Smarthome System

This project is a personal expansion to my Internet of Things class Final Project at Stevens.

Background

I love to make my home smarter any chance that I get. However, I have really grown tired of how segregated all of the smart home devices are in my house. Every different smart item needs its own smart bridge plugged into the router. I understand that standards have not been established across these companies yet, but I want to solve this problem now. This is where Homebridge comes into the equation. It is known as the smart home for the impatient.

Implementation

I first follow the instructions on the Homebridge GitHub.

WARNING doing this essentially takes over your Raspberry Pi OS, so you want to be sure before you start this process. Make sure Node.js is installed before attempting this.

• To turn any Raspberry Pi into a Homebridge, all it takes is running one simple command:

sudo npm install -g --unsafe-perm homebridge

• Then run the program with:

homebridge

• This will bring up the basic Homebridge GUI

The Homebridge GUI assists the user with a series of steps setting up the Raspberry Pi as a local server. The user is given a local IP address, which can be used in a web browser to access Homebridge from any computer in the house. The user also is allowed to make Homebridge start upon startup of the Raspberry Pi, which I enabled. I will not show detailed screenshots of my personal interface for my own privacy. Instead, many of the images shown are stock images of the interface.

Native Homekit Supported Devices

• Ikea TRADFRI Smart Lights - with their bridge

• Sensei Smart Thermostat - works out of box

• LG ThinQ Smart TV - native support added with software update

Homebridge Plugin Easily Supported Devices

• Honeywell Totalconnect Alarm - Plugin works with a web login.

• myQ Garage Door Opener - Plugin works with a web login. This functions with a hardware bridge, and a web-connected door opener.

• Ring Integration - The ring API for Homebridge is nothing less than magic. As long as you can get a Ring developer API key, your Homebridge can pass every video stream from Ring Cameras to Homekit. I use this to receive 3 video streams and it works fine most of the time.

Difficult to Connect Devices

• Generac Generator - You have to call tech support to receive access to your generator if the old owner of the house was logged in. However, you can not do much with this login without an API key. Unfortunately API for developer keys no longer exists, so I have to use the individual app to view device status. Someone is working on developing a workaround to this.

• Schlage Connect Z-Wave Door Lock - Tried to use a Wink2 API, but the developer keys also no longer exist. I was forced to use a complicated workaround for this system by delving into the world of ZWave

ZWave Connection for Schlage Lock

• Aeotec Z-Stick Gen 5 - This hardware allows my Raspberry Pi to send ZWave signals

• ZWaveJS2MQTT - This software is built off SmartThings API, for controlling ZWave Devices. I have this running in parallel with Homebridge on the same Raspberry Pi. At the moment this API allows me to control the door, but I still have not connected to Homebridge

  • Currently attempting to use NodeRED as a middleman to connect ZWaveJS2MQTT to Homebridge