This is a page documenting my progress towards making a fully offline Smart Home. I hope this can be used as a reference and resource for those looking to make something like this on their own. Please share this page with others who may be interested in something like this themselves. Work in progress!
Spreadsheet with build information will be updated here:
Semi-Finsihed GLaDOS generation 1. She is unmouted in this picture. Each LED is Individually addressable using home assistant. 
Unpainted part straight off of the 3D Printer. These parts were print d using a Creality CR-10 
Closer shots of the smaller GLaDOS. This was used by the original author for puppeteering the bot and used potentiometers. Because IW anted to control this via Home Assistant, I opted AWAY from using traditional analogue controls. 
All the loose pieces used to solder together the LED boards. I could have bought prebuilt units, but building them myself made them both cheaper, and more repairable. These boards are called “Quin LED UNO” boards. They use ESP8266 WiFi boards to control individual LEDs using WLED and Home Assistant. These lights can also be synchronized to my PC screen. I also have them hooked up to special orchestrated shows using xLights. Youc an see more on my YouTube channel. 
The first LED I ever tried soldering. 
Finished Quin LED Uno. 
Finished Quin LED Uno with both cords / tails attached! 
Anyone can build one… But can you repeat the process? 
3D Printing a case for the WLED controller. 
The first backlit poster. This was used in many of my videos and livestreams to enhance the atmosphere. I also currentley ahve them set up to flash when I get Twitch subscribers, when my laundry finishes, and many other home-based automations. 
And the other two posters ready to be hung. 
GLaDOS on my table with the light box. 
Stringing out the lights to ensure they are all working as intended. 
GLaDOS on my bed. Yet to be reassembled. 
Weight sensor to track if I’m in bed. This allows me to automate my AC, media center, and more when I go to sleep. 
Inside photo of the wiring. GLaDOS uses 4 servos, a temperature / humidity sensor, a PIR sensor, and a camera. 
Top of GLaDOS. The wiring is basic, but it works. The WLED box, ESP32 w ESPHOME, and the servo for the top gear are all stored here. 
For the audio input and output, I opted for a semi-portable Aperture Radio device. My goal was to create a media machine with an HDMI out. This machine would be able to stream movies, output video onto a larger screen, and transmit voice commands to GLaDOS using home assistant. Why separate the audio / microphone output from the bot itself? Youa re likely to mount the robot somewhere distant to where you would sit. This allwos you to plug in your radio to other rooms and “GLaDOS” usually transmits her signal through the lab speakers anyways. 
The first aperture radio base being printed. 
The first aperture radio shell being printed. You ABSOLUTELY should print this in black and PAINT it white. If you do not do this two things can happen. The white plastic is likely to char if it sticks to your nozzle. THis looks bad and needs to be painted over anyways. By printing in black, you will prevent light leak from the Pi LEDs. 
One of the major parts for the Aperture Radio. This holds the speakers in place. 
One of the major parts for the Aperture Radio. This holds the speakers in place. 
I wanted to make this as fool proof as possible to assemble and print. To that end, I ended up printing about 20 of these. Some in more parts. Some in less. The goal was to buy as few parts off the shelf as possible. I experimented with snap ins, screws, different cable lengths, different speak and screen setups… You name it. I tried it. 
Weight sensor to track if I’m in bed. This allows me to automate my AC, media center, and more when I go to sleep. 
The guts of the Gen 1 Radio. The top knob is a volume controller. The unit be directly unplugged, or turned off via Smart Switch. The final version has a ring of controllable LEDs. 
I wanted to ensure the scale was appropriate. on my desk. 
The finished product. Much like GLaDOS, it was a requirement for the lights and devices internally to be controlled via Home Assistant. Each LED is individually adjustable. You could also screen case any media from your phone to the device. I used Plex for most of this to make it more user friendly and quick to deploy. 
Testing out some 3D printed lam shades. 
These bulbs are the only thing I bough pre-made. They are Hue Bulbs. Main room lighting was not something I felt comfortable wiring up myself. Not yet at least. If anyone knows something that is better quality, and cheaper… Let me know! 
These bulbs are the only thing I bough pre-made. They are Hue Bulbs. Main room lighting was not something I felt comfortable wiring up myself. Not yet at least. If anyone knows something that is better quality, and cheaper… Let me know! 
3D Printed NFC Embedded Smart Card test. This allows users with Home Assistant installed to just tap their phone to active scenes. 
Wiring up the kitchen lights for Home Assistant mood lighting. Also controllable through GLaDOS Home Assistant app. 
Wiring up the kitchen lights for Home Assistant mood lighting. Also controllable through GLaDOS Home Assistant app. 
Finished PC setup with wirelessly controlled lights. 
Home Assistant GLaDOS Dashboard Controller Only 
Home Assistant Media Controller 
Home Assistant Rhasspy and Camera Setup 
Stream Deck GLaDOS Controlled by Home Assistant. 
Stream Deck main controls used to control my stream via PC. Uses Home Assistant running through VirtualBox to control my lights, sound equipment, cameras, maker-tools, and more. 
Stream Deck Stream Scenes. Controlled by Home Assistant. 
Stream Deck Maker. Controlls my 3D-printer, laser, soldering iron, and more. 
Servo automation for home assistant. There is one for each of the four servos. 
Servo automation for home assistant. There is one for each of the four servos. This is the node red end of things. 
Servo automation for home assistant. There is one for each of the four servos. This is the node red end of things. 
Servo automation for home assistant. There is one for each of the four servos. This is the node red end of things. 
Servo automation for home assistant. There is one for each of the four servos. This is the node red end of things. 
Servo automation for home assistant. There is one for each of the four servos. This is the node red end of things. 
Servo automation for home assistant. There is one for each of the four servos. This is the node red end of things. 
Servo automation for home assistant. There is one for each of the four servos. This is the node red end of things. 
Servo automation for home assistant. There is one for each of the four servos. This is the node red end of things. 
Servo automation for home assistant. There is one for each of the four servos. This is the node red end of things. 
Servo automation for home assistant. There is one for each of the four servos. This is the node red end of things.