Dive deep into the world of advanced self hosting and Home Assistant automation! We recently sat down with Andrej on the Home Assistant Podcast to explore his groundbreaking smart home setup and the journey behind PokyPow, an innovative ESP-based device. Discover how this project empowers DIY smart home enthusiasts to achieve seamless local PC control and unlock new levels of automation. Get ready to be inspired by creative solutions and a community-driven approach to smart living.
Elevating Your Smart Home: An Interview with a Self-Hosting Innovator
We’re thrilled to share insights from a recent episode of the Home Assistant Podcast, featuring Andrej, a prominent voice in the self hosting community. This wasn’t just any chat; it was an engaging exploration into the possibilities of truly personalized home automation, recorded in May 2025.
The discussion delved into Andrej’s personal smart home journey, showcasing how he leverages Home Assistant automation to create remarkably clever and practical solutions. From a unique relationship point system to an ingenious cat doorbell, these automations exemplify the power of a custom, self-hosted setup. For any DIY smart home enthusiast, these examples offer tangible inspiration for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Introducing PokyPow: The Future of Local PC Control
A highlight of the podcast was the deep dive into PokyPow, Andrej’s innovative ESP-based device designed to integrate your PC seamlessly into your Home Assistant ecosystem. This project addresses a common desire among self hosting users: robust, local PC control without relying on cloud services. PokyPow enables remote power management and monitoring of your computer, opening up a realm of possibilities.
Beyond Basic Control: Practical Applications
Imagine the convenience: power on your gaming rig from your phone before you even get home, or set up automated shutdowns to save energy. Beyond convenience, PokyPow offers practical features like a Child Lock for kids’ PCs, giving parents granular control over screen time directly from their Home Assistant dashboard. This level of integration truly enhances the utility of your smart home.
A recent trend in the self hosting community is leveraging low-power ARM devices like Raspberry Pis or ESP32s for network-wide ad blocking (e.g., Pi-hole) or as dedicated Home Assistant nodes. PokyPow perfectly complements this by bringing your main PC into the same secure, local control paradigm, eliminating the need for separate wake-on-LAN solutions or complex scripts.
Community Validation and What’s Next for PokyPow
The enthusiasm for PokyPow is undeniable. Following the podcast’s airing, the CrowdSupply waitlist saw a significant surge, adding approximately 40 new sign-ups and pushing the total well past the 500-person mark. This incredible community support, evident in the "Signups over time" trend, underscores the demand for open-source, self hosting-friendly solutions that deliver real value.
If you’re eager to take control of your PC with Home Assistant, or looking for an elegant Child Lock solution, we encourage you to join the growing community. Share this exciting development with friends or colleagues who value robust local PC control and the endless possibilities of a DIY smart home. Your interest helps bring innovative projects like PokyPow to fruition.
PokyPow
Remotely power and monitor your computer with Home Assistant
FAQ
Question 1: What is PokyPow and how does it benefit Home Assistant users?
Answer 1: PokyPow is an innovative ESP-based device designed for `local PC control` through Home Assistant. It allows you to remotely power on/off, monitor, and manage your computer, integrating it seamlessly into your `self hosting` smart home setup without relying on external cloud services. This opens up advanced `Home Assistant automation` possibilities for your PC.
Question 2: Can PokyPow be used for parental control?
Answer 2: Absolutely! One of PokyPow’s key features is its ability to implement a robust Child Lock on any PC connected. Parents can set up automated schedules or manual controls directly from their Home Assistant dashboard, offering precise management over screen time and access for kids.
Question 3: Where can I learn more about PokyPow and join the community?
Answer 3: You can find more details about PokyPow and its development, as well as join the waitlist, on the CrowdSupply platform. Engaging with the Home Assistant community and staying updated on Andrej’s work on the Home Assistant Podcast are also great ways to connect with fellow `DIY smart home` enthusiasts.