The project is part of one of Microsoft’s projects called Hack the Home initiative that aims to offer open source, free components to users for smooth interfacing with services and devices that can be used for hacking their homes. The reason why a self-made projects are preferred is that these are pocket friendly, saves you from heavy professional installations, and permit complete customization and control as per the user’s’ requirements. Project Oxford from Microsoft offers makers better accessibility to facial recognition applications.
To pursue this project, you will need Raspberry Pi 2 Model B, Minnowboard MAX, a hafl size Perma-Proto Breadboard, Leviton 12-Volt DC Electric Door Strike, Adafruit Female DC Power Adapter, Microsoft Lifecam 3000, Adafruit 12V 5A Switching Power Supply, SainSmart 2-Channel 5V relay module, generic speakers, generic keyboard as well as mouse.
The project makes best use of web cam, a Raspberry Pi system, and internet to create a system that recognizes faces and unlocks itself automatically. For the initial setup of MBM, Raspberry Pi 2, and PC you can find instructions at: http://ms-iot.github.io/content/en-US/GetStarted.htm. Next, you will need to get your doorbell wired up and power relay as shown in the following picture. The power relay will play main role in locking and unlocking of door. Once you are done with this, you can wire up the similar power relay with the lock or the electric door strike as shown in the picture below. Now plugin your USB webcam, mouse, and keyboard in either the Raspberry Pi 2 or MBM.
For software setup, use, schematic, and code, check out the source link.
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