Smart Home Automation for Accessibility with Thomas

Phil and Rohan chat with Thomas about his journey building an accessible smart home with Home Assistant. From experimenting with bulbs and voice assistants to creating cutting-edge automations like occupancy sensors and even a ChatGPT-powered smart mirror, Thomas shares how he tailors his setup to support his lifestyle and family.Watch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha202Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:01:08 Introduction of Thomas00:01:22 Thomas' Journey into Smart Homes00:02:51 Experiments with Smart Devices00:07:17 Setting Up a Smart Home00:14:07 Challenges of Automation00:18:02 Focus on Accessibility00:19:53 Innovative Projects for Visual Impairment00:26:23 Smart Home Challenges and Solutions00:30:47 Guest's Technical Background00:31:09 Managing Home Assistant00:32:30 Voice Assistants at Home00:34:32 Voice Assistant Preferences00:35:26 Accessibility Interface00:36:20 Apple Products Integration00:39:01 Automation Challenges and Planning00:41:40 Security and Smart Locks00:49:05 Pets and Automation00:52:21 Language and Voice Recognition00:54:18 OpenAI Integration00:57:44 Favorite Automations01:02:19 Closing RemarksSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Tsvi Mostovicz, the visionary behind Home Assistant's Jewish calendar component, which he developed to enable crucial Sabbath-compliant automations. Discover his pragmatic approach to smart home harmony, seamlessly integrating Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi devices for everything from privacy-focused voice control to automated synagogue lighting.Watch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha201Special thanks to today's guest TsviTsvi's Github: https://github.com/tsviTsvi's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsvimChapters00:00:00 Introduction00:01:03 Tsvi's Journey into Home Automation00:02:32 Challenges and Evolution of Home Automation Systems00:10:00 Building Home Assistant Integrations00:16:27 Home Automation for Religious Practices00:18:43 Maintenance and Future of Integrations00:26:14 Favorite Home Automations and Troubleshooting00:32:53 Forward Simulation Concept00:35:20 Automation Interfaces and Challenges00:36:03 Dashboard Management00:38:10 Hot Water System Integration00:40:40 Smart Home Cameras and AI00:44:18 Future Plans for Smart Home00:50:39 Community and ImpactSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Home Assistant has launched their own Z-wave radio. 2025.9 lands with a new experimental home screen. Meanwhile Rohan and Phil discuss LLM Vision and some of its use casesWatch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha200Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:01:14 Home Assistant Connect ZWA200:03:01 Z-Wave Network Challenges and Migration00:16:45 Rainbird Integration and Irrigation Setup00:23:25 New Features in Home Assistant 2025.900:30:13 Introduction to Smart Home Automation00:33:17 Husqvarna Automower Features00:35:54 Reolink Doorbell Updates00:38:00 PlayStation and Unify Integrations00:39:11 Tesla and Other Cars Integration00:41:21 Weather and Bayesian Sensors00:44:10 AI Vision and Home Automation00:51:40 New Integrations: Seco, Sleep as Android00:53:56 Breaking and Backward Incompatible Changes00:55:26 Hacs Components: Person LocationSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Curious about Shelly? COO Doug Roberson explains their local control philosophy, versatile products, and commitment to empowering your Home Assistant experienceWatch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha199Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:00:54 Intro to Doug from Shelly00:03:04 Shelly's Product Offerings00:03:41 Privacy and Local Control00:08:56 Shelly's Certification and Community00:14:32 Automation and Use Cases00:25:46 Applications in Professional Spaces00:27:25 Introduction to Network Failover with Devices00:28:48 Exploring Shelly's Core Features and Automation00:32:14 Real-Life Home Automation Experiences00:33:35 Advanced Energy Management Strategies00:39:03 Innovative Use Cases for Shelly Products00:40:50 Getting into Smart Home Technology00:42:36 New Irrigation Solutions and ShelleyX00:50:50 Business and Education Initiatives00:54:25 Classroom Training on Shelly Products00:55:50 Introduction to North American Wiring00:56:38 Training and Meetups00:58:52 Product Wishlist01:05:47 Irrigation and Automation01:07:14 Community FeedbackSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join us as we talk with Scott, a licensed Electrician with a deep IT background who's been bouncing between code and conduit for years. Discover how this empty-nester crafts ingenious automations, from power monitoring with custom solutions to integrating nine pinball machinesWatch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha198Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:00:53 Guest Introduction: Scott the Sparky00:01:08 Scott's Home Automation Journey00:04:25 Challenges with DIY and PLCs00:07:35 Home Automation Concerns and Sustainability00:22:35 Scott's Water Management and Fire Protection Plans00:29:48 Introduction to LoRa and Challenges00:30:42 Powering Devices & Solar Solutions00:31:26 Communication Projects: MeshTastic00:31:41 Bushfire Resilience and Backup Solutions00:32:16 Exploring LoRa Applications00:32:41 Solar Solutions for ESP3200:35:15 Z-Wave and Zigbee Discussion00:37:16 Advantages of Z-Wave Over ZigBee00:45:43 Power Monitoring Solutions00:46:43 Smart Home Automation with Shelly00:48:14 Challenges with Exporting Solar00:53:30 Animal Automation & Security00:57:44 Introduction to AI in Home Automation00:58:07 Automating Fox Detection00:59:37 The Role of Cameras and Reolink Integration01:01:09 Exploring Advanced Automation Scenarios01:07:32 AI in Home Automation: Prospects and Concerns01:11:35 Challenges and Opportunities in AI and Automation01:15:17 Simplifying Home Automation for Life01:18:47 Community and Innovation in Home Automation01:20:17 Fun with Pinball Machines and AutomationSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Phil and Rohan sit down with Jürgen, co-founder of Nuki - a smart lock provider from Europe who has just joined the Works with Home Assistant program. Jürgen shares insights into Nuki's vision, emphasizing their commitment to user-friendly solutions that integrate seamlessly with Home Assistant. Watch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha197Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:02:04 Professional vs. DIY Automation00:03:19 Home Automation Tools00:04:42 Automation in TJ's Home00:06:52 Role of Home Assistant00:17:10 Podcasting Experience00:24:16 E-Waste and Gadgets00:24:52 Innovative Devices00:26:15 Enthusiast Discussion00:27:42 Smart Locks & Security00:28:25 Zigbee vs. Z-Wave00:32:48 Smart Home Tech Future00:42:28 Managing Automation00:46:41 Automation Introduction00:47:10 Sonos Integration00:49:30 Video & HDMI Setup00:52:52 Media Consumption00:53:59 Smart Home Automations00:54:10 Gardening Automation01:04:24 Garden Lighting01:10:05 Smart Home Tech Introduction01:10:15 Implementing Home Tech01:10:29 Design & User Experience01:10:45 Flexibility & ControlSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Home Assistant AI Tasks can now help you name and tag your automations, meanwhile the cloud strikes again thanks to Belkin and FutureHomeWatch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha196Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:00:38 Episode Overview and Topics00:01:21 Belkin Wemo Disruption00:06:00 FutureHome Bankruptcy00:07:59 Home Assistant Isometric Animated Picture Card00:10:54 Viewer Feedback and Streaming Issues00:21:37 AI Integration in Home Assistant00:29:10 Introduction to LLM Vision00:29:22 LLM Vision Features00:31:38 Voice Processing Improvements00:32:53 UI Changes in 2025.800:33:29 Matter Support Updates00:34:22 PiHole API and Data Breach00:37:53 Home Assistant Integrations00:43:04 WiFi Presence DetectionSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Phil and Rohan sit down with Jürgen, co-founder of Nuki - a smart lock provider from Europe who has just joined the Works with Home Assistant program. Jürgen shares insights into Nuki's vision, emphasizing their commitment to user-friendly solutions that integrate seamlessly with Home Assistant. Watch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha195Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:01:00 Jürgen's Background and Nuki’s Vision00:02:06 The Inception of Nuki and Product Development00:04:31 Kickstarter Success and Market Entry00:05:11 Product Differences between Europe and US00:06:40 Product Evolution and New Features00:12:29 Software and Firmware Updates00:16:29 Integration with Home Assistant00:20:30 Matter and Thread Implementation00:23:43 Parallel API Use and Customer Choice00:27:48 Entering the US Market00:28:19 Product Design Considerations00:29:10 Tariffs and Manufacturing Challenges00:30:20 Security and Privacy Concerns00:36:21 First Steps in Smart Home Development00:37:44 Design and Hardware Integration00:41:38 Sounds of Nuki00:45:24 Collaboration with Home Assistant00:52:20 Future Prospects for Smart Locks00:55:46 Introduction of NFC and Ultra-Wideband Lockdown00:56:18 Exploration of Biometric Technology00:58:04 Challenges with Current Access Technologies00:58:44 User Experience and Feature Preferences00:59:53 Discussion on Simplifying Smart Locks01:01:39 Nuki Product Overview and Availability01:03:27 Home Assistant and CollaborationSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comExpressVPNExpressVPN Creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet - so that 12 year old with Raspberry Pi can’t steal your sensitive data. Get four months extra FREE when you use our codeexpressvpn.com/hasspodcastHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join us as Paul Riley, an engineer with a background in rocket fuel systems, shares his journey into smart home automation. Discover how he leverages Home Assistant to tackle practical "little things" like a demisting mirror and even automate his boat. Paul also discusses his passion for ESPHome, exploring local AI applications, and fostering the next generation of tinkerers in electronics.Watch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha194Chapters00:00:14 Guest Introduction: Paul00:01:39 Paul's Background in Electronics00:06:05 Career Highlights00:08:41 Home Automation and Rockets00:13:57 Current Work and Tech Advancements00:18:35 Paul's Personal Home Automation Projects00:27:21 Introduction to Smart Gadgets00:28:32 Home Automation Innovations00:31:00 Gadget Enthusiast's Collection00:39:00 AI in Daily Life00:41:33 AI and Automation00:47:36 Smart Home Automations00:52:05 Challenges of Automation on a Boat00:53:15 Voltage Converter Setup00:53:46 Pros and Cons of Thermostats00:55:41 Voice Control Devices00:57:05 Cloud Systems and Security00:59:06 Getting Started: Electronics & Home AssistantSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We sit down with Mark Watt from Mark Watt Tech — the high-fiving hero of Home Assistant tutorials — to chat all things smart home, AI, and turning 3D printing into a side hustle.We dive into how AI is reshaping home automation, the evolution of the Home Assistant project, and Mark’s creative journey from software tinkerer to YouTuber… to running a 3D printing business with his wife! Whether you're deep into ESPHome or just wondering why your Tuya plug still needs the internet, there's something here for every smart home enthusiast.Watch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha193Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:00:13 Meet our Guest - Mark Watt Tech00:01:43 Creator Calls00:02:41 Getting Started with YouTube00:06:02 Home Automation Journey00:08:18 Home Assistant and Technology00:11:02 Opinions on Matter00:17:24 Favorite Home Automation Setups00:26:50 Piracy and Services00:28:18 Voice Models and Annoyance00:29:20 Self-hosting AI00:30:32 Voice Automation Challenges00:35:52 YouTube Channel and Personal Projects00:40:22 Home Automation Advice00:43:15 Innovative Home Automation Hacks00:45:21 Creating Content on YouTube00:47:00 Music Assistant and Voice Assistants00:51:50 Upcoming Plans and Projects00:53:38 Introduction and Jealousy00:53:52 Smart Home Creation00:54:09 YouTube Break and 3D Printing00:54:17 3D Printing Business00:54:44 New YouTube Channel Plans00:55:11 Waiting for New Printer00:55:34 Video Content Ideation00:57:01 Security and AI in Video Feeds00:58:02 OpenAI Image Processing00:58:53 YAML Integration Plans00:59:31 Conclusion and ThanksSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy