automation News - Page 44 of 63 - CNX Software

February 16, 2018 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

Wibeee Power Monitoring Device Plugs right into Your Home’s Circuit Breaker Box

We’ve covered several smart plugs or switches capable of monitoring electricity consumption and displaying results right in a smarphone app, or computer’s web browser with products such as Sonoff S31 or Broadlink SP2 WiFi smart sockets, or Sonoff POW switch. Those work for individual plugs, but if you want to cover your full house, you’d need several of those, and in some case it may not be so convenient as no plugs may be available for example for lights or air conditioner. Smilics Technologies has come up with an easier method, although less granular, thanks to their WIBEEE device that clips to your fuse / circuit breaker box using DINZERO “clip-on” technology, and available in single and three phase models. Main features: Voltage Range – 85 to 265 V AC @ 50 ~ 60 Hz with 2% accuracy + variation in range of use depending on temperature, humidity, etc… Current […]

February 13, 2018 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

BASpi I/O is a Raspberry Pi HAT Expansion Board for Building Automation (BACNet)

BACNet is a data communication protocol for Building Automation and Control Networks that has been developed, supported and maintained by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Standing Standard Project Committee since 1987, and used as building automation standard in the US, Europe, and more than 30 other countries. It’s used for HVACs, lightings, elevators, fire safety, and other systems used in buildings. It’s also known as ISO 16484-6 standard. I had never heard of it, but this afternoon, I’ve come across Contemporary Controls BASPi I/O, a Raspberry Pi add-on specifically designed for BACNet, and providing 12 physical I/O points including 6 Universal Inputs and 6 Relay Outputs. BASPi I/O specifications and features: BACnet/IP Server – 12 physical points and 24 virtual points BACnet/IP over Ethernet or Wi-Fi Resident Sedona Virtual Machine (SVM) Input/Output — 12-points of physical I/O 6x configurable Universal Inputs: Analog Input, Binary Input, Resistance, […]

January 26, 2018 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 16 Comments

AAEON RICO-3399 Pico-ITX Board is Powered by Rockchip RK3399 / OP1 Processor

We now have a fair amount of boards powered by Rockchip RK3399 hexa-core processor with Firefly-RK3399, Rockchip Sapphire, VideoStrong VS-RD-RK3399, the upcoming 96boards compliant Rock960, among others. But AFAIK, none of those are designed to fit in a standard enclosure. AAEON will soon change that with an update of their RICO-3288 pico-ITX board, called RICO-RK3399 featuring Rockchip OP1/RK3399 processor combined with 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC flash, HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet and more. AAEON RICO-3399 specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3399 (OP1) hexa-core processor with two Cortex A72 cores up to 1.8 GHz, four Cortex A53 cores, and an Arm Mali-T860MP4 GPU System Memory – 2GB LPDDR3 Storage – 16GB eMMC flash, micro SD card slot Video Output / Display HDMI 2.0 port up to 4K UHD @ 60Hz eDP connector for LCD display up to 4K UHD @ 60 Hz I2C/USB header for touch panel Audio – Via HDMI, 2.5W (by 4Ω) speaker/ […]

January 22, 2018March 13, 2020 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 13 Comments

Xiaomi Sherlock M1 Allows You to Unlock Your Door with Your Smartphone

Xiaomi has recently launched a new product from their MiJia (My Home) family with Sherlock M1 smart lock, which you can stick to the inside part of your security lock, insert the key, and then control it with your smartphone using Xiaomi app. Sherlock M1 key features and specifications: Compatible with both right and left opening doors Connectivity – Bluetooth 4.0 LE USB – 1x micro USB port for charging Battery – Rechargeable 3800mAh battery Dimensions – 12.80 x 6.20 x 7.35 cm Weight – 430 grams The lock ships with some specification / user guide? in English. The video below shows a bit more about the installation steps. The main benefit of such smart lock is that you can share virtual keys with other people living in the household, so no more lost keys. Of course, you’d have to trust this cannot be easily hacked. This “user manual” provides […]

January 21, 2018June 18, 2018 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Getting Started with ANAVI Light pHat Starter Kit with RGB LED Strip, Light Sensor

ANAVI Light pHAT is an expansion board best suited for Raspberry Pi Zero (W/WH) boards, but also working with any other Raspberry Pi boards with a 40-pin header, that can control a 12V RGB LED strip and sensors. The project’s crowdfunding has just been successfully completed on CrowdSupply with 82 pledges, but you can still pre-order the board or kits for $25 and up. The developer – Leon ANAVI – had sent me a starter kit a little while ago, and this week-end I had time to test the basic functionalities of the board. The package includes the pHAT board itself, a one meter RGB LED strip, an I2C sensor, and some stickers. The sensor is based on BH1750 ambient light intensity sensor. The light pHAT boards include a 4-pin 12V/RGB blue terminal, EEPROM, three I2C connecter, a 3.3V UART connector to access the serial console for debugging / running […]

December 29, 2017 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Google Assistant SDK Now Supports Device Actions, More Languages (French, German, Japanese)

Back in May 2017, Google released the Assistant SDK that worked on Raspberry Pi 3, and other ARM boards, essentially transforming low cost development boards into Google Home equivalent. The SDK became more popular once Google’s AIY Voice Kit was launched since it offered an easy and inexpensive way to use it with Raspberry Pi 3 board. Since all you need was a Linux board with an Internet connection, a microphone, and speaker, I tried Google Assistant SDK on one of the cheapest platform available: Orange Pi Zero Set 6 Kit including Orange Pi Zero board, but also an expansion board with built-in microphone and audio output jack, and a cute little case. I added my own pair of speakers, micro SD card, and USB power supply, and after setting up the software, I was able ask question, and get answers with female voice using the demo app. At the […]

December 27, 2017December 29, 2017 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 12 Comments

$17 Sonoff S31 Wireless Smart Socket Includes Energy Monitoring Function

ITEAD Studio has just launched another Sonoff Smart Home product with Sonoff S31 WiFi smart socket with energy monitoring. Just like Sonoff switches, light bulbs, and their other products, the device can be controlled using eWelink app for Android or iOS, and supports integration with Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. It should be noted that the company only provide a US plug version for now, and so far, there’s no Wiki link, so while it’s likely based on ESP8266 or ESP8285 like their other Sonoff devices, it may not be designed to be easily hackable, although I suspect the electronics may be similar to Sonoff POW switch (TBC). Sonoff S31 hardware specifications listed by ITEAD: Voltage Input – 90~264V AC, 50/60HZ Max. Current – 16A Max. Power – 4200W (Note package above reads max load: 220V/10A) Gang – 1x US type with ground Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n WiFi with support […]

December 10, 2017 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 15 Comments

Anavi Light pHAT Adds RGB Light Strip Support to Raspberry Pi Boards (Crowdfunding)

He works as a software engineer for his main job, but Leon ANAVI is apparently enjoying his hobby of designing open source hardware, as after RabbitMax Flex home automation HAT, and ANAVI Infrared pHAT with IR transmitter and receiver, he has come up with as third project: Anavi Light pHat, an add-on board for Raspberry Pi 3/Zero (W) that adds support for RGB light strips. Light pHAT specifications: Compatible with 40-pin Raspberry Pi header EEPROM with board manufacturer information and a device tree fragment Terminal block for a 12V RGB LED strip 3x 4-pin I2C headers for sensor modules 1x 3-pin header for PIR motion sensor 1x 4-pin UART header for debugging Dimensions – pHAT form factor You first need to connect the pHAT to your board, and then LED strip, and you can then control the lights using Home Assistant open source home automation platform, with the strip integrated […]