Guidance for setting up multiple custom buttons for one room

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Hi, would love some general guidance on if i’m heading down the right path or if there is something else that I would be unaware of.

Setup is for my disabled son, basically need 5-6 switches that for example turn on TV / hdmi 1. Another to wake on LAN a computer. Another to poweron a smartplug etc.

Just natural way I went to would be using raspberry pi and then using the GPOI headers for each switch & then using home assistant to script each of the actions (know for example would need way to send IR for my examples)

This the correct pathway that you would use or is there some otherway that I should look at?

Thanks for any responses

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Raspberry Pi with GPIO:
  • You can use GPIO pins to interface with physical buttons or switches.
  • Home Assistant is great for scripting actions like turning on a TV, sending IR signals, or toggling a smart plug.
IR Control:
  • To send IR signals, you’d need an IR transmitter connected to the Raspberry Pi.
  • Libraries like lirc or devices like the Broadlink IR Blaster (integrated with Home Assistant) are common solutions.
Wake-on-LAN (WOL):
  • This is straightforward with Home Assistant; it supports WOL natively.
Smart Plugs:
  • You’d integrate the plug with Home Assistant (using the manufacturer’s integration, MQTT, or ESPHome).

Alternative Approaches

ESP32 or ESP8266-Based Solutions
  • Devices like ESP32 or ESP8266 are inexpensive microcontrollers that can handle multiple button inputs and integrate seamlessly with Home Assistant via ESPHome or MQTT.
  • Pros:
  • Cheaper than a Raspberry Pi.
  • Wireless connectivity built-in.
  • Great for dedicated tasks (e.g., triggering IR or WOL).
  • Cons:
  • Less computational power than a Raspberry Pi.
Pre-Made Smart Remotes
  • Devices like the Logitech Harmony Hub or Broadlink RM4 can handle IR signals and integrate with Home Assistant.
  • You can script all actions (IR, WOL, plugs) through Home Assistant and trigger them via a single remote or Home Assistant dashboard.
Smart Dashboards or Tablets
  • Use a wall-mounted tablet or smartphone running a Home Assistant dashboard with large, accessible buttons.
  • Combine this with the Home Assistant automations you’ve described.
  • Pros:
  • Clean interface.
  • No wiring required.
  • Cons:
  • More expensive than physical switches.

If you’re comfortable with a Raspberry Pi, your plan is solid. Add an IR transmitter and ensure GPIO buttons are stable and safe.