> I have this idea of a system I would like to have in my house. It contains cameras in every room that are constantly watching where people are and relaying the coordinates to a central server. That server makes decisions on if lights should be on or if A/C should be running in that room. But I would never buy this system. I would have to make it myself. I am hopeful that open source software and hardware can produce individual components that I can trust to piece together.
You don't need cameras for that, just motion sensors.
> That server makes decisions on if lights should be on...in that room.
You don't need a server for that, just a motion-sensing switch. They can be totally offline. My office has them to shut off lights automatically when a conference room becomes unoccupied.
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Wiring-Devices-Light-...
It can get annoying if you're not moving much, but the key point is: no camera or server required.
> That server makes decisions on...if A/C should be running in that room.
Ecobee thermostats can already do that using motion/temperature sensors. They run fine without an internet connection.
https://www.ecobee.com/room-sensors/
You don't need cameras for that, just motion sensors.
> That server makes decisions on if lights should be on...in that room.
You don't need a server for that, just a motion-sensing switch. They can be totally offline. My office has them to shut off lights automatically when a conference room becomes unoccupied.
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Wiring-Devices-Light-...
It can get annoying if you're not moving much, but the key point is: no camera or server required.
> That server makes decisions on...if A/C should be running in that room.
Ecobee thermostats can already do that using motion/temperature sensors. They run fine without an internet connection.
https://www.ecobee.com/room-sensors/