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RailsConf 2019 - Automate your Home with Ruby by Karl Entwistle

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With the increasing number of home automation devices, our homes are getting smarter and smarter. How can Ruby help?

Instead of installing separate apps to control my many devices, I wanted to use HomeKit via Siri and the pre-installed Home app on any iOS device, for one unified experience.

This is a talk about how I created the first ever Ruby library for the HomeKit accessory protocol to bridge the gap between different platforms and just some of the exciting possibilities this could unleash.

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In the talk "Automate your Home with Ruby" presented by Karl Entwistle at RailsConf 2019, the focus was on leveraging Ruby to create a unified platform for controlling various smart home devices. With the increasing popularity of home automation gadgets, many users often face the challenge of having multiple applications to manage different devices. Karl shares his experience of transforming his home into a smart environment and the limitations he encountered with existing solutions.

Key points discussed in the talk include:  
- **Smart Home Motivation**: After moving into a new house in Bristol, Karl's goal was to automate his home using smart devices like Philips Hue light bulbs and smart thermostats.  
- **Multiple Applications Issue**: The challenge arose as each device required its own application—resulting in nine different apps with no interoperability between them.  
- **HomeKit as a Solution**: Karl discusses Apple’s HomeKit, a software framework that enables smart home devices to work seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem. HomeKit supports voice commands via Siri for easy control.  
- **Limitations of HomeKit**: While some devices work with HomeKit, others do not, requiring users to replace their existing gadgets—something Karl was reluctant to do.  
- **Creating a Ruby Library**: After realizing no Ruby library existed for HomeKit, Karl took the initiative to create one, named Ruby Home. He details the technical challenges, including navigating Apple’s HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP) documentation.  
- **Technical Overview**: The process involved understanding and implementing multicast DNS for service discovery, establishing a custom HTTP server to handle requests, managing unique tokens for secure communication, and the complexities of unsolicited HTTP responses for device notifications.  
- **Demonstration of Ruby Home**: Karl provides practical examples of how to set up devices, including a fan and soundbar, using only a few lines of Ruby code. He showcases the ability to control these devices through the Home app and via Siri, demonstrating the seamless integration Ruby Home provides.  
- **Final Takeaways**: The talk emphasizes the importance of breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, encouraging developers to be the change they wish to see in the world by creating tools that enhance user experience in home automation.

In conclusion, Karl’s talk illustrates the potential of Ruby in home automation, showcasing a practical approach to bridge the gap between various devices and ecosystem limitations, ultimately making home management simpler and more cohesive.

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