[Article] CustomCTRL: An Open Source Home Automation Hardware Controller

[electron]

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CustomCTRL is an Arduino based open source home automation hardware controller, supporting some of the more popular home automation protocols. The controller will be accessible via an internet based server (or Cloud as many people like to call this now), so there is no need to deal with portforwarding and/or opening your firewall, exposing your network. It will also support most smartphone platforms, including iPhone and Android. Everything can be customized, and you can even write your own apps if you aren't happy with the existing offerings. The controller supports 4 major interfaces:

• Z-Wave (via a serial interface)
• ZigBee (onboard XB24 Series 2)
• IR (onboard IR receiver, jack for IR emitters)
• X10/INSTEON (via SmartHome Dual Band PowerLinc Modem)

The project was recently posted on Kickstarter with the goal of raising enough money ($33,000) to start production. Currently they are at $3,943, has 34 backers, and have 47 days to go. If there are a lot of questions, I can probably arrange a Q&A session with the creator. See video and press release below for more info.
 


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