Raspberry Pi Home Automation with Arduino Paperback – February 5, 2013

Raspberry Pi Home Automation with Arduino is an introductory guide to building projects for your home using the Raspberry Pi computer and the Arduino to Pi bridge shield.The book starts off with an introduction to the history of home automation and provides some background to the Raspberry Pi, Arduino and Arduino to Pi technology.Following this we learn how to setup a small LED and switch it on and off. This is the "Hello World" program of the electronics realm.Having got to grips with wiring the Pi up to the Arduino shield and subsequently connecting up some electronic components, we move onto some more complex projects.In the following chapters the book covers setting up relays that can switch a fan on and off using mains electricity. You are guided through a basic thermostat circuit and then explore HTSQL, SQLite and Python in order to build a database for storing room temperatures.I'd never used HTSQL before so this was a great introduction to a new technology.The book finishes of with some future projects and gives us a guide to the Gertboard.For those in the US Lady Ada has the vast majority of components you'd need on her website and they are all pretty cheap. The Arduino to Pi shield I had to order from the Cooking Hacks website.Who would I recommend this book for?1.) If you already have a bunch of Arduino shields and want to use them with the PI, this is the perfect book. Since buying the Arduino to Pi shield I have been able to re-use a bunch of electronic components I had sitting around.2.) Your are an absolute newbie and want to learn about the Raspberry Pi and Arduino and a way to combine the technologies.The book was a lot of fun and has given me a way to get new life out of old components.

So, you're interested in custom home automation? This book introduces you to the sensors, controllers, and programming languages to spark your creativity towards home automation. Very detailed with lots of resources to get started on your journey. Good for both novice and intermediate users.

When I ordered the book, I did not realize that I would have to separately order a 40-Euro Arduino shield from cooking-hacks.org to use it. So basically, until I want to cough up the funds,the book is a doorstop. Even the most basic part of the setup requires additional parts (LEDs, resistors) that as a new user, I don't have. I was able to find a list of what was needed, but it would behoove anyone wanting to use the book to search through the sample pages to get the shopping list first. I will say that the portions I have read are clear and comprehensible; just not terribly useful without all the additional hardware bits.

This book is misleading in that you really don't use Arduino. You have to purchase an Aruino like board for about $80 to attach to the Raspberry PI. If you own an Arduino this is useless. Of course knowing that the Arduino is a micro-controller itself one might question why you would need the Raspberry Pi to work with it outside of loading compiled programs into it. However, I still think the title of the book is misleading when you really have to buy this auxiliary card for the Raspberry in order to get any use out of the book.

This is a great starter book for those who want to learn how to build their own media center. This is an accessible book and provided you have the hardware expertise or are willing to roll up your sleeves and learn.

Great !! Worked perfect for me!!

The description of the book neglects to tell you that a raspberry pi to arduino bridge shield is needed. I only found that out after I downloaded the book. That is very deceptive. I feel badly ripped off.

Once again a great book for the Pi.

Although I feel this is more arduino related than pi, it certainly filled me with ideas for future projects with the pi

im still waiting for flying cars.. but this is on the way

As described - thank-you.

well written easily understood

Got this book because I recently got a Raspberry Pi, and some Arduinos for a retirement gift. Great book with lots of info on automating your home. Hoping to put together a system to replace my current out dated intercom (house music system), door bell, security, and heating controls. So this is a great book to get me started.