9-19-2013 5:30PM to 11PM - “Home Blinds Automation”

Home Automation Group of Northern Virginia

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/6/c/a/600_278258602.jpeg 9-19-2013 5:30PM to 11PM - “Home Blinds Automation”

This week the Home Automation Group will be working on the design
of the remote controlled blinds for homes. Last week our members
brought small blinds used in most homes for us to experiment on, and
we talked about the design using Arduino, Raspberry pi, Beaglebone
black, or a more advanced custom circuitry design.

We still have many other projects we can build with the group as
listed below. Feel free to stop by the meeting and talk about
something you would like the group to work on. At this time, this is
primarily a group for developers and inventors. We will have
lectures on home automation for the general public at a later time.

More members for the project to build the automated blinds!
Software developers to build the Iphone and Android apps to run the
blinds remotely, microcontroller design and programming, CAD
operators to 3D print the enclosures, and anyone who can help! This
is also a great time to join the group to be part of a possible of
any future croudfunded kickstarter.com project, but you need to show
up and join the group!

We are partnering with the local makerspace called “ReverseSpace”
as a place to meet and to use their resources to build the systems.
These resources include, digital soldering machines, desktop 3D
printers (Makerbot), Corporate 3D printers (3D Systems), Arduino and
Raspberry pi, scientific equipment needed in the production of
circuit boards, and hundreds of free electronic parts available.

Using ReverseSpace's 3D printer selection, we have the ability
not only to 3D print enclosures but also the ability to print gears
and small parts. The space's ultra high resolution Form1 Laser 3D
printer can be used to print the gears, and 3D System's full color 3D
printer can be used to make the enclosure.

5:30pm to 6:30pm – time for members to show up for the meeting.

6:30pm to 7:30pm – A hour to meet and talk about the meeting.
This can continue if needed until the Makerspace closes at 11PM.

It is also important to note that this group is for adults. If
you are a parent of a child, you are welcome to attend the meeting
but you must be with your child at all times.

Equipment and donations available to be used by the Home
Automation Group:

Arduino microcontroller Uno and Mega -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduino

Raspberry Pi - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi

BeagleBone Black –
http://beagleboard.org/Products/BeagleBone%20Black
NEW!

Book “Bad to the Bone” on crafting electronic systems with
BeagleBone and BeagleBone Black NEW!

Book “Z-Wave Basics” on using w-wave for wireless
communication in Smart Homes. NEW!

Book “Raspberry Pi Projects for the Evil Genius” on projects
for Raspberry Pi. NEW!

Below is a list of things that could be
built in the future at the Home Automation Group, including:

Remote controlled blinds - (This can allow the heating of a house
based on the outdoors temperature and the amount of sun outside)

Air conditioning – Controlling AC and Heating using Cell phones
or advanced programs also to save money.

Front door systems- This includes the ability to automatically
unlock a door when the presence of the owner's cell phone is
detected. No more fumbling to find keys.

Security – This is by far the best solution save money by
building your own customized security system.

Garage door – Opening the door automatically when your car
drives up and texting you if the door have been left open.

Lighting – Automation of lighting to save on money by turning of
lights when the user leaves a section of the house. Voice control is
also something many are working on.

Watering of plants – Place a sensor in the soil of the plant and
texting the owner when it need to be watered. Automatically watering
of plants is also a something we can build at the space.

Cutting of grass – There are many robotic law mowers, but all of
them are too expensive for the average consumer. A Makerspace is a
great place to build your own robotic law mower and save thousands in
the process.

Members at the meeting have used: Smartthings, Insteon, Phillphs
Hue, Belkin Wemo, and many other technologies.

If you have any projects you are
working on, feel free to bring it to Reverse Space! We have locked
storage space, hundred of tools and electronics, and the largest
sections of free to use 3D printers for any Makerspace
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackerspace )
on the east coast of the US. At this time membership is free.

Other projects we are working on below. Help is always needed.

Raspberry Pi – Installation of OS system and working test
system for members.

Help Needed - Organization and building of the Makerspace.
Help is always appreciated but not required.

Community Help - Other members who may need help on their
projects. Volunteering is what makes a makerspace!

Website and listed equipment – Webmaster needed. Free
membership for this job.

Equipment Operators –

Address of the meeting:

Cortona Academy

13505 Dulles Technology Drive Suite 3 (all the way in the back!)

Herndon, VA 20171