Apple HomeKit and Smart Devices with Arduino  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Karamel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2018, 11:14:12 am
content: Hi,I am using Apple devices, computer and phone. Yesterday, I have seen some videos about HomeKit in YouTube. They were however only about opening-closing lights and curtains.My first question is that,- Is there any other application which can use with HomeKit, for smart home?Second question,- I opened my HomeKit app (iOS 11.4) and It asks QR code for registration from kit device. How can I implement this device with ESP8826? Should I write any app for iOS? Could you give some details me please?Best Regards,K.

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2018, 05:07:25 pm
content: Quote from: Karamel on June 11, 2018, 11:14:12 amStarthere, and be aware that this won't tell you how to develop for specific device hardware.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2018, 06:29:10 pm
content: not really possible.for commercial stuff you need the apple cryptoprocessor. cant get your hands on that unless you pay for mfi and go through wifi or ble testingFor hobby you can do without that and apple alllows that. problem is you need to implement Bonjour and some other stuff on your device. Apple has source for that , but it requires an Rtos like VxWorks... so even there it will cost you $$$$...I beleive there is a way using a raspberry pi as intermediate 'broker'. the rpi implements Bonjour and some opther stuff and translates messages to your ecosystem . But that is not a full standalone implementation as you need an Rpi and need to muck with that stuff too.

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2018, 08:44:14 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on June 11, 2018, 06:29:10 pmThe crypto processor is no longer a requirement. You can build HomeKit things easily with fx. Nordic RF processors. (Reference :https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/08/04/apple_drops_homekit_chip_requirement/)

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2018, 09:16:20 pm
content: homekit with esp8266 :http://www.instructables.com/id/ESP8266-TV-Remote-for-Homekit/also here :https://github.com/HomeACcessoryKid/ESP8266-HomeKit

author: Karamel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2018, 09:56:08 pm
content: - Why should I need Rasp. Pi?- Isn't there any solution using only ESP32 and some sensors? (with programming ESP32)

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2018, 12:36:48 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on June 11, 2018, 09:16:20 pmthat is using a Rpi as the broker between homekit and the esp8266,Running bare metal the esp8266 is underpowered. the esp32 should work better.Last time i looked at it i gave up. too complicated to get running.There are examples avaialable but to get it to a product is neigh undoable. you need to become a registerd MfI dev , pay through the nose, get certified ...Somebody should make a module that is pre-certed and exposes a UART. Problem would be solved.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2018, 12:53:17 pm
content: I thought cypress could do something with their psoc, they already did for the iOS devices.

author: Karamel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2018, 06:34:54 pm
content: I just want to learn which hardware I should use? I mean minimum requirements. There are some links in internet, they claims that did only ESP32 or ESP88 chip, some other examples claim also rasp. pi. requirement.I must learn first, Can I implement it only using ESP chips? or not? I just want to do led on-off application with HomeKit.

author: Karamel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2018, 07:52:22 pm
content: I am still researching about HomeKit, however, I didn't unfortunately understand how it works.Because of these,For example, Some light applications, such as Philips, require hub (I guess, it is rasp. pi in our case) some light applications don't require anything.What does the hub do really? why do we need it?Should I write any iOS application for HomeKit? or not?Actually, it's so complicated for Apple. Because, Apple is famous with simplicity. I can't understand what I need if I buy finished products directly from Amazon or Apple's web site.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2018, 06:09:14 am
content: you can simply build your own home domotic network, without any homekit inside.you know how to program an esp8266, you dont need any apple or google server up & running to switch a light on or off in your house ?just compare the $3 of the esp8266 module, and the $50 to $100 for any commercial homekit switch ...stay creative...

author: Karamel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2018, 08:27:34 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on June 15, 2018, 06:09:14 am- Yes I can but, I should enter it with static IP address. Isn't it complicated for every time and bad?- iOS developing programs (not installed from App Store) have time limit. So, I can't write any program for it (firebase based iOS program would be nice...)HomeKit combined with OS. Logically, It's better than these kind of solutions. However, before, I need to learn how it works.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2018, 09:00:36 pm
content: there is nothing bad in using a static IP address. static addresses are for static devices. and you can use another subnet for all your home devices.if you ever go to 50 devices in your home, it will be already a big home network.and for the program, this can only be a simple web page generated from the esp8266. so you need ... safari !even if you change your mind and want to go android instead of iOS one day, there is nothing to change.but if you choose homekit, you're bound forever with it !

author: Karamel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2018, 06:38:33 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on June 15, 2018, 09:00:36 pmI am respectful for your idea and view. I used to Android for 5 years and 15 years for windows. I am now using iOS for 2 years and Mac for more than one year.And here are my opinions,I haven't use computer for 15 years and haven't use smartphone for 5 years. You can use Android or static ip. I respect you but it is not for me.I will try to solve this problem for HomeKit.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2018, 08:28:51 pm
content: just for the records, I'm using MacOS since the beginning in the 1980's. using windows and android occasionaly .and I don't want to be bound to a proprietary technology if I can make the same using open source code.I still like macos, but I find Apple not being very innovative since Steve Jobs' death.their only advance is in their methods to lock their customers to their technologies ...just wanted to tell you that homekit is not the only solution to remote control of lights. others made working things before !your first view of homekit found it very complicated, and I assure you're right !in some years, dev tool companies will make easier tools to build things around homekit, but now it's new, and complicated.