After setting up dozens of Internet of Things (IoT) smart home devices, I started to wonder: how hard could it be to build one from scratch?
I needed a project to learn on, so I decided to create something fun: a device that alerts my neighbors when my kids go swimming, extending the invitation for their kids to come swim too.
What follows are the lessons I learned from building such an IoT device from scratch.
Demo and Code
Here's a short video demoing the device and its features:
Watch this video on YouTube
The instructions and code for building your own Splashflag can be found at the bottom of this post, otherwise keep reading to learn about my journey in building the device.
Why SplashFlag?
How many times can you play Marco Polo in a pool with an adult and two kids? I know that my kids far prefer the company of their friends who have a lot more energy.
Originally our idea was to put up a special "we're swimming" flag outside in our front yard when our kids were in the pool, alerting the neighbors that they are welcome to come over and swim as well. The flag would be an open invitation, without the overhead of planning, group texts, and phone calls.
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