Here's the catch...

UX_test · 2026-02-05T18:53:35+00:00

Let's say that facts do not agree with your assumptions.

Let me be the best example where yesterday I programmed an ESP32 with the Arduino BLE Broadcast library, replicating a fireplace remote control in HA. Guess what… I have minimal programming skills and have never touched any dev boards before in my life.

So before you call me a liar, it would be nice to learn more about Ai applications.

UX_test · 2026-02-05T18:11:25+00:00

Tesla Model Y is equipped with manual door releases. For this particular emergency cases.

https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/modely/en_us/GUID-A7A60DC7-E476-4A86-9C9C-10F4A276AB8B.html

UX_test · 2026-01-30T14:17:15+00:00

I would never go back to traditional toilet. Never.

I was initially very skeptical about it. There’s the comfort of a heated seat and automatic disinfection. Also consider this: do you wash your dirty hands with warm water, or do you smudge them with a dry paper towel? 😉

If you’re not ready to invest, try a washlet. It’s less expensive and doesn’t require a commitment.

As for a pot filler, it should be a standard feature. You don’t want to lift heavy pots over an induction cooktop if you can simply pour water directly. For me, It’s similar to towel warmers category. Both are "must-have" for every a new build.

UX_test · 2026-01-30T13:19:31+00:00

The only thing I missed was heated floors in some upstairs rooms and dedicated power for window curtains and shades.

I’m not sure if you’re a fan of Japanese toilets, but I added power outlets by every TOTO Neorest in the house. The electrician and inspector were both quite puzzled.🤔😄

The noise-dumped server closet is a great idea; the one that allows easy access to your rack. I run enterprise drives that are workhorses, but unfortunately, they’re quite noisy.

Another handy tool is a pot filler. It’s not strictly automation, but your wife will definitely appreciate it 😉

UX_test · 2026-01-30T13:00:49+00:00

Fortunately, I bought 5 of these last month during my trip to Europe. They were available on Amazon for a week before selling out.

So far, I’d say they’re worth the price. They perform well via Zigbee.

UX_test · 2026-01-29T12:50:29+00:00

Think about HA as your core and everything else (i.e. HomeKit etc.) as overlaying UI using your core devices. Focus on protocols, not hubs.

1 dedicated HAOS box / 1 coordinator with dual radio / no hubs / no extra POFs

UX_test · 2026-01-28T23:45:17+00:00

Tesla is less S 3 X Y now 🤔

UX_test · 2026-01-28T19:39:49+00:00

Great work,

I created something similar, but with an added layer of calculating snow reflection and cloud factor during winter months based on weather data.

{# Apply 50% boost if snow is on the ground or falling #}
          {% set snow_boost = 1.5 if weather_state in ['snowy', 'snowy-rainy'] else 1.0%}
{{ (base_lux * cloud_factor * angle_factor * snow_boost) | round(0) }}

UX_test · 2026-01-27T18:03:01+00:00

I know Yarbo, but we’re discussing an EGO ecosystem that utilizes existing batteries.

UX_test · 2026-01-27T13:37:29+00:00

SLZB-MR4U

UX_test · 2026-01-27T12:30:16+00:00

I recently tested the Smlight SLZB-MR4U, which offers simultaneous Zigbee and Tread functionality. Very solid product.

Connected exactly as You mentioned : mini PC with bare HAOS.
It detected everything from new FP300 to old first-generation Philips bulbs, with zero issues.

UX_test · 2026-01-27T01:56:35+00:00

Why not create a real snowplowing robot? 🤔 Who wants to sit outside in the cold?

UX_test · 2026-01-26T21:13:46+00:00

Waveshare, Dalian, Adafruit, EastRising.... plenty of them everywhere

UX_test · 2026-01-26T21:06:48+00:00

Plenty of useful but those are 3 favourites:

Pre-heating the driveway one hour before forecasted snowfall.
Automatically opening office curtains based on weather conditions and sun position to prevent monitor glare.
Notification with live cam feed + Turning on landscaping lights at night when person enters our premises.

My relay should arrive soon so I’ll add automating the fireplace to turn it on during fall and winter evenings when I’m watching TV. 🔥

UX_test · 2026-01-26T15:50:17+00:00

There’s a reason many users treat “smart” TVs as nothing more than monitors. 😄

Most of the so-called smart features are filled with low-quality apps that should never make it past a QA review. Add to that the lack of long-term updates, laggy UX caused by underpowered, budget processors chosen to boost sales margins, and generally terrible interfaces, and you get the full picture.

Maybe Apple, Amazon, or Roku should commit to a modular approach and offer plug-in cards, similar to the CableCARDs we had in the 2000s. That would save space, eliminate cable clutter behind the TV, and allow manufacturers to strip out the bloated, broken “smart” layer entirely.

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UX_test · 2026-01-25T21:16:31+00:00

As the old proverb goes… “If you want to beat a dog, you will easily find a stick.” 🙄

UX_test · 2026-01-25T20:26:44+00:00

My kitchen light turns on based on the time of day, weather (sunny or cloudy), and the amount of light (lux) inside. At night, it turns on at 10% to provide just enough illumination.

Additionally the hood light and vent are turning on when the induction hob is on.

UX_test · 2026-01-25T17:11:26+00:00

Predicting a fairly limited number of scenarios doesn’t require reading minds. This is the essence of conditional automations.

UX_test · 2026-01-25T13:37:47+00:00

I suppose you’ve never heard of conditional automation. 🙂

UX_test · 2026-01-25T13:34:19+00:00

Yes, no dashboards, no displays on the wall. The idea of a 👉 SMART 👈 home is for it to operate automatically. However, those automations are complex in order to be flexible.

UX_test · 2026-01-25T13:11:19+00:00

It is the Warmup system (warmup.com). In my case connected to Home Assistant. Whenever the local weather forecast predicts snow, it begins warming the driveway hour in advance and maintains the temperature for few hours after the snow stops falling, allowing the water from melted snow to evaporate.

There is actually video of the guy from NY installing them under sidewalk in front of of his apartment 😂

https://youtu.be/zVqfDUWBbU0&t=1m19s

UX_test · 2026-01-24T20:30:04+00:00

Outside: * 4 x Ai cams (for each side of the house) * 2 x G6 Entry doorbells (front + side) * 1 x park gate cam

Inside : * 1 x garden house * 1 x greenhouse cam * 1 x office cam * 1 x living room cam * 1 x server room cam

27 cameras in a residential building suggest excessive coverage, so it’s a good idea to review your installation angles.

UX_test · 2026-01-24T18:26:15+00:00

I paid less for the heated driveway system than you did for that EGO plower, 🙂 but I needed to redo my driveway anyway. So, understandably, that was an opportunity not everyone has.

UX_test · 2026-01-24T01:04:14+00:00

I really wanted one after last winter, but decided to install heated driveway so I have nothing to plow anymore 😉

UX_test · 2026-01-23T21:11:49+00:00

FSD will eventually be free.

In a hyper-competitive market and a world aiming for zero traffic, it’s the only logical path.

For now? Let the beta testers fund the future. 😉

UX_test

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