Can you please direct me on which Raspberry Pi should I get for noob home automation project?
Something that doesn't hurt the pocket but not too bad either (bang for buck kinda thing).
In reality, how much does it cost really (on average) to setup a Raspberry Pi and its components?
TIA!
I have Google Home Mini and from my understanding there is so much that Home Assistant can do than what Google Home can do.
Even with my Android phone and IFTTT, i think Home Assistant is the way to go; or do I have the wrong understanding?
Happy to be corrected as I am still learning :)
i.e.
I don't own a Google Home Mini, in my understanding Google Home Mini is same as Home Assistant, which is the application that runs on RP and google home. And they should be able to preform the tasks that you want, try google. :)
eg. google is your best friend, https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Xiaomi+Mi+Robot+Vac+googl…
Home Assistant, which is the application that runs on […] google home
The above statement is false.
The top result on Google for using Google Home to control Xiaomi Vacuum also requires another device running Home Assistant (https://home-assistant.io/).
With due respect, I believe you are, as we say, bullshitting.
Have you explored Tasker on your android phone before heading into Pi territory? I dont think theres a thing i cannot do with Tasker + Google Home.
Takes a little time to get up to speed but its very good.
@mooney: I haven't explore Tasker and I think I should (thanks) …
I mean the hype is there with Home Assistant (Raspberry Pi) hence I thought folks that go with this home automation project via this way must have their own reason for doing such project; at the back of my mind: THERE HAS TO BE REASON FOR THEM DOING THIS … IT GOT TO BE MORE POWERFUL THAN IFTTT & Google Home on its own … but before I start purchasing the component, I start to wonder .. what can this thing to that what I have the moment can't.
I know for one, the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vac still requires this Raspberry Pi for it to be paired with Google Home .. but apart from that, I couldn't see for any other reason .. perhaps unless you have lots of currently unsupported devices or platforms that you want to pair with Google Home and IFTTT.
Nevertheless, I will explore Tasker.. thanks Mooney.
If it's your first one, I'd go with one of these
It has full size LAN and HDMI ports so it's going to be the path of least resistance in terms of getting it all up and running.
As a bare minimum, you'll also need -
5v 2a power supply
8gb (min) microSD card
microSD card reader
Network Cable
A spare keyboard, mouse and monitor will make life a bit easier again, but you don't necessarily need it
@Gronk: can I ask you a question? Do you see the need and use of this thing over Google Home & IFTTT? for example scheduling lights can be done via supported native Apps and don't need this Hass.io stuff. And with growing number of platform and devices is supported via IFTTT, the phone (Android or IOS) and Google Home, is there still the need of this Home Assistant stuff?
That depends on if you care about:
Google/IFTTT possibly changing to require payments
Well this definitely a deal maker for the Pi
Personally, I wouldn't go the Google Home / Amazon Alexa route for home automation. I have a few different reasons but primarily it's about control - having full control over when I can use the device(s) and control over my personal data.
That attitude is also probably influenced by the fact that I can build my own devices and software, so there are plenty of options out there.
I use both a Pi3 with HASS.IO and Google Assistant with IFTTT to control my Home Automation. I purchased the Pi3 with case and memory card that Gronk linked.
It's fairly simple to setup HASS.IO following these instructions: https://home-assistant.io/getting-started/
Once that's done there is an option in the config where you can turn on SAMBA Share under the Hass.io option in the hamburger menu so that you can get to the config file on a windows box. I recommend you download notepad++ as your text editor.
I still use IFTTT with my Google Home's and my next step will be to find a way to connect Google commands straight to HASS rather than via a third party website. IFTTT can be a bit hit and miss at times with delays on some commands. I've had up to 15 minute delays before which is pretty sucky. Especially when it's a garage door toggle, because it means that the garage might open again after I've left home.
I’ve done exactly what you’re after. Only cost me around $35 for the Pi 3 Model B and it’s case. Home assistant is set up to control my yeelights and IFTTT to link my Google Home Mini with anything I want in HomeAssistant, so I can say to Google Home “Movie Time” and it sets my Yeelight “Movie” scene through HomeAssistant. This enables the more customisable home automation you mentioned, through google home. I also set up home bridge with the HomeAssistant plugin to enable HomeAssistant device control through Apple HomeKit. Took quite some hours to nut out, being quite a noob when I started as well. But it’s a great learning experience and you’ll feel greatly accomplished afterwards, I highly recommend it.
Edit: Power supply, microSD and network cable are all things I already had laying around.
so I can say to Google Home “Movie Time” and it sets my Yeelight “Movie” scene through HomeAssistant.
Can you not already do this without the Pi?
No, google home by itself can only do on/off, brightness, and colour.
Can you not do it in recipe via IFTTT?
If say the phrase "Movie Time" then trigger Yeelight App to do "Movie" scene?
@tempura: I’ve just checked IFTTT, turns out you can. Though in my case, where I want dynamic scenes such as strobe, or colour cycle, IFTTT can’t do that, because the Yeelight app only lets you create static scenes. I suppose if you just wanted to change a light to a saved colour IFTTT would be fine. I’ve also found HA scenes to be useful as it allows you to set the state of multiple devices (such as lights, door lock, air conditioner) in one scene
If you had to ask the question about what type of Pi to buy, then I think you might be best not using google home, as you will need to use linux os. You can always install linux onto a usb boot drive and try it on your pc. if that is too complicated then i think you may struggle to setup home assistant (and it will be very time consusming), and you can probably do most things with tasker / ifft / google assistant.
some of the advantage of using something like home assistant would be mqtt protocol support and integrating xiaomi / aqara / mi home gear.
home automation? best option would be google home or amazon echo.
Raspberry Pi is good if its your hobby project.
Or you can following something like this https://becominghuman.ai/turn-your-raspberry-pi-into-homemad…