The Frixos is an ESP32 daylight projector that connects to Home Assistant for ceiling displays. It can read and display Home Assistant entities to show time, weather, alarms, and more. You can either buy a full kit, 3D-print an enclosure and purchase the hardware, or build it from scratch.
The Frixos is an ESP32 daylight projector that connects to Home Assistant for ceiling displays. It can read and display Home Assistant entities to show time, weather, alarms, and more. You can either buy a full kit, 3D-print an enclosure and purchase the hardware, or build it from scratch.
Well, if you have an ESP32 sitting around and you're itching to hook it up to Home Assistant somehow, then I have the project for you. It's called the Frixos, and it's an ESP32-powered daylight projector that you can either purchase or make yourself.
The Frixos is a Home Assistant lover's best friend
Other than Home Assistant, of course
Over on the ESP32 subreddit, user msdiorin revealed what they've been working on for a few years now. Frixos is an ESP32-based projector that you can attach to your Home Assistant setup. It comes with Frixos Home Assistant Integration, which allows Home Assistant to detect your projector with minimal tinkering. Once it's on your network, you can then start doing some cool things with it.
You can grab a Home Assistant entity's state and display it via the projector, and you can combine several elements—the time, the weather, and when your next alarm will sound, for instance—into one scrolling message for brevity. You can also tell the projector to perform specific tasks, such as "dim the projection at sunset, show a welcome message when someone arrives home, [and] change fonts based on time of day."
In fact, with a little bit of tinkering, I believe you could make the Frixos do things beyond what the original maker planned. For instance, you could attach these ESPHome projects that make your smart home actually feel smart to Home Assistant, then use the projector to display statuses for your processes.
Getting Started with Frixos
The Frixos project offers multiple entry points depending on your skill level and preferences:
Full Kit Purchase: For those who want a plug-and-play experience, complete kits are available that include everything needed to get started. This is ideal for users who want the functionality without the DIY aspect.
DIY Assembly: If you enjoy building things yourself, you can 3D print the enclosure and purchase the individual components. This approach gives you more control over the final product and can be more cost-effective.
From Scratch: For the truly adventurous, building from scratch allows complete customization. You'll need to source all components, design or modify the enclosure, and handle the assembly yourself.
Technical Specifications
The Frixos leverages the ESP32's capabilities to create a daylight-visible projection system. The ESP32 serves as the brain of the operation, handling WiFi connectivity, Home Assistant integration, and display management.
Key features include:
- Home Assistant Integration: Native support through the Frixos Home Assistant Integration
- Entity Display: Can read and display any Home Assistant entity state
- Custom Messages: Create scrolling messages combining multiple data points
- Automation Support: Trigger actions based on time, events, or conditions
- Font Customization: Change fonts based on time of day or user preference
Practical Applications
The Frixos opens up numerous possibilities for smart home enthusiasts:
Information Display: Project time, weather, calendar events, or any Home Assistant entity directly onto your ceiling or wall.
Status Monitoring: Keep track of important system states like security system status, energy consumption, or water leak detection.
Welcome Messages: Display personalized greetings when family members arrive home or special messages for guests.
Ambient Information: Show subtle notifications or status updates without requiring you to check your phone or computer.
Customization and Expansion
One of the most exciting aspects of the Frixos is its potential for customization. The open nature of both the ESP32 platform and Home Assistant means you can extend the functionality far beyond the original design.
Consider these possibilities:
- Integration with ESPHome Projects: Connect the Frixos to other ESPHome devices in your smart home ecosystem
- Custom Display Logic: Create complex rules for when and how information is displayed
- Multi-Projector Setups: Coordinate multiple Frixos units throughout your home
- Voice Control: Add voice command capabilities through Home Assistant's voice assistant integrations
Community and Support
The Frixos project has generated significant interest in the Home Assistant and ESP32 communities. The original creator, msdiorin, has been actively engaging with users and providing support.
For those interested in building their own or learning more, the project documentation and community discussions can be found on the ESP32 subreddit and related Home Assistant forums.
Conclusion
The Frixos represents an innovative approach to smart home displays, leveraging the power and flexibility of the ESP32 platform and Home Assistant ecosystem. Whether you're looking for a simple way to display time and weather or want to create complex, automated information displays, the Frixos offers a compelling solution.
With options ranging from complete kits to full DIY builds, there's an entry point for every skill level and interest. As the project continues to evolve and the community contributes new ideas and implementations, the Frixos is likely to become an increasingly versatile tool in the smart home enthusiast's arsenal.
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