Share My Creation Home Assistant Workbook Experiments

Hi All,

to share my, work in progress, GitHub repository Home Assistant Workbook Experiments.

Hawe (short for Home Assistant Workbook Experiments) is an open, hands-on learning project designed to explore and experiment with micro-controllers and connected components — with a focus on learning MicroPython, B4R, and integrating with Home Assistant.

Started experimenting with the Raspberry Pi Pico & MicroPython, now developing some experiments with ESP32 and B4R.

Thank You,
Rob

 

[Cableguy]

Can I assume that you have successfully integrated a B4R device into Home Assistant? That is HUGE!

 

[rwblinn]

Can I assume that you have successfully integrated a B4R device into Home Assistant? That is HUGE!

YES indeed using MQTT Discovery. Has been tedious to understand, but once clear, easy to integrate a device.

A funny one currently in progress is to control a LEGO® Train.

• ESP-WROOM-32 & B4R > MQTT Discovery Config Messages (at ESP boot).
• Home Assistant Entities > MQTT Control message > ESP-WROOM-32 & B4R > IR Transmitter > LEGO® PF IR Receiver > LEGO® PF Train Motor.

EDIT: LEGO® train first version ready = See Post #5.

 

[Cableguy]

Please please please, do share a video of the final result, including HA dashboard... what a great post it will be for our FaceBook group!!!
I could even spread it thought some HA group I lurk!

 

[rwblinn]

Update 20250723

• NEW: B4R Lego Train - control a LEGO® train with Power Functions motor, lights & IR receiver.
  Note: I am not using Facebook but feel free to share.
• Short video train in action (needs to be downloaded).
  
  Prototype
  
  
  
  
  
  Home Assistant Lovelace Dashboard
  
  
  

 

[Cableguy]

Any chance of having a small video ?

 

[rwblinn]

Any chance of having a small video ?

Created a very short video (needs to be downloaded) = bit hard driving but anyhow it shows the train is moving ...
Have also updated the B4R code - improved boot MQTT discovery topics handling, headlight on after boot OK, and some more.
Now up to the next Hawe Experiment ...