Hello, Home Assistant enthusiasts!
I’m excited to introduce a new project designed specifically with the Home Assistant and ESPHome communities in mind: the Hornet Nest Alarm Panel! This device aims to bridge the gap between traditional wired security systems and the flexibility of modern smart home automation. If you’re a DIYer who loves control over every detail of your security setup or just someone looking for a reliable solution to integrate multiple zones into Home Assistant, this might be exactly what you’re looking for.
What is the Hornet Nest Alarm Panel?
The Hornet Nest Alarm Panel is a PoE-enabled (or externally powered) security panel featuring:
- 42 optoisolated zones/inputs for maximum security and customizability.
- 3 relay outputs for activating or deactivating 12V devices.
- A pre-flashed wESP32 to make integration seamless with ESPHome and Home Assistant.
- 3-12V DC trigger input support to cover additional automation needs.
- Full compatibility with both PoE and external power configurations for flexibility.
I’ve designed this with the DIY security enthusiast in mind—it’s a plug-and-play solution that maintains open-source principles, allowing the community to expand and modify its functionalities as they see fit. It also features onboard thermal heat sinking to keep the microcontroller cool during heavy use.
How It Solves Problems for Home Assistant Users
For many of us, integrating traditional alarm systems or large numbers of sensors into a smart home setup has required multiple devices or pricey commercial solutions with limited zones. The Hornet Nest Alarm Panel is designed to replace multiple boards by offering 42 customizable zones, simplifying complex security installations and providing unparalleled control through ESPHome and Home Assistant.
Early Adopters & Community Involvement
The Hornet Nest is still in its final stages, and we’re launching soon on Crowd Supply. We’d love to have early adopters and enthusiasts test and provide feedback to help refine the project. This is where the Home Assistant community shines, and we’re excited to bring you into the development process as we grow.
Open-Source & Customizable
Keeping it open-source is a priority. We’ll be releasing the full ESPHome YAML configuration and the board’s schematics under both the GNU General Public License (GPL) and the MIT License. This way, everyone in the community can modify, distribute, and even build upon the Hornet Nest to fit unique use cases.
If you’re interested in learning more, following the project, or even getting involved as a tester or early adopter, visit our pre-launch page on Crowd Supply here.
Thanks for taking the time to check out the Hornet Nest Alarm Panel! Your insights, questions, and feedback would be invaluable in making this the best security panel for Home Assistant and ESPHome. Looking forward to connecting with the community and hearing your thoughts!
Best,
Christopher Greenlee
Technology Automation Consulting LLC