# 4 cool projects you can do with Home Assistant on Raspberry Pi

> Turn a Raspberry Pi into a smart home hub that texts you when laundry is done and plays movies with NFC cards.
- Title: 4 cool projects you can do with Home Assistant on Raspberry Pi
- Summary: Turn a Raspberry Pi into a smart home hub that texts you when laundry is done and plays movies with NFC cards. Home Assistant is free, open-source software…
- Keywords: home assistant, raspberry pi, smart home automation, nfc tags, smart plugs, location-based automation, open-source software, home automation projects, iot devices, diy smart home, technology, cool
- Source: Engadget — https://engadget.com/2257816/cool-projects-home-assistant-raspberry-pi
- Author: Husain Parvez
- Published: 2026-09-19T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: home assistant, raspberry pi, smart home automation, nfc tags, smart plugs, location-based automation, open-source software, home automation projects, iot devices, diy smart home, technology
## Home Assistant turns Raspberry Pi into a smart home brain
Home Assistant is free, open-source software with over 1,500 integrations that works on Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with 2GB RAM and a 32GB microSD card. No subscriptions required.
## NFC cards become your physical music library
Assign NFC stickers to movies or playlists, then scan them with your phone to trigger playback. Advanced builders use 3D-printed cartridges with dedicated NFC readers for instant movie selection.

> Streaming is wonderfully convenient until movie night becomes 15 minutes of scrolling.
## Plugging in your phone triggers bedtime
Home Assistant detects when your phone is charging and can automatically turn off lights, close blinds, and adjust the thermostat. Add time conditions so 3PM charging doesn't trigger bedtime.
## Smart plugs tell you when laundry is done
A power-monitoring smart plug watches your washing machine's electricity use and sends a notification when the cycle finishes. Works with dishwashers, rice cookers, and coffee makers too.

> The key is to monitor your own device rather than take someone else's wattage threshold and hope for the best.
## Your phone reminds you of your shopping list at the store
Home Assistant uses location data from your phone to trigger a notification when you arrive at a saved store, showing your shopping list instantly. You can customize which stores trigger which lists.
## Automations use conditions to avoid false triggers
Home Assistant lets you add conditions like time of day or whether you're home to prevent unwanted automations. Without conditions, your 3PM phone charge could accidentally trigger your bedtime routine.
## No special hardware needed to get started
If you already own a Raspberry Pi and smart devices, you can set up Home Assistant for free using the visual editor. No soldering iron, 3D printer, or coding knowledge required.
## Location tracking has privacy tradeoffs
Location-based automations require sharing your location data, but the Companion app lets you restrict what it shares. You can use Zone Name Only mode if exact coordinates feel like overkill.
## Key takeaway

Home Assistant is free, open-source software that runs on cheap hardware and can automate almost anything in your home without subscriptions or paywalls.