Digital & Tech
Home Automation
It has to just work: nobody should debug a light switch
The common wrong turn is automating for its own sake and producing a house only you can operate. The test is simple: everyone else should use it without instruction, and the lights should still work when the network is down. Start with a couple of plugs and bulbs. Prefer things that run locally rather than depending on a cloud.
First stepBuy one smart plug that works locally, set one schedule, and check that others at home can use it untaught and that it still switches with the internet down.
Barriers
Cost to start
Under $50
Going deep → $2k–10k
Alone or with people
On your own
Effort
Light
Without a teacher?
Self-taught
One session takes
1–2 hours
Where
At home
Why people take it up
Related guides
Keeping the spending in checkStarts at Under $50, going deep runs $2k–10kSkills
BuildsBasic circuits