Best way to integrate everything (Bosch, Hue, Homematic...)?

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Hi there!

I am new to Home Assistant.
I got some IoT Stuff in my flat and would like to get in one Dash. Therefore I installed HomeAssistant as a VM on my UNRAID.

I own Homematic IP with Bridge (heating thermostats, window contacts, thermometer), a Nuki Lock Pro 4.0 (without Bridge), a Bosch Dish Washer with WiFi and a Bosch Oven with WiFi (without Bridge), a Velux Integra Shutter (without Bridge), Philips Hue Lamps (with Bridge).

What is the best way to integrate all this Stuff? I’ve already installed HACS and integrated my dreame vacu.
Do I have to buy all these bridges? Can I emulate them and add an USB-Stick to connect to them?

Thanks a lot,
Schlotti the Noob

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You don’t necessarily need to buy extra bridges for everything. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Hue: Perfect, you’ve already got the bridge for this.
  • Homematic IP: This also uses its own bridge, but it can control other Zigbee devices like your Nuki lock (assuming it’s the Zigbee version).
  • Bosch Appliances & Velux Shutter: These might need their own bridges, but check if they work with Zigbee first. You could potentially connect them to your Homematic IP bridge if so.

Emulation with USB sticks can be tricky for beginners. For now, focus on using the existing bridges you have and exploring Zigbee compatibility.

There are plenty of resources here to help you get started with each integration.

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Look here: https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/ and here for lists of devices that are tested compatible with Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA Database of Zigbee devices compatible with ZHA, Tasmota, Zigbee2MQTT, deCONZ, ZiGate and ioBroker.

I would recommend a network based coordinator instead of a USB one (more placement friendly, more functionality and makes you hardware-independent from your HA installation).

With Z2M or ZHA you can consolidate your bridges into one single coordinator + software, depending on the device support.

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For your Bosch devices, check

For velux:

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Homematic is not Zigbee, but its own proprietary protocol.
It is however quite well integrated into HA.
You will need either a CCU unit from Homematic or you can run a virtual CCU, like RaspberryMatic or Debmatic.
If you choose to run a virtual CCU, then you need a radio device, which comes in several variants, like hats for Raspberry Pis and USB sticks.

I can recommend this.
https://de.elv.com/elv-homematic-ip-arr-bausatz-rf-usb-stick-fuer-alternative-steuerungsplattformen-hmip-rfusb-fuer-smart-home-hausautomation-152306

There is a Telekom version too, which usually have a -TK in the end of the model designation.
This version works somewhat, but it is not thoroughly tested and I recommend to avoid it.

You can see other option in the debmatic GitHub page. Its in english, but Google translate should be easy enough to understand the models and then search more info on them.

In HACS you should be able to find homematic_local, which is a far better implementation than the official one and danielperna is extremely active in maintaining it.

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