OpenHAB - SmartHome

OpenHAB 5.0: The Home Automation Revolution Is Here

After a two-year wait, the most beloved open-source home automation ecosystem among enthusiasts is back with unprecedented strength. openHAB 5.0 isn't just an update, but a true revolution that rewrites the rules of the game, introducing features that make the smart home even more powerful, open, and intuitive.

If you're a home automation enthusiast, get ready to discover all the new features that will make you fall in love with this new version.

Some of these include:

1. Matter: Interoperability Defined

The most anticipated new feature is undoubtedly native support for Matter, the new unified connectivity standard. This means that openHAB 5.0 is finally ready to speak the same language as devices and platforms from different brands, such as Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa.

But there's more: openHAB's new Matter Bridge lets you make your legacy devices (e.g., Zigbee or Z-Wave) visible to other Matter ecosystems.

Essentially, openHAB becomes a "universal translator" that extends the compatibility of your smart home to an unprecedented level.

2. Python Add-on and YAML Configuration: Goodbye to Complicated

For those who love to tinker with code, openHAB 5.0 offers tools that greatly simplify their lives:

New Python Add-on: Rewritten from scratch, it makes writing scripts more fluid and intuitive, with easier access to all entities and rules.

YAML Configuration: Forget the old DSL format. Now you can define your "Things" and "Items" with the modern and clear YAML syntax, making configuration tidier and more readable. The user interface even lets you generate YAML code automatically!

3. New iOS App: Home Automation at Your Fingertips

The smartphone user experience has also taken a leap forward, especially for Apple users. The new iOS app has been completely rewritten to better integrate with the Apple ecosystem and offers features that transform everyday use:

iOS Widgets and Shortcuts: Control your devices directly from the Home screen or with voice commands via Siri.

Apple Watch Support: Manage your home directly from your wrist.

Kiosk Mode: Turn an iPad or iPhone into a true wall control panel, locking the app in the foreground and providing instant access to home automation for the whole family.

What do you think of these new features? Are you ready to install openHAB 5.0?

Enjoy your viewing

Did you just update OpenHAB to version 5.0.1 and encounter some unexpected errors?

Don't worry, it happened to me too.

In this video, I want to share my upgrade experience, showing how I resolved the small issues that arose and why, in the end, I'm more than satisfied with the result.

The most surprising thing is that the upgrade was silent, meaning it didn't create any blocking issues. On the contrary, it highlighted errors that the previous version 4 had never reported.

The new version is more strict and, in fact, pushes you to make your configuration cleaner and more robust.

In the video, you can find the 3 types of errors I encountered and how I solved them.

Enjoy your viewing

Upgrading OpenHAB from 4 to 5? Done!

The process was easier than expected. I've documented everything in my new video.

Watch the result and discover the key steps.

From installing Java 21, to updating OpenHAB, to the final checks.

Enjoy your viewing

Integrate your SwitchBot devices into OpenHAB with this API to MQTT bridge!

In this video, I show you how I configured OpenHAB to integrate a SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro via MQTT, using my switchbot-api2mqtt bridge.

This software connects the SwitchBot cloud APIs to an MQTT broker, allowing you to control and monitor your SwitchBot devices (such as locks, blinds, thermometers, etc.) directly from OpenHAB or any MQTT-compatible home automation system.

• Completely open source
• Works on Raspberry Pi or any server, optionally with Docker
• Supports all SwitchBot API-compatible devices
• Includes MQTT support for commands and status
• Perfect for DIY home automation!

Download the project from my GitHub repository https://github.com/domoticsduino/switchbot-api2mqtt

Enjoy your viewing

What are Webhooks? How do they work? And above all: how can you use them with Switchbot?

In this video I explain everything you need to know about Webhooks, starting from scratch!

Webhooks are a powerful tool for automating communications between services.

In the world of home automation, and in particular with Switchbot devices, they allow you to receive events in real time, such as the opening of a door or a change of state.

Enjoy your viewing

Do you have SwitchBot devices and want to integrate them into OpenHAB?

In my latest video I present the full version of my MQTT bridge in Python, which now supports ALL devices compatible with the SwitchBot API!

Enjoy your viewing

I complete the configuration of my Switchbot Smartlock in Openhab via the MQTT protocol, using my Api2mqtt Bridge, which allows you to use the switchbot apis through MQTT communication.

In this video, in addition to creating objects to send controls, view the battery status and more, I create a sitemap to take a final test.

You can download and use the bridge for free from my Github repository https://github.com/domoticsduino

Enjoy your viewing

Easy integration in OpenHAB of my SWITCHBOT SMARTLOCK via MQTT protocol, using my API2MQTT bridge, which allows to use the SWITCHBOT APIs via MQTT communication.

In this video, I create things, channels and items in OpenHAB to interface with my SMART LOCK...

You can download and use the bridge for free from my Github repository https://github.com/domoticsduino

Enjoy your viewing

Do you have a Switchbot Smart Lock and want to integrate it into Openhab?

This video shows you a software that could be for you!

I wrote a Python program that acts as a bridge between the API of Switchbot and the Mqtt protocol, making the integration of the intelligent lock an easy stuff.

Forget complex configurations: with this script you can check and automate your Smart Lock directly from Openhab, taking advantage of the simplicity of the Mqtt protocol.

In the video you will find all the details. You can download the software and use free of charge from my Github repository https://github.com/domoticsduino

Enjoy your viewing

I start a new project for the integration of the SWITCHBOT SMARTLOCK in OpenHAB.

I want to try to exploit the SWITCHBOT APIs through a software that will make integration with the MQTT protocol possible, acting as a PROXY between the two protocols.

Enjoy your viewing

A quick video where I change the way the docker container is created, switching from the command line with Docker Run to Docker Compose, to be more comfortable making changes and updates.

I create the docker-compose.yml file ready to be executed

Enjoy your viewing

In this quick video I'm going to update my OpenHAB 5 M1 docker container to the Milestone 2 version, released a few days ago.

The procedure is simple and consists of recreating the container after downloading the updated docker image.

Now we should be fine with updates for a few months

Enjoy your viewing

In this video I restore my current OPENHAB 4 version to the new OPENHAB 5 instance, which is currently running as a DOCKER container.

In this way I lay the foundation for the migration that I will do step by step, keeping both instances up to date.

By doing this, when OpenHAB 5 Stable is officially released I will have no problems doing the migration.

Enjoy your viewing

I start the new adventure of OpenHAB 5 by installing the Milestone 1 version as a DOCKER container to be able to install it on the same Raspberry on which the current version 4 is running.

I show all the steps I performed for the installation, taking care to avoid conflicts with the current version already installed on the Raspberry.

I remind you that OpenHAB 5 needs 64-bit operating system as a necessary requirement!

Enjoy your viewing

With this video I want to start a new chapter of my OpenHAB journey, planning the installation, testing and migration to OPENHAB 5.

I want to configure and start using OpenHAB 5, currently in Milestone version, in parallel with my OpenHAB 4 installation, taking advantage of the potential of Docker.

Enjoy your viewing

In this video I show you how I customized my OpenHAB dashboard to clearly and intuitively display when a widget is showing outdated information.

By using transparency, I can quickly identify which data needs my attention, improving the efficiency and reliability of my home automation system.

Follow me step by step to learn how to implement this useful modification and make your OpenHAB dashboard even more functional!

Enjoy your viewing