[Joseph] wrote in to share this home automation system he’s working on as a college project. He calls it the Room Engine and the house-side of the hardware is built on top of the circuit you see here. This is the most basic part of the REBoard, which is meant to connect to a computer uses RS232 or USB, and in turn use a set of relays to switch mains voltage devices.
You can follow the bread crumb on his webpage to get a broader video of the system. The interface is designed to use two parts. One is a voice recognition system that is supported by the computer. The other is an iOS interface that includes login credentials and a button-based control system. The video after the break shows off the smart phone portion of the controller. We think he’s done a good job of integrating a few appliances without the need for commercial products such as X10 modules.
If you’re just interested in switching a few things without cord’s reach of each other this can get it done, and offers scheduling functionality. It would also be pretty easy to set this up with a WiFi module and do away with the PC.
mhm , if you just instead of controlling relays , hot-wire to a remote for wireless outlets ?
you have wire-less control no clutter – action range is a bit lower but hey !. usb-micro controller on Open-wrt Router – hey presto autonomous system. that if recieves a client with a certain MAC adress connects to the WiFi enables certain lights or doors for that matter.
Possibilities are endless.
I’ve been working on something like this: atmega8, brennenstuhl remote sockets, CA-42 cable for NOKIA (for USB to USART), Raspberry pi (as server), jQtouch web app as interface (desktop, iOS and Android).
I’ll be putting together a guide on my new site soon.
essentially building on this:
http://befinitiv.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/how-to-add-usb-to-radio-controlled-sockets/