Hi everyone, I wanted to share an exciting DIY project I recently completed that has completely transformed how my family manages our schedule. After seeing several commercial smart calendar options advertised, my wife was ready to spend over $300 on one. Before giving in, I decided to research if I could create something similar using our existing Home Assistant setup and some repurposed hardware. The result? A fully functional, customizable smart calendar that’s integrated seamlessly with our smart home ecosystem!
The core of the project relies on an unused mini PC and a touchscreen monitor. I chose the HP Engage 16T model due to its built-in webcam, microphone, and speakers, which opened up future upgrade possibilities. The calendar interface leverages Home Assistant’s browser mod, week planner card, and custom cards to create an intuitive and visually appealing dashboard.
One of the biggest challenges was ensuring the calendar could sync with multiple Google Calendars while allowing for easy filtering by family member. I implemented a regex-based filtering system that dynamically shows or hides events based on user input. This feature has been invaluable for quickly switching between different family members’ schedules.
The project has exceeded my expectations in terms of functionality and aesthetics. It now serves as our central family calendar hub, complete with weather integration, event creation capabilities, and even future plans for task management and smart home controls. Best of all, it cost a fraction of what a commercial option would have, and we avoided any recurring subscription fees.
I’d love to hear if anyone else has undertaken similar projects or has suggestions for further enhancements. Happy hacking! 