Home Assistant Launches $99 Green Device to Bring Open-Source, Privacy-Focused Smart Home Control to the Masses

Home Assistant Green is a new $99 product aimed at making the powerful, open-source home automation software more accessible. It comes preloaded with Home Assistant.

Home Assistant started 10 years ago when the founder wanted more flexibility with his Philips Hue lights. It's grown to a team of 28 and is the 2nd most active project on GitHub.

The goal with Home Assistant Green is to appeal to "outgrowers" who hit limitations with products from Amazon, Google, etc. and want openness.

Home Assistant focuses strictly on the home, not expanding to hotels, offices, etc. The team believes a home is only "smart" when devices work together under unified control.

While Home Assistant caters to enthusiasts now, the hope is the new Green device makes onboarding easier so more mainstream users can enjoy privacy-focused, customizable smart homes.