Home automation is becoming increasingly popular today, allowing to increase the comfort and energy efficiency of homes and offices. Raspberry Pi and Arduino boards offer affordable and flexible solutions for creating various smart devices with your own hands. We will introduce you to some DIY (Do-it-yourself) home automation ideas and provide instructions for their implementation.

Voice-Controlled Lighting with Arduino

Project Overview:
In this project, we’ll build a system where lights can be turned on and off using voice commands. It uses an Arduino UNO and an HC-05 Bluetooth module.

Required Components:

• Arduino UNO

• HC-05 Bluetooth module

• LED (or a relay and lightbulb)

• 330Ω resistor

• Jumper wires

• Android smartphone

• Android app: “Arduino Bluetooth Control”

• USB-B cable
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Wiring Instructions:

• HC-05 Bluetooth Module:

  • VCC → Arduino 5V

  • GND → Arduino GND

  • TX → Arduino RX (pin 0)

  • RX → Arduino TX (pin 1)

LED:

• Anode (longer leg) → 330Ω resistor → Arduino pin 13

• Cathode (shorter leg) → Arduino GND
  

Sample Code:

char input;
int ledPin = 13;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  if (Serial.available()) {
    input = Serial.read();
    if (input == 'X') {
      digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
    } else if (input == 'Y') {
      digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
    }
  }
}

How to Use:

1. Wire everything according to the instructions.

2. Upload the code to the Arduino board.

3. Pair the HC-05 module with your Android phone via Bluetooth.

4. Use voice commands through the app to turn the light on/off.
   

More Info:
Similar project reference:
Bluetooth Project: Voice Controlled LED

Raspberry Pi Security Camera Recording System

Project Overview:
This project creates a motion-detecting security camera system using a Raspberry Pi that can record high-definition video.

Required Components:

• Raspberry Pi (Model 3 or newer recommended)

• Raspberry Pi camera module or USB webcam

• MicroSD card (16GB or larger)

• Power supply

• Internet connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi)
  

Software:

• Raspberry Pi OS

• MotionEye (for motion detection and video recording)
  

Installation Instructions:

1. Install Raspberry Pi OS and then set up MotionEye using guides.

2. Connect the camera to the Raspberry Pi.

3. Configure MotionEye to detect motion and save video recordings.

4. Access the camera interface via a web browser.
   

More Info:
Detailed setup guide: Raspberry Pi Security Camera Network using motionEye

More ideas: