Home Assistant Enthusiast Creates a Real-Time Pokémon-Inspired Dashboard for Their Smart Home
Many enthusiasts showcase their Home Assistant dashboards, and it’s easy to admire the impressive 3D models of homes that help control smart devices. Setting one up can seem daunting, but a particular user has crafted a remarkable home dashboard that has piqued my interest in trying it myself.
A pixel-art dashboard inspired by Pokémon
A creative representation of the user’s home
Countless users have designed 3D floor plans that serve as interactive dashboards. Utilizing tools like Sweet Home 3D or Blender, they create custom layouts by arranging walls, doors, and furniture, adding realism with light variations. While 3D representations are impressive, a simpler 2D version created by a user called u/anonym9173 takes creativity to another level.
This dashboard features a top-down pixel-art design mirroring the user’s home, including all the rooms, doors, and furnishings, crafted in the nostalgic style of classic Pokémon games. The result is visually stunning.
The creator dedicated a significant amount of time to building the design using GIMP, utilizing RPG tile sets along with custom icons for unique pieces like a TV stand. An experimental approach using AI for image generation may also speed up similar projects.
Real-time interaction with the dashboard
Lights and devices that sync with the real world
This exceptional Pokémon-themed dashboard is not just aesthetically pleasing; it functions as a real-time smart home monitor, accurately reflecting the status of different devices.
In a video shared on Reddit, the creator demonstrates how presence sensors trigger lights to turn on automatically when moving through spaces such as the hallway and living room.
As lights activate, the dashboard updates almost immediately, illuminating in sync with the real-world lighting. Users can easily discern which lights are on at a glance.
– Additionally, when the creator turns on the TV with a snap of their fingers, the dashboard changes the pixel-art TV display from black to a vibrant pixel image, indicating that the device is in use.
Remarkably, presence sensors can also distinguish between two computers in the same room, illuminating only the screen of the computer being used while the other remains dark.
Daytime and nighttime views of the dashboard
Automatic view switching
The video showcases two distinct views of the dashboard: one for daytime and one for nighttime. The daytime view is bright and illuminated, whereas the nighttime presentation has a darker aesthetic, highlighting only the areas where lights are active.
The dashboard creatively auto-switches between day and night modes based on sunrise and sunset, enhancing usability by making it easier to identify the current status of devices during evening hours when most lights are off.
This feature is practical, enabling users to quickly confirm whether lights or devices are still powered on before heading to bed.
Interactive controls for the dashboard
Touch controls for all devices
This interactive dashboard not only alerts users about devices left on but also allows them to control those devices directly from the dashboard.
By tapping on the icons representing lights or other devices, users can effortlessly switch them on or off. The interface cleverly conceals clickable buttons under a transparent overlay, maintaining the charming Pokémon aesthetic. Long-pressing on items reveals additional control options.
Even televisions can be managed through the dashboard; selecting the TV icon prompts a virtual remote interface for controlling the device from afar.
My temptation for a personal dashboard
Although I generally don’t use dashboards for smart home management, this innovation has sparked my curiosity. I’m particularly drawn to the idea of creating a Zelda-themed version of my own home, although I’m a bit concerned it might lead me to start smashing all the vases in sight.
