So, as I mentioned a post or two ago, I'm going to be having my own "place" in under a year now. As I was saying, I have some plans.

Initially, I shall call them "KHAS" prononced "Cas". This stands for "Kloopy's Home Automation System". And it will make my flat/house the best in the area.

What I am going to do is spend the next 10 months or so researching, planning and developing a system that will automate my home. The first stages will involve the following;

Computer controlled lighting in every room.
Each light will be connected, either by wire or radio to a central computer which can control these lights both on a trigger basis and pre-programmed time basis. For example, motion sensors in each room will detect when someone walks into a room and turn the light on. When the room becomes empty, the light is switched off. This will conserve power and look absolutely sweet.

Whole-house audio system.
The computer that controls the lighting system will also control an audio system thoughtout the house. Each room will have an amp and speakers. The computer will detect which rooms are occupied. If a room is occupied and the person wishes to listen, music will be broadcast into that room. On a room becoming empty, the music will slowly fade out. Thus, walking thought the house will enable me to listen all the time.

These two systems will, of course, have a safety mechanism so if the computer crashes or something, then safe defaults are applied. For example if power fails to the light control system, the standard wall switches will take over.

But in the future, I want to have extended functionality, in the form of computer controlled thermostat, controlled curtains, some kind of security system, and perhaps icing on the cake would be a personality.

The house would inform me of things happening and give me options. A few examples follow;
When the door opens and I walk in... "Welcome home, Matt. Do you wish for me to turn the kettle on for you?"
"Matt, it's 2pm, the cooker hasn't been used today. Unless you used the microwave, you haven't had lunch. Do you want me to turn the oven on to 200 celcius for you?"
"Matt, sorry to wake you at 5am, but theres someone in the computer room. Your calendar says noone is over tonight. I think you're being burgaled. Do you want me to flash the computer room lights to cause the burglar an eppileptic fit?"
Ding Dong. "Matt, in case you didn't want to answer it, that's your mother at the door."
...and perhaps even "Matt, you're staggering a little. Have you been to the pub?"

You might thing, especially with the previous paragraph that I'm just dreaming and being silly. But I've ten months to make this a reality and I've never been more serious about a project before!