HomeControl - Smart Home Automation System

A full-stack IoT home automation system with cross-platform mobile app, REST API backend, and ESP32 integration

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Features
• Architecture
• Tech Stack
• Mobile App
• Backend API
• IoT Integration
• Getting Started
• Screenshots
• Contributing

Overview

HomeControl is a comprehensive IoT-based home automation system that demonstrates proficiency in full-stack development, mobile app development, IoT programming, and system architecture. The project showcases integration between mobile applications, web services, databases, and hardware devices.

Key Highlights:

• Cross-platform mobile app built with React Native & Expo
• RESTful API backend with Java servlets and Hibernate ORM
• ESP32-based IoT device control via WiFi
• Real-time device status tracking and history logging
• Modern UI/UX with gradient designs and smooth animations

Features

Mobile Application

• Secure Authentication - Login system with password visibility toggle
• Device Control Interface - Intuitive controls for smart home devices
• Real-time Status Updates - Live device status monitoring
• History Tracking - Complete log of device state changes
• Responsive Design - Optimized for both iOS and Android platforms

Backend Services

• RESTful API - Clean API endpoints for device management
• Database Integration - Hibernate ORM with MySQL database
• Session Management - Secure user session handling
• Device Status Logging - Comprehensive activity tracking
• JSON Response Format - Standardized API responses

IoT Hardware Control

• WiFi Connectivity - ESP32-based device networking
• Real-time Control - Instant device response via HTTP requests
• Multi-device Support - Control multiple connected devices
• Status Feedback - Device state confirmation and reporting

Architecture

┌─────────────────┐    HTTP/REST    ┌─────────────────┐    JDBC    ┌─────────────────┐
│                 │    Requests     │                 │ Hibernate  │                 │
│  React Native   │◄───────────────►│  Java Servlet   │◄──────────►│   MySQL DB      │
│   Mobile App    │                 │    Backend      │            │                 │
│                 │                 │                 │            │                 │
└─────────────────┘                 └─────────────────┘            └─────────────────┘
                                              │
                                              │ HTTP Requests
                                              ▼
                                    ┌─────────────────┐
                                    │                 │
                                    │   ESP32 IoT     │
                                    │    Devices      │
                                    │                 │
                                    └─────────────────┘

Tech Stack

Frontend (Mobile App)

• React Native - Cross-platform mobile development
• Expo - Development platform and build tools
• Expo Router - File-based navigation system
• Vector Icons - FontAwesome icon library
• Linear Gradient - Modern UI styling
• FlashList - High-performance lists

Backend (API Server)

• Java - Core programming language
• Servlet API - HTTP request handling
• Hibernate ORM - Database abstraction layer
• MySQL - Relational database management
• Gson - JSON serialization/deserialization
• Apache Ant - Build automation

IoT Hardware

• ESP32 - WiFi-enabled microcontroller
• Arduino IDE - Development environment
• C/C++ - Embedded programming language

Development Tools

• NetBeans IDE - Java development environment
• VS Code - Code editing and debugging
• Git - Version control system

Mobile App

The mobile application provides an intuitive interface for controlling smart home devices:

Key Components:

• Authentication Screen (index.js) - Secure login with animated UI
• Home Dashboard (home.js) - Device overview and quick controls
• Device Controls (controls.js) - Detailed device management interface

Features:

• Secure pin-based authentication with visibility toggle
• Beautiful gradient UI with smooth animations
• Real-time device status updates
• Responsive design for all screen sizes
• Fast navigation with Expo Router

Backend API

RESTful API built with Java servlets providing comprehensive device management:

Endpoints:

• POST /LogIn - User authentication
• GET /SaveStatus - Update device status
• GET /LoadHistory - Retrieve device history
• GET /Test - API health check

Database Schema:

-- Core entities with relationships
Device (id, name)
Status (id, name)
History (id, device_id, status_id, datetime)
User (id, username, pin)

Features:

• Session-based authentication
• Comprehensive activity logging
• Real-time status updates
• Structured JSON responses
• Error handling and validation

IoT Integration

ESP32-based hardware control system:

Capabilities:

• WiFi connectivity for remote control
• Real-time HTTP request processing
• GPIO pin control for connected devices
• Support for lights, switches, and other appliances
• Bi-directional communication with backend

Hardware Setup:

Pin 12: Light Control 1
Pin 13: Light Control 2
WiFi: Network connectivity
HTTP Server: Port 80

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js and npm/yarn
• Expo CLI
• Java JDK 8+
• MySQL Server
• Arduino IDE
• ESP32 development board

Quick Setup

1. Mobile App Setup

cd HomeControlApp
npm install
npm start

2. Backend Setup

cd HomeControlBackEnd
# Configure database connection in hibernate.cfg.xml
# Deploy to Java application server (Tomcat/GlassFish)
ant build

3. IoT Device Setup

// Update WiFi credentials in home_control.ino
WiFi.begin("YOUR_WIFI_SSID", "YOUR_PASSWORD");
// Upload to ESP32 via Arduino IDE

4. Database Configuration

CREATE DATABASE homecontrol;
-- Run SQL scripts for table creation
-- Update hibernate.cfg.xml with your credentials

Configuration

Update the following configuration files:

• HomeControlApp/app/home.js - Backend API URL
• HomeControlBackEnd/src/java/hibernate.cfg.xml - Database connection
• HomeControlIOT/home_control.ino - WiFi credentials

Screenshots

Login Screen	Home Dashboard	Device Controls

Project Highlights

This project demonstrates:

System Architecture Skills

• Full-stack application design
• RESTful API architecture
• Database design and optimization
• IoT device integration

Technical Proficiency

• Cross-platform mobile development
• Java enterprise application development
• Embedded systems programming
• Database management and ORM

UI/UX Design

• Modern mobile interface design
• Responsive layouts and animations
• User experience optimization
• Accessibility considerations

Development Practices

• Version control with Git
• Modular code organization
• Error handling and validation
• Documentation and commenting

Future Enhancements

• Push notifications for device status changes
• Analytics dashboard with usage statistics
• Room-based device grouping
• Scheduled device automation
• Advanced user roles and permissions
• Widget support for quick controls
• Web dashboard interface
• Support for additional IoT protocols

Contributing

This project is part of my portfolio demonstrating full-stack development capabilities. While primarily for showcase purposes, suggestions and feedback are welcome!

Contact

For questions about this project or collaboration opportunities:

Developer: Abdur Rahman Hanas

• Email: nxt.genar7@gamil.com
• GitHub: gitxar7

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Built with passion to showcase full-stack development skills