Arduino to Homekit Integration

Arduino to Homekit Integration – Guide

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What is Arduino? An Open Source Hardware and Software Platform, that lets users create interactiveness and controls on their electronic objects. You can program through Both Physical Board and Software. These boards are designed to generate and read Inputs and access your Smart Home Automation. Get into the guide and Know Is Arduino to Homekit is Possible and How it is done.

Arduino to Homekit Integration

Is Arduino compatible with Homekit?

Yes, Arduino is compatible with Apple Homekit. You can integrate Arduino to Homekit on any supported iOS Device. However, This is not a usual Homebridge to Homekit Process. To make this Project successful, You will need to go through a lot of TECH DIYs.

How to Connect Arduino to Homekit?

To connect Arduino to Homekit is only possible through a DIY Project.

  • Connect a Physical Switch to your Smart Switch to control it.
  • If you want to Read Temperature -You need an old MCU board with a DHT11 sensor,2 Wire Connector, a Resistor, and a Mobile Charger.
  • If you do not already have the Arduino IDE Installed- You can install it from the Official website.

What you will need:

  • An Arduino board with Wifi or Ethernet Shield.
  • Raspberry Pi or any other server of your choice.
  • iOS Device and a WIFI Connection.
  • Extension Lead.
  • Project Box.
  • Normal or Solid State Relay | with a control circuit.
  • Breadboard – Totally Optional.

Arduino to Homekit Integration

Using these components, You will need to build a required system to make your device Homekit Compatible.

Check Out: Best Homekit Routers

Connect Arduino to Homekit – Stepwise 

To access the scripts on the server and scenes on Apple Homekit, You will have to follow the instructions below;

  • Firstly, Set up the Server – Use a server to run the Homebridge Software. You can use Raspberry Pi to run the Node.Js.
  • Install the Homebridge as well.
  • Once done, Search for a Plugin and Install it on your device.
  • Now, Start to customize your Config.json file – Here is how you can do it;

* Open the config.json file and configure it as below. Although this is just an example code, You may customize it accordingly ;

{
“bridge”: {

“name”: “Homebridge”,

“username”: “CC:22:3D: E3:CE:30”,

“port”: 51826,

“pin”: “031-45-154”

},

“platforms”: [

],

“accessories”: [

{

“accessory”: “Http”,

“name”: “Living Room Lamp”,

“on_url”: “http://192.168.1.201:80/?on”,

“off_url”: “http://192.168.1.201:80/?off”,

“http_method”: “GET”

}

]

}

Setting up the Solid State Relay 

This step is quite technical. You will need a Solid State Relay, depending on the load you tend to run on.

  • Connect the Positive Leg of Solid State to Pin 5 on the Arduino board. And Connect the Negative leg to the GND Pin.

Uploading the Arduino Code

  • On your Arduino Environment – Upload the Sketch.
  • Here, You can customize your IP Address as needed.
  • When the device is ready for testing, Launch the Homebridge on your server.
  • Install the Elgatu Eve App on your iOS Device. The Homebridge as an accessory will be shown as connected.
  • Enter a PIN and customize it in the Config.json file.
  • Use Siri and Do the test to control the Relay using the Voice.

If this works, You can use Wifi and access Arduino to Homekit for Whole Home automation.

Arduino to Homekit – Libraries 

The Arduino Library can be used to Integrate any Homekit Accessory (ESP8266 Arduino core).No Need for any other bridges. When you use Arduino Software, You will be able to open up to various functions and even extend it with the Libraries.

These Libraries are embedded with a collection of codes. To Help you connect the Arduino board to Sensors, Lights, Displays, Switches, Modules, etc. More than Thousands of Libraries are available here and Currently, there is a list of 790 Libraries in the Architecture esp32.

Choose the one that you require and You can directly download it through the Arduino IDE.

How to Install and Add an Arduino Homekit Library?

  • Firstly, Download it as a ZIP file> Expand it and Move it to a directory.
  • Complete the Installation Process and Move the file to the Library Folder.
  • Change the location on your Sketchbook folder – File>Preferences>Sketchbook location.
  • Navigate to the Directory> Extract the ZIP File>Select the folder>Rename it.
  • Copy it in the Libraries. Now, Start the Arduino Software.
  • Click on the Sketch>Include Library and Start Verifying.

Below is an example of the Homekit ESP32 Library

Homespan to Homekit – ESP32

Another way to do this Project – For Espressif ESP32, You can also try using a Homespan Library. Through this, You can implement Apple’s Homekit Accessory Protocol -(HAP).

Homespan – It is one of the Arduino IDE libraries that provides Apple Homekit Implementation. Using Homespan, You can directly Pair your device to Homekit via a Home WiFi with No Bridge needed. It is an easy-to-use choice for the Espressif ESP32.

Here is a Manual Installation if you want to Integrate Arduino to Homekit ESP32;

  • Choose a Required Plugin.
  • On Windows, Tap on Clone or Download and Then get the Download Zip.
  • Extract the contents and Rename the zip file as Arduino Homekit ESP32.
  • Now, Move the file to the Arduino Libraries Directory.
  • Restart your Arduino IDE and Try accessing it.

Ensure your Homespan device is in READY TO PAIR Mode and Connected to the Internet. So, You can Pair your Homespan to Homekit.

Example Arduino Homekit Set Up Code

To access Automation, You will have to define your accessories in a .c file or a .ino file using C++ code.

homekit_accessory_t *accessories[] = ...
	homekit_server_config_t config = {
		.accessories = accessories,
		.password = "111-11-111",
		//.on_event = on_homekit_event, //optional
		//.setupId = "ABCD" //optional
	};
#include <arduino_homekit_server.h>;
	
	//access the config defined in C code
	extern "C" homekit_server_config_t config; 
	
	void setup() {
		WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
		arduino_homekit_setup(&config);
	}
	
	void loop() {
		arduino_homekit_loop();
	}

Connect Arduino to Homekit on the Home App

Once you have set up the Arduino board you are good to connect your device. For the Apple Home Automation, Set up the Home App on your Apple iPhone.

Arduino to Homekit Integration

  • Install and Open the Home App.
  • Click on the + icon> Add Accessory> Tap on More Options.
  • Find and Select the Device that you want to connect and control.
  • Click on Add Anyway>Enter the 8-digit setup code. (11111111 is the default).
  • Choose your Location>Continue and Done.

Read also: What is HOOBS?

Final Note 

Give a glance at the guide and am sure you will definitely find a way to integrate Arduino into Homekit.In Addition, Let me tell you that This Project is not as easy as using Homebridge- But with a Good Library Code, HomeSpan – It is possible. Once this Project is successful, The boards can read inputs and turn them into Outputs. Turn On Lights, Activate Motors, and a lot more.

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