

880: Creator of Home Assistant: Web Components, Self Hosting and Home Hacking
57 snips Feb 26, 2025
Paulus Schoutsen, the creator of Home Assistant and founder of Nabu Casa, shares insights on the future of smart homes and AI-driven automation. He discusses the significance of open-source projects, the power of self-hosting, and how Home Assistant integrates with various smart devices. Paulus reveals how new technologies enable voice control and local automation, enhancing user experience. There's also a fun dive into his adventures in 3D printing, showcasing creativity in home projects while emphasizing community support for innovation.
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Dutch Heritage
- Paulus Schoutsen, Home Assistant's creator, has Dutch heritage, just like Wes.
- This personal connection added a layer of camaraderie to their conversation.
Initial Choice of Web Components
- Paulus initially chose web components for Home Assistant because he wanted to explore something different from React.
- He was drawn to Polymer's early implementation of Material Design.
Shadow DOM's Importance
- Shadow DOM in web components enables encapsulation of CSS, which is crucial for Home Assistant's customizability.
- This allows users to experiment with CSS without affecting the core application's stability.