Add the brains

Most smart features run on a cheap Wi-Fi chip like the ESP32. Design the board in KiCad and control it with ESPHome.

An ESP32 development board costs a few dollars and gives you Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and plenty of pins for relays, sensors and motor drivers.

ESPHome lets you describe the device in a short configuration file and gives you control from your phone through Home Assistant. When a breadboard prototype works, design a proper board in KiCad and have it made and assembled by a PCB service.

Keep mains voltage out of your first prototype. Use low-voltage actuators and a certified power supply.

Checklist

• Prototype on a dev board first
• ESPHome config stored in the repo
• Low voltage only until a professional signs off
• Board designed in KiCad, not hand-wired, for anything you sell