiFi connected."); Serial.println("IP address: "); Serial.println(WiFi.localIP()); startCameraServer(); Serial.print("Camera Ready! Use 'http://"); Serial.print(WiFi.localIP()); Serial.println("' to connect"); } void loop() { // Do nothing. Everything is done in another task by the web server delay(10000); } Conclusion In this blog, I have shown you how to set a static IP address on Xiao ESP32 S3 Sense, a tiny but powerful microcontroller board with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Setting a static IP address can be useful if you want to access your ESP32 web server or other network services using the same IP address, even after restarting the board. However, you should also be aware of the potential disadvantages and risks of using a static IP address, and only use it if you have a specific need for it. I hope you found this blog helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!

Streaming ESP32-CAM Video to Home Assistant The ESP32-CAM is a versatile and affordable camera module that can be used for various projects. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to set up video streaming from the ESP32-CAM to Home Assistant, allowing you to monitor your surroundings remotely. Setting Up Video Streaming Web Server Open the Arduino IDE and navigate to the ESP32 examples. 1. Select File->Examples->ESP32->Camera->CameraWebServer example in Arduino IDE. 2. Replace the codes in CameraWebServer with the code below (Note: please fill in your WiFi account and password) #include "esp_camera.h" #include <WiFi.h> // // WARNING!!! PSRAM IC required for UXGA resolution and high JPEG quality // Ensure ESP32 Wrover Module or other board with PSRAM is selected // Partial images will be transmitted if image exceeds buffer size // // You must select partition scheme from the board menu that has at least 3MB APP space. // Face Recognition is DISABLED for ESP32 and ESP32-S2, because it takes up from 15 // seconds to process single frame. Face Detection is ENABLED if PSRAM is enabled as well // =================== // Select camera model // =================== #define PWDN_GPIO_NUM -1 #define RESET_GPIO_NUM -1 #define XCLK_GPIO_NUM 45 #define SIOD_GPIO_NUM 1 #define SIOC_GPIO_NUM 2 #define Y9_GPIO_NUM 48 #define Y8_GPIO_NUM 46 #define Y7_GPIO_NUM 8 #define Y6_GPIO_NUM 7 #define Y5_GPIO_NUM 4 #define Y4_GPIO_NUM 41 #define Y3_GPIO_NUM 40 #define Y2_GPIO_NUM 39 #define VSYNC_GPIO_NUM 6 #define HREF_GPIO_NUM 42 #define PCLK_GPIO_NUM 5 #include "DFRobot_AXP313A.h" DFRobot_AXP313A axp; // =========================== // Enter your WiFi credentials // =========================== const char* ssid = "*****"; const char* password = "******"; void startCameraServer(); void setup() { Serial.begin(115200); Serial.setDebugOutput(true); Serial.println(); while(axp.begin() != 0){ Serial.println("init error"); delay(1000); } axp.enableCameraPower(axp.eOV2640);//Enable the power for camera camera_config_t config; config.ledc_channel = LEDC_CHANNEL_0; config.ledc_timer = LEDC_TIMER_0; config.pin_d0 = Y2_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d1 = Y3_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d2 = Y4_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d3 = Y5_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d4 = Y6_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d5 = Y7_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d6 = Y8_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_d7 = Y9_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_xclk = XCLK_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_pclk = PCLK_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_vsync = VSYNC_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_href = HREF_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_sscb_sda = SIOD_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_sscb_scl = SIOC_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_pwdn = PWDN_GPIO_NUM; config.pin_reset = RESET_GPIO_NUM; config.xclk_freq_hz = 20000000; config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_UXGA; config.pixel_format = PIXFORMAT_JPEG; // for streaming //config.pixel_format = PIXFORMAT_RGB565; // for face detection/recognition config.grab_mode = CAMERA_GRAB_WHEN_EMPTY; config.fb_location = CAMERA_FB_IN_PSRAM; config.jpeg_quality = 12; config.fb_count = 1; // if PSRAM IC present, init with UXGA resolution and higher JPEG quality // for larger pre-allocated frame buffer. if(config.pixel_format == PIXFORMAT_JPEG){ if(psramFound()){ config.jpeg_quality = 10; config.fb_count = 2; config.grab_mode = CAMERA_GRAB_LATEST; } else { // Limit the frame size when PSRAM is not available config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_SVGA; config.fb_location = CAMERA_FB_IN_DRAM; } } else { // Best option for face detection/recognition config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_240X240; #if CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32S3 config.fb_count = 2; #endif } #if defined(CAMERA_MODEL_ESP_EYE) pinMode(13, INPUT_PULLUP); pinMode(14, INPUT_PULLUP); #endif // camera init esp_err_t err = esp_camera_init(&config); if (err != ESP_OK) { Serial.printf("Camera init failed with error 0x%x", err); return; } sensor_t * s = esp_camera_sensor_get(); // initial sensors are flipped vertically and colors are a bit saturated if (s->id.PID == OV3660_PID) { s->set_vflip(s, 1); // flip it back s->set_brightness(s, 1); // up the brightness just a bit s->set_saturation(s, -2); // lower the saturation } // drop down frame size for higher initial frame rate if(config.pixel_format == PIXFORMAT_JPEG){ s->set_framesize(s, FRAMESIZE_QVGA); } #if defined(CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_WIDE) || defined(CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_ESP32CAM) s->set_vflip(s, 1); s->set_hmirror(s, 1); #endif #if defined(CAMERA_MODEL_ESP32S3_EYE) s->set_vflip(s, 1); #endif WiFi.begin(ssid, password); WiFi.setSleep(false); while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) { delay(500); Serial.print("."); } Serial.println(""); Serial.println("WiFi connected"); startCameraServer(); Serial.print("Camera Ready! Use 'http://"); Serial.print(WiFi.localIP()); Serial.println("' to connect"); } void loop() { // Do nothing. Everything is done in another task by the web server delay(10000); } Then upload the code to the FireBeetle ESP32 S3 board and look for the serial terminal response. Get PCBs for Your Projects Manufactured You must check out PCBWAY for ordering PCBs online for cheap! You get 10 good-quality PCBs manufactured and shipped to your doorstep for cheap. You will also get a discount on shipping on your first order. Upload your Gerber files onto PCBWAY to get them manufactured with good quality and quick turnaround time. PCBWay now could provide a complete product solution, from design to enclosure production. Check out their online Gerber viewer function. With reward points, you can get free stuff from their gift shop. Also, check out this useful blog on PCBWay Plugin for KiCad from here. Using this plugin, you can directly order PCBs in just one click after completing your design in KiCad. Setting Up Video Stream Properties Next, open up the IP address that shows in the serial terminal and look for the camera web server properties. Set up the resolution. Go with the lower one to get a high FPS. Finally, add the:81/stream in the camera IP address. Now it will directly show you the camera feed. Integrating with Home Assistant Open Home Assistant. Next, navigate to the overview and add a picture card. Enter the IP address of your ESP32-CAM following:81/stream and click Finish. And that’s it! You’ve successfully set up video streaming from the ESP32-CAM to Home Assistant. Feel free to customize and enhance this project further. Happy monitoring! 📷🏠

In this article, will see how we can integrate the Beetle ESP32 C3 with home assistance. Beetle ESP32 C3 The Beetle ESP32-C3 is based on the ESP32-C3, a RISC-V 32-bit single-core processor. Despite its tiny size (only 25×20.5 mm), it packs a punch with up to 13 IO ports broken out, making it ideal for various projects without worrying about running out of IO options. Key Features: Ultra-Small Size: The Beetle ESP32-C3 measures just 25×20.5 mm (0.98×0.81 inch), making it perfect for space-constrained projects. Built-in Lithium Battery Charging Management: Safely charge and discharge lithium-ion batteries directly on the board. No need for additional modules, to ensure application size and safety. Easy Screen Connectivity: The matching bottom plate simplifies project assembly and screen usage. Dual-Mode Communication: Supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (LE). Reduces networking complexity. Compatible with both Bluetooth Mesh and Espressif WiFi Mesh for stable communication and extended coverage. Get PCBs for Your Projects Manufactured You must check out PCBWAY for ordering PCBs online for cheap! You get 10 good-quality PCBs manufactured and shipped to your doorstep for cheap. You will also get a discount on shipping on your first order. Upload your Gerber files onto PCBWAY to get them manufactured with good quality and quick turnaround time. PCBWay now could provide a complete product solution, from design to enclosure production. Check out their online Gerber viewer function. With reward points, you can get free stuff from their gift shop. Also, check out this useful blog on PCBWay Plugin for KiCad from here. Using this plugin, you can directly order PCBs in just one click after completing your design in KiCad. Installing ESP Addon in Home Assistance First, we need to add the ESP addon to our Home Assistance system. Open the home assistance. Next, navigate to the settings and open the add-ons. Here selects ESP home and install it. Then open the web ui. ESPHome on the Beetle ESP32 C3 ESPHome is an open-source firmware that allows you to configure and manage your ESP devices easily. Open the ESP home web UI and add a new device. Then open the ESPHOME web and follow the instructions to flash ESP Home firmware. Next, connect Beetle to the PC and select then burn. Wait until it finishes. Next, enter the WiFi credentials to configure with WiFi. Then click visit device, you can see this kind of web page. Connecting Beetle ESP32 C3 to Home Assistant Once your FireBeetle ESP32 C3 is online with the ESPHome firmware, Home Assistant will automatically discover it. You can see the device under the settings menu. Next, open the ESP home and add a new device Then enter all the details, and next select the wireless option. You can see the device status as Online. Here you can edit the beetle behavior. Controlling Devices and Automation With the Beetle ESP32 C3 integrated into Home Assistant, you can: Control smart switches, lights, or other devices connected to your Beetle. Set up automation based on sensor data (e.g., turn on lights when motion is detected). Monitor temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors using Beetle sensors. With the Beetle ESP32 C3 integrated into Home Assistant, you can: Control smart switches, lights, or other devices connected to your Beetle. Set up automation based on sensor data (e.g., turn on lights when motion is detected). Here is the simple code snippet to control the onboard LED on the Beetle. switch: - platform: gpio name: "test_lights Onboard light" pin: 10 inverted: True restore_mode: RESTORE_DEFAULT_OFF Here is the complete sketch. Then install it. Next, open the devices again and select the esp home. Here you will see your device details and it will show the switch status. From here you can control the onboard LED. Troubleshooting and Tips If you encounter issues: Check your ESPHome configuration for errors. Verify that your Beetle ESP32 C3 is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. Use Home Assistant’s logs and developer tools to debug any problems. Conclusion Integrating the Beetle ESP32 C3 with Home Assistant expands your smart home capabilities. Whether you’re building custom sensors, controlling lights, or automating tasks, this combination empowers you to create a personalized and efficient home environment. Happy tinkering! 🏡🔌

Will guide you to install Home Assistance on Raspberry Pi 4. Things used in this project Hardware components Raspberry Pi 4 Model B × 1 Story To use most smart home devices, you need to download an app, create an account, and link them to an online cloud server. This makes them easy to control, but it also means that your usage data, such as when, where, or how you operate your devices, is stored online and may not be private. If you care about privacy, you can try Home Assistant, a software that lets you manage your smart IoT devices and automate your smart home locally —without any cloud connection or integration. Home Assistant: Home Assistant is a free, open-source, and lightweight home automation software that runs on top of Home Assistant Operating System. Home Assistant OS can be installed and configured on Raspberry Pi 4, which is a low-power and compact device for running Home Assistant. Get PCBs for Your Projects Manufactured You must check out PCBWAY for ordering PCBs online for cheap! You get 10 good-quality PCBs manufactured and shipped to your doorstep for cheap. You will also get a discount on shipping on your first order. Upload your Gerber files onto PCBWAY to get them manufactured with good quality and quick turnaround time. PCBWay now could provide a complete product solution, from design to enclosure production. Check out their online Gerber viewer function. With reward points, you can get free stuff from their gift shop. Step 1: Flash Home Assistant OS Download the Home Assistant OS image for your Raspberry Pi 4 64-bit using this hyperlink. https://github.com/home-assistant/operating-system/releases/download/7.3/haos_rpi4-7.3.img.xz Then download, install, and open the Raspberry Pi Imager tool to flash the Home Assistant OS image to an SD card. In the Imager tool first select the downloaded OS image. Click Storage and choose the connected Micro SD card. Click Write and wait for the process to complete. This may take a while. After the Home Assistant OS image is flashed successfully, eject the Micro SD card, and connect it to the Raspberry Pi’s card slot. Step 2: Boot Raspberry Pi To boot Home Assistant, connect the LAN cable to the Ethernet port on Raspberry Pi. Connect the power supply to turn on the Raspberry Pi. Wait for a few minutes as it boots and updates. This can take up to 10-20 minutes. Step 3: Setup Home Assistant To set up and configure Home Assistant, open the web browser, and go to http://homeassistant.local:8123. If that standard URL is down open your router admin page and find the IP address of the raspberry pi. Then type the IP address of your Raspberry Pi in the web browser, such as http://xx.xx.xx.xx:8123. Alternatively, you can use the android application for home assistance. After installing all the updates, the Home Assistant will display the following screen to create an account. Enter your name, username, and password to create your account. Ensure the password you enter is strong. Then click Create Account. Then choose your location using the Detect button, select Unit System, Currency, and click Next. If there are smart devices in your home connected to your network, Home Assistant will automatically display them for integration. You can select them and set them up or do it later. Click Finish. At this stage, the Home Assistant installation and setup is complete. Wrap-Up: Once you have Home Assistant ready, you can create rooms and add your smart home devices to the Home Assistant dashboard. You can also automate your home based on events or activities. Home Assistant offers various add-ons and integrations that you can install to enhance its features and support more smart home devices.