ᐅ Which smart home system is best for our new build?

"Stick to what you know," as the saying goes... And that's what I say – after 25 years as a software developer (no formal degree, sorry), hardware tinkerer, and with extensive knowledge in IT, smart home, IoT, and network technology.

If you, @Roookie, are a Master of Science in IT, I don’t understand why you’re dealing with such a toy instead of using a truly IT-based smart home system (OpenHAB, MQTT broker).

Soon, I’ll share some updates on our current progress...

Personally, I understand users who want to stick with “proven legacy systems.” But would Tesla be where it is today if it had only converted traditional cars instead of developing a completely new computer-based vehicle platform? You can see how far conventional car manufacturers have come with their vision 😳 So, home automation and smart home under one roof, one app, expert system for better usability, and so on...

I have no idea how KNX works or what financial effort it would involve: Here’s my morning scene: All external blinds are down, tilted about 55° (protected from view but still allowing light in), bedroom and bathroom lights come on (well, the lighting part is easy).

“Our” system now “knows” where the external blinds are (this is a bit tricky because the blinds move down faster than up; for example, the first half down runs at a different speed than the second half). Since we control these through logic -> Arduinos > industrial relays, we can make them “dance” as we like.

Currently, we are in the phase where we’re getting feedback from electricians regarding everyday practicality and implementation. OpenHAB will soon be dropped; everything will then run in a self-developed app, with cloud updates and so on under development...

Keyword “Smart Home for Everyone” for those interested.

i_b_n_a_n schrieb:

OpenHAB will soon be discontinued; everything will then run in a custom-developed app, with updates from the cloud, etc., currently in development...

Keyword "SmartHome for Everyone" for those interested

Interesting – are there any details available?

Unfortunately, we currently have limited developer capacity available, but I will gladly share more details here soon:
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/offenes-smarthome-system-prototyp-fuer-jedermann.36275/
My apartment serves as a testing ground, but I am not the programmer ;-) however, I am one of the system’s co-initiators.

TE is asking which smart home system people use. I have this Rademacher system. Everyone can choose whatever they prefer.

Roookie schrieb:

With KNX, you need a programmer to reconfigure everything if you want to change something, for whatever reason.

So you have little to no experience with the system and have apparently only heard about it.

This is actually the biggest issue with IT professionals in building automation. Most fail to recognize that this has nothing to do with IT—it’s two completely different fields, although there are overlaps.

1. KNX does not involve programming in the traditional sense but parametric configuration. In other words, you simply navigate menus, click buttons, or enter values into fields. You could program, but only if you move beyond the KNX environment into the IT realm such as TCP/IP, HTTP, IoT, etc., for example, to set up servers. However, this is not necessary because KNX already includes most functions needed for home automation, all of which work without those servers or anything additional.

2. To configure and set up the system, you just need a regular electrician—KNX was designed so that anyone with a standard 3.5-year electrical training can handle it, whether in a warehouse, office, or airport.

3. KNX also supports real-time changes. I usually do it from my sofa, whether on my own system or remotely for a client in a neighboring country. Of course, changes can also be made directly on the display in the living room, hallway, etc.

Rademacher is certainly acceptable and better than no home automation at all. But frankly, it’s a toy or entry-level system for the ambitious amateur.