Engineering Documentation
How Homies builds hardware locally.
Most smart devices rely on fragile cloud servers and generic mass-produced boards. Homies replaces manual hardware prototyping with an automated pipeline for custom PCBs, tailored firmware, and parametric 3D housings.
1. The Hardware Synthesis Pipeline
Automated PCB Builder
Analyzes your sensor load and produces production-ready Gerber layouts, netlists, and bill of materials under $3. Eliminates manual breadboard wiring.
Automated Code Builder
Compiles rock-solid C++ and embedded Rust firmware with pre-wired FreeRTOS tasks, local MQTT topics, and fail-safe watchdog interlocks.
Case CAD Builder
Engineered with our Terrarium CAD agent. Generates parametric 3D-printable snap-fit housings with thermal ventilation and sealed cable grommets.
2. Supported Microcontroller Targets
Homies generates code and PCB footprints for multiple silicon families to match specific electrical and environmental requirements:
ESP32-C3 RISC-V (Pilot Target)
Single-core 32-bit RISC-V @ 160 MHz with integrated 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5 (LE). Features hardware cryptographic acceleration (AES-128/256, RSA) and low power deep-sleep modes. Ideal for distributed indoor aquaponics and living space monitors.
Raspberry Pi Pico W (RP2040 / RP2350)
Dual ARM Cortex-M0+ (or dual Hazard3 RISC-V on RP2350). The 8 Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines provide cycle-accurate deterministic pulse generation for peristaltic dosing pumps, nutrient dispensers, and flow counters without CPU blocking.
STM32 Industrial (STM32F4 / STM32G4)
High-performance ARM Cortex-M4 with hardware floating-point unit (FPU). Designed for commercial aquaponics installations requiring CAN-FD bus communication, RS-485 Modbus telemetry, and electrical noise immunity near large submersible water pumps.
3. Local Telemetry & Hardware Safety
Local-First MQTT Broker
All communications run through an embedded Go MQTT broker on the local home network. Average round-trip latency is 3.8ms with zero data transmission to external third-party cloud analytics.
Isolated Hardware Watchdog
A dedicated 1000ms pulse channel on GPIO 6 can cold-reset external sensor buses and power rails without halting the main microcontroller, keeping plant hydration and aeration uninterrupted.
Ready to build your smart habitat?
Join our pilot developer batch and get the open firmware.