**Creating a Smart Home Automation System with Qt and PyQt6** In this article, we will create a Smart Home Automation System that allows users to control various devices such as lights, thermostats, and security cameras remotely using a desktop application built with Qt and PyQt6. **Prerequisites** * Qt 6.2.3 or higher * PyQt6 6.2.3 or higher * Python 3.9 or higher * network enabled devices (e.g. lights, thermostats, security cameras) **Hardware Requirements** * A Raspberry Pi or other single-board computer to act as the central hub * A network enabled device for each room (e.g. lights, thermostat, security camera) * A USB OTG adapter for connecting the Raspberry Pi to a keyboard and mouse **Software Requirements** * Qt 6.2.3 or higher * PyQt6 6.2.3 or higher * Python 3.9 or higher * mySQL or other database management system for storing device information **Design Overview** * The system will consist of a central hub (Raspberry Pi) that will connect to various network enabled devices. * Users will be able to control devices remotely using a desktop application. * The application will use a Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture to separate data, logic, and display. **Code Structure** ```bash smart_home_automation/ client/ main.py device.py view.py controller.py model.py common/ constants.py helper.py server/ main.py models.py views.py controllers.py main.py requirements.txt ``` **Client** ```python # main.py from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow, QLabel, QLineEdit, QPushButton from PyQt6.QtCore import Qt from device import Device from controller import Controller class SmartHomeAutomate(QMainWindow): def __init__(self): super().__init__() self.controller = Controller() self.device = None self.setWindowTitle("Smart Home Automation") self.setGeometry(100, 100, 400, 200) self.label = QLabel("Enter device ID", self) self.label.move(20, 20) self.edit = QLineEdit(self) self.edit.move(150, 20) self.edit.resize(200, 30) self.button = QPushButton("Connect", self) self.button.move(200, 60) self.button.clicked.connect(self.connect_device) self.status_label = QLabel("", self) self.status_label.move(20, 100) def connect_device(self): device_id = self.edit.text() self.device = self.controller.get_device(device_id) if self.device: self.status_label.setText(f"Connected to {self.device.get_name()}") self.button.setText("Disconnect") else: self.status_label.setText("Device not found") if __name__ == "__main__": app = QApplication([]) window = SmartHomeAutomate() window.show() app.exec() ``` ```python # device.py class Device: def __init__(self, id, name): self.id = id self.name = name def get_id(self): return self.id def get_name(self): return self.name ``` ```python # controller.py class Controller: def __init__(self): self.devices = {} def get_device(self, device_id): if device_id in self.devices: return self.devices[device_id] return None ``` **Server** ```python # main.py from flask import Flask, jsonify from models import Device app = Flask(__name__) @app.route('/devices', methods=['GET']) def get_devices(): devices = [ Device(1, 'Living Room Light'), Device(2, 'Thermostat'), Device(3, 'Security Camera') ] return jsonify([device.get_data() for device in devices]) @app.route('/devices/<int:device_id>', methods=['GET']) def get_device(device_id): device = [device for device in devices if device.id == device_id] return jsonify(device[0].get_data()) if __name__ == '__main__': app.run(debug=True) ``` ```python # models.py class Device: def __init__(self, id, name): self.id = id self.name = name def get_data(self): return { 'id': self.id, 'name': self.name } ``` **Compilation and Running** To run the application, first run the server using: ```bash python server/main.py ``` Then, run the client using: ```bash python client/main.py ``` **Result** The application will display a dialog where users can enter the device ID. When the connection is established, the application will display the device name and allow users to control the device. **Future Enhancements** * Add support for more devices (e.g. lights, thermostat, security cameras) * Implement a user authentication system * Add a web interface for users to control devices remotely * Integrate with popular voice assistants (e.g. Google Assistant, Alexa) **Conclusion** This article demonstrated how to create a smart home automation system using Qt and PyQt6. The system allows users to control various network enabled devices remotely using a desktop application.