Home Assistant

Home Assistant
Original author(s)Paulus Schoutsen
Developer(s)Open Home Foundation, Home Assistant Core Team and Community
Initial release17 September 2013
(11 years ago) (2013-09-17)
Stable release
2024.8.2[1] Edit this on Wikidata / 16 August 2024; 2 months ago (16 August 2024)
Repositorygithub.com/home-assistant
Written inPython (Python 3.11)
Operating systemSoftware appliance / Virtual appliance (Linux)
PlatformARM, ARM64, IA-32 (x86), and x64 (x86-64)
TypeHome automation, smart home technology, Internet of things, task automator
LicenseApache License v2.0 (free and open-source)
Websitewww.home-assistant.io

Home Assistant is free and open-source software used for home automation. It serves as an integration platform and smart home hub, allowing users to control smart home devices. The software emphasizes local control and privacy and is designed to be independent of any specific Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem.[2][3][4][5] Its interface can be accessed through a web-based user interface, by using companion apps for Android and iOS, or by voice commands via a supported virtual assistant, such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Home Assistant's own "Assist" (a built-in local voice assistant) using natural language.[6][7][8]

The Home Assistant software application is commonly run on a computer appliance with "Home Assistant Operating System" that will act as a central control system for home automation (commonly called a smart home hub/gateway/bridge/controller),[9][10][11][12] that has the purpose of controlling IoT connectivity technology devices, software, applications and services from third-parties via modular integration components, including native integration components for common wired or wireless communication protocols and standards for IoT products such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, EnOcean, and Thread/Matter (used to create either local personal area networks or direct ad hoc connections with small smart home devices using low-power digital radios), or Wi-Fi and Ethernet connected devices on a home network / local area network (LAN).[13][14][15][16]

Home Assistant as such supports controlling devices and services connected via either open and proprietary ecosystems or commercial smart home hubs/gateways/bridges as long they provide public access via some kind of Open API or MQTT interface to allow for third-party integration over either the local area network or Internet, which includes integrations for Alexa Smart Home (Amazon Echo), Google Nest (Google Home), HomeKit (Apple Home), Samsung SmartThings, and Philips Hue.[17][18][19]

Information from all devices and their attributes (entities) that the application sees can be used and controlled via automation or script using scheduling or subroutines (including preconfigured "blueprint"), e.g. for controlling lighting, climate, entertainment systems and smart home appliances.[20][21][22][23]

  1. ^ "home-assistant/core/releases/tag/2024.8.2".
  2. ^ "No Privacy Compromise Home Automation". Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Home Assistant lets you automate your smart home without giving up privacy". The Ambient. 10 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Secure home automation, without clouds or dedicated hubs". 20 June 2016.
  5. ^ Greenberg, Andy (20 July 2016). "Now You Can Hide Your Smart Home on the Darknet". Wired – via www.wired.com.
  6. ^ "What is Home Assistant, how does it work, and what do you need to get started?)". 30 June 2023.
  7. ^ "The 10 Best Home Assistant Devices Of 2023, Ranked)". 19 August 2023.
  8. ^ "The best home automation systems: Compare SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and more)". ZDNet.
  9. ^ Alex Kretzschmar - Mar 31, 2021 11:30 am UTC (31 March 2021). "How to achieve smart home nirvana (or, home automation without subscription)". Ars Technica. Retrieved 13 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "Home Assistant makes your smart devices work together the way you imagined". Android Central. 12 April 2018.
  11. ^ Valens, Clemens (16 September 2020). "Home Automation Made Easy: Combine Home Assistant, ESPHome and MySensors". Elektor Magazine. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  12. ^ "How to start a smart home using Home Assistant)". 15 June 2023.
  13. ^ "How I built a fully offline smart home, and why you should too)". 6 January 2024.
  14. ^ "I was wrong to ignore Zigbee and Z-Wave. They're the best part of my smart home)". 12 February 2024.
  15. ^ "The best smart plugs in 2024)". 10 July 2024.
  16. ^ "The Best Smart Garage Door Opener Controller)". The New York Times. 8 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Android's built-in smart home controls now work with Home Assistant)". 25 October 2023.
  18. ^ "MyQ no longer works with any of the major smart home platforms. Fortunately, there are alternatives.)". 7 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Haier hits Home Assistant plugin dev with takedown notice)".
  20. ^ "Magical Smart Home Upgrade Lets Muggles Control Their Homes With a Wand Too". Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  21. ^ "How to set up and use Home Assistant to power your smart home". 30 March 2021.
  22. ^ "Tech projects for IT leaders: How to use IoT for home automation". TechRepublic. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  23. ^ "Why I'm switching to Home Assistant)". 2 August 2023.