HKPUG #96 - Project Cool Down: Build a Smart AC AI with Python 🥵🧊

Date: 28 March 2026 (Sat)
Time: 16:00 - 18:00 *HKT
Coordinator: Ming Tou, Alex Au

Light Refreshments will be available!

This is a workshop for Python IoT. Please bring along your laptop with Python3 installed with enough battery! Winners will get a small prize as an accomplishment.

Please fill in the form for admission:
https://forms.gle/khyqQMPhv3i9QaUH7

Topic: Project Cool Down: Build a Smart AC AI with Python 🥵🧊

Are you melting? Let’s fix that with code. 🫠
In this hands-on workshop, we are turning a standard Python IoT tutorial into a gamified Smart Home Engineering Challenge! You don’t need to bring a physical AC. We have built several localized "Smart Home Servers" (Raspberry Pi 4 clusters) that will simulate a real-world environment. You will compete in teams to write the ultimate Python control script.

What You Will Do:

• Level 1 (Hello World): Connect to our local cluster API and get the virtual AC running.
• Level 2 (Wallet Saver): Electricity is expensive! Integrate the API to check real-world HK weather. Only turn the AC on if it's actually hot outside.
• Level 3 (Compressor Protection): Real-world GPS is noisy. Code hysteresis and cool-down algorithms to protect the AC compressor from exploding due to rapid On/Off toggling.
• Level 4 (The Boss Fight): The Wife Acceptance Factor (W.A.F). Handle complex, multi-user logic to ensure the AC stays on if someone else is still at home!

Your code will be tested against our "Chaos Generator"—a 10-minute simulation of a messy, real-world day. Gain points for comfort, lose points for wasting electricity or breaking the hardware.

Capacity: 32 (Strictly limited to 6-8 teams)

Venue Info:
City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong (Exact Location TBC)

Rundown:
16:00 - 16:10 Opening Remarks, Team Formation & Wi-Fi Setup
16:10 - 16:25 Briefing: Smart Home Architecture & API Setup
16:25 - 17:05 Coding Phase 1 (Levels 1 & 2)
17:05 - 17:50 Coding Phase 2 (Levels 3 & 4)
17:50 - 18:00 The Final Chaos Simulation, Awards
18:00 - Networking outside City University

Audience pre-requisite:

• Hardware: MUST bring a laptop with Python 3 installed and a code editor (VS Code, PyCharm, etc.).
• Skills: Recommended having basic to intermediate-level knowledge of Python (handling JSON, using the `requests` library, and writing basic `if/else/while` loops).

How to join?

1. Fill in the form for admission: https://forms.gle/khyqQMPhv3i9QaUH7
2. Click "Attend" on this page