Our homes are continuing to become more connected than ever, with computer technology now an integral part of our daily lives. Greater connectivity brings greater possibilities, and a Raspberry Pi 4 is a small single-board computer that can help you make the most of those opportunities. Designed to encourage interest in computing amid widespread indifference, the Raspberry Pi is in its fourth generation and offers users the chance to create rather than simply consume. Here are some of the ways you could improve your home by using a Raspberry Pi.
Build a media center
Smart TVs offer plenty of options for viewing. If you don’t have one, though, a Raspberry Pi is a cheap option to make up for the shortfall. By downloading Kodi and connecting the Pi to your TV you can play any media you have stored on a hard drive or network-attached storage. Streaming is still achievable too, as you can get a plugin to play YouTube videos. You could also build a multi-room sound system at a reduced price. All you need is the Pi Musicbox software, a wireless streamer, and enough wireless receivers to cover the rooms you want the music to play in.
Build an AI assistant
Forget Alexa and Siri, you can make your own voice assistant with a Raspberry Pi. An AIY Voice Kit from Google enables you to develop your own natural language processor, allowing you to issue voice commands and ask questions. Through the Google Cloud Speech-to-Text service your voice commands will be converted into text that can activate actions built into your code.
Home Automation
Some of the actions you could automate could be linked to subscription services like Nest Thermostat or smart light bulbs. You can enhance the capabilities of those appliances by setting them up with rules that can be activated by your personally built AI assistant. Get a motion sensor and use Python API to tell your smart light bulbs to turn on when you enter a room or configure your Nest to only turn the heating on when a certain number of people are home. You can do that by writing some code to check the number of phones connected to your wireless network, with Nest being activated when your required number is hit.
A home camera
Whether you want to put up some CCTV around your property or just want a simple camera to keep an eye on a baby or pet, Raspberry Pi can help you out. The camera module is an accessory that provides high-definition photos and videos at a low price. Just remember that if you want to place your camera outside you’ll need to get waterproof housing so no damage is done to your system.
