There is definitely a lot of news surrounding Home Assistant! After the monthly update, bringing its share of new features, Paulus Schoutsen, the founder of Home Assistant, announces the launch of a promising initiative: the creation of the Open Home Foundation. No, this is not yet another foundation like Matter. This time, this non-profit organization is being created to defend the fundamental principles of confidentiality, freedom of choice and sustainability in the world of connected homes. Very nice promises!
I would like to clarify our intentions to the whole world: we are driven by a goal greater than money. And we are not for sale.
Paulus Schoutsen, President / Board of the Open Home Foundation
The pillars of the Open Home Foundation
The Open Home Foundation stands as the guardian of the essential values at the heart of the smart home of tomorrow:
- Confidentiality: You are the master of your data. Your privacy must remain inviolable without your explicit consent. This is a core belief of the Foundation, which promotes the local use of connected devices without mandatory dependence on cloud services.
- Choice: The freedom to mix and match devices from different brands within your home. The Foundation advocates interoperability without arbitrary restrictions, local management of devices via open standards and accessible APIs.
- Sustainability: Extending the life of your devices and appliances means pushing the limits of their commercial lifespan. It also means having the tools necessary to reduce your environmental footprint.
A natural transition to the future
To crystallize these ambitions, over 240 projects, standards, drivers, and libraries, such as Home Assistant and ESPHome, have been transferred to the Open Home Foundation. This preventive approach aims to combat the risks of a surveillance economy, hostile acquisition, or planned obsolescence of open-source projects. This protection also extends to future hazards, ensuring users have reliable technology for years, even decades to come.
Collaboration and sustainability
The Open Home Foundation does not stop there. In close partnership with Nabu Casa, it funds and directs resources to the development of essential external projects such as Z-Wave JS and WLED. These initiatives must remain open and aligned with the association's core values.
Active advocacy for the future
The Open Home Foundation plans to become an active policy actor, educating the public, policymakers, and businesses on the importance of open standards and privacy for the future of smart homes.
A long story, not about to end!
The Home Assistant adventure began more than ten years ago with a simple line of code to control connected lights. This initiative triggered a movement that, thanks to thousands of contributors, shaped a reference platform for the smart home and an entire ecosystem of related projects, resulting in the home automation solution we know today, widely used throughout the world, with more than a million users to date.
In 2023, a dedicated team of developers decided to crystallize their ideals and create a formal roof for the projects that they and so many others had enriched with their codes and convictions. This is how, in 2024, the Open Home Foundation was born.
A busy schedule for Home Assistant
Of course, the foundation has big plans for Home Assistant, with the main goal of being able to reach the general public.
Home Assistant Green: Accessibility via Amazon
For Paulus Schoutsen, founder of Home Assistant, the goal is clear: to involve an ever-wider audience, especially beginners, in the use of Home Assistant. A key step in this project is the launch of the Home Assistant Green home automation box on Amazon this year, marking an important milestone towards the democratization of the connected home.
This ready-to-use box is already available from many retailers, such as Domadoo for example. But it is certain that a presence on Amazon will allow wider access to the general public.
New home automation dongles: beyond Skyconnect
A home automation solution must offer high-performance and reliable protocols. Matter, Zigbee and Z-Wave are the foundations of this technology. We will therefore see the introduction of new Thread, Zigbee and Z-wave dongles, intended to enrich and possibly succeed Skyconnect, thus completing the range of controllers to optimize the user experience with Home Assistant Green.
“Works with Home Assistant” certification
2024 is also the year in which the Open Home Foundation launches the “Works with Home Assistant” program, certifying products compatible with the platform. In the spirit of the “Works with Alexa” or “Works with HomeKit” labels, this certification guarantees the seamless integration of devices into the Home Assistant ecosystem, with Aqara, Ultraloq and Jasco as the first partners.
Assist, the voice assistant of Nabu Casa
A new Home Assistant voice control device, powered by “Assist”, Home Assistant's local voice assistant, is also planned. This device will strengthen the suite of products dedicated to personalized and secure user experience. A highly anticipated alternative to GAFA assistants!
Artificial intelligence: the home automation revolution
Speaking of innovation, Home Assistant is collaborating with Nvidia to integrate a local artificial intelligence model into the platform. The details remain to be specified, but this initiative promises to radically transform the approach to home automation.
Simplification of the Home Assistant interface
After a recent overhaul, the foundation aims to further simplify the Home Assistant user interface, with a firm commitment to increased ergonomics and ease of use. This is indeed a crucial point in order not to scare off the general public.
Conclusion
All of these advances are part of an ambition: to position Home Assistant as a turnkey home automation solution for the general public.
We aspire to become a reference brand for the consumer.
Paulus Schoutsen, President / Board of the Open Home Foundation
The ultimate goal? That Home Assistant finds its place in DIY stores such as Leroy Merlin or Castorama for example, thus becoming the preferred choice for those who value privacy and simplicity in terms of smart home. In any case, it is on the right track!
You can find the full presentation video here:
We can only welcome this ambition! A foundation whose evolution we will follow closely ;-)
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