Why sweat it out when there are automated devices you can build to make your life easier? Now more than ever, people are reusing old hardware to create smart gadgets that can handle various tasks effectively. This summer is the perfect time to try something new.

Here are fascinating DIY automation projects to keep you engaged.

1. Automated Medicine Reminder

When it comes to your loved ones, you always want them to stay fit and healthy. One of the best ways to do that is by ensuring they take medicine on time. Here’s an automatic medicine reminder you can create using Arduino.

The system works by sending SMS alerts. You’ll need materials such as push buttons, a buzzer, a breadboard, jumper wires, LED (any color), 10K Potentiometer, 1K resistors, and Arduino Uno.

2. Automated Restaurant Menu Ordering System

Nowadays, restaurants use automated systems to cut costs and to improve the efficiency of operations. With this project, you’ll need software tools like PROTEUS, PROGISP, and AVR Studio.

The programming technique isn’t too technical because you’ll be playing around with a few items and software. Customers can access the menu through the LCD while the keypad allows them to select their preferred items. Some of the materials needed include a microcontroller, ZIGBEE, LCD, and a keypad/ touch panel.

3. GSM Based Home Automation

Telecommunication standards such as GSM can be used to automate various functions and components in your home. You only need to decide whether you want the automation to be triggered by the internet, SMS, or Bluetooth. There’s no limit to how you can customize the setup.

For example, you may set up the GSM automation so that the system is triggered by an SMS such as “lights out” to turn off the connected lamps in your room.

4. ESP-32 IOT Home Automation

Exploring the Internet of Things (IoT) can give you brilliant summer project ideas that you need to try. With an app such as Blynk and a few manual switches, you can automate most of your living room and kitchen gadgets from a single account.

This project is not limited to home use since it can be modified to control electronic devices in your office as well. The most brilliant part of the setup is that you can monitor the real-time status of every switch connected to the ESP-32.

5. RPI Voice Recognition for IOT and Home Automation

If you’ve been thinking about automating your home so that you can use your voice to issue commands, here’s a project for you. You’ll realize that getting things done is easier than ever since the AIY sensors can be placed anywhere around your house.

The Raspberry Pi will act as your smart home device, meaning that you won’t need any third-party smartphone apps.

6. Arduino Industrial Automation

Working in an industrial setting and having to repeat a set of chores daily can be boring and frustrating. Arduino industrial automation can handle operations such as turning on air conditioning, controlling lights, or starting different machinery.

With industrial automation, you’ll discover just how much time is lost every time you handle some mundane tasks manually. Directing the saved time and productivity to actual work will change your perspective on microcontrollers and automation.

Read More: Creative Projects to Reuse an Old PC

7. 8051-Microcontroller to Control a DC Motor

Having a small robot at home to tackle basic tasks such as cleaning below furniture or playing with your pet can be quite fascinating. An 8051-microcontroller connected with various DC motors will help control the robot so that it doesn’t fall down the stairs or walk into a fire.

What’s cool about this hack is that it’ll allow you to gain more control over the robot through regulating the speed of the motor. The 8051 microcontrollers introduce a bunch of motion functionalities that are impossible on a standard DC Motor.

8. PC Automation Using Python

Performing repetitive tasks on your computer can be boring and time-consuming, but you can you can make your work easy with this handy project. PC owners can automate almost anything with Python, including sending emails or organizing files and folders.

Although the process is quite technical for non-developers, you can use step-by-step guides and videos to hack the process. Unlike Linux, the Windows operating system doesn’t include the Python language by default, so make sure you install it first.

9. AT89C51 Wireless Equipment Controller

With this project, you can remotely control four devices from a distance of up to 30 meters. Besides being a simple concept, it’s cost-effective. The block diagram has a transmitter section, software programming, receiver section, and circuitry assembly. The transmitter section comprises an 8-bit AT89C51 microcontroller, encoder IC (HT12E), and LCD module.

You can see the major program running inside the controller through the 16-character LCD module.

Related: Tips for Reusing Old Hardware

10. Home Automation Using Raspberry Pi and Google Assistant

Controlling home appliances through a voice input sounds cool, right? The project requires you to install Google Assistance on Raspberry Pi then attach it to a mic, which takes all voice commands.

Hardware requirements include a fan, motor, SD card, monitor, USB mic, bulb, Raspberry Pi, and a monitor. You’ll also need software like Google Assistance, Python, and a Raspberry Pi  OS. Creating a block diagram makes the process easier. With this project, you’ll gain the skills required to develop a more advanced smart home.

11. Speak and See Using Raspberry Pi

Here’s a chance to create a portable system that can see and speak. You’ll need a webcam, Raspberry Pi board, a headphone speaker, and a switch button. The system works by taking pictures around it through the webcam. It then speaks via the speaker connected to an audio jack.

Make Life Easier With DIY Automation Projects

With DIY tech projects, you express your creativity by reusing readily available resources that could otherwise end up in a landfill. It means a lot when you invest your time in making gadgets that help you handle your day-to-day operations more effectively.

In the process of experimenting, you learn a lot and get inspired to try other bigger projects in future.