Screaming in the Cloud Creating the Foundation for a New Home Assistant with Paulus Schoutsen
Dec 17, 2024
In this discussion, Paulus Schoutsen, the mastermind behind Home Assistant and president of the Open Home Foundation, shares insights on creating a user-centric smart home platform focused on privacy and customization. He reflects on the evolution from a simple Python script to a vibrant community of 1.6 million users. Paulus highlights how avoiding corporate investors allows for independence and robust user control. He also emphasizes the significance of open standards and community engagement in transforming home automation into a more accessible and sustainable solution.
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Haunted Home
- Corey Quinn's home became increasingly automated thanks to Home Assistant.
- His wife jokingly noticed the house felt "haunted" due to the automated changes.
Home Assistant's Origin
- Paulus Schoutsen created Home Assistant after writing a Python script to control Philips Hue lights 11 years ago.
- He needed presence detection because the lights turned on even when he wasn't home.
WeMo Woes
- Corey Quinn had to replace WeMo light switches due to discontinued support and security issues.
- He then discovered Home Assistant and appreciates its stability and consistent updates.