Long story short - ESP32-based HestiaPi implementation
Keeping it in the background for too long didn’t really help as we never got the time to start an open discussion about it, so people started talking about it.
Over the previous months the project has been stuck to go forward due to below issues:
- Price - An HestiaPi may cost (just the parts) 2-3 times the original price
- Availability - We’re sure you know what we’re talking about
- Hardware limitations - Keeping up with latest OS versions and software is bringing Pi Zero to its limits and there is only so much we can do about it
We are also completely out of stock (aka zero sales) as we stopped production but our running costs keep coming out of the crowdfunding campaign earnings.
So we are considering a new model to be manufactured to accommodate all that (with a compromise).
An ESP32-based HestiaPi implementation!
Here are some bullets of what we are trying to accomplish:
- Easy sourcing - Choice of ESP32 board should depend on how easy it will be for people to buy it
- Standard materials - LCD, relays, connectors and PSU need to be uniquely identifiable to avoid confusion
- Same form factor - Ideally keeping the same case and touchscreen (although a smaller would probably be possible)
- Same UI
- Instant boot
- Non-volatile memory to avoid corruption due to power outages
- Compatibility for both US and EU houses
- Upgradable
- MQTT-based communication - Allowing you to use any Smart Home system or even custom ones
Here is what we will not have:
- Client-based logic - HestiaPi has been the (OpenHAB) server so far that could run on its own or even allow a bunch of smart home appliances to integrate it like many people did. As the demands have increased and many people already have their separate smart home servers elsewhere, making Hestia a client would fit the model better.
- Modifying the code on the fly (SSH into Hestia and change some files and restart a service) will have to be a bit more complicated as ESP32 runs off pre-compiled code. On the other hand, the above process may be much faster than it used to be
So this is a quick sort of announcement to get ideas in and start organising the work needed to be broken down. The goal is to get as much input off the community as possible and finalise an open hardware open software product that we can take to China and mass produce it cheaply for everyone not wanting to make it themselves.
More posts will follow to thread off individual tech talks…
Edit 25/09/2023:
Sub-threads for each component: