BUILD YOUR OWN IOT HUB
Run a private, always-on smart-home hub on Raspberry Pi
Turn a Raspberry Pi into the local brain for smart-home and IoT projects with MQTT, dashboards, Python services, camera, alerts, and device orchestration.
Created by Marco Schwartz
A clear result, not another playlist
What you will learn
- Run Raspberry Pi projects reliably as services
- Host local dashboards and APIs
- Use MQTT as a device message bus
- Trigger alerts from sensor data
- Use the Pi camera in automation workflows
- Design a local smart-home hub architecture
Your finished project
Finish the course able to run Raspberry Pi projects reliably as services.
Step-by-step learning path
Course curriculum
3 sections / 9 lessons
1Local Hub Setup3 lessons
- Prepare the Pi for always-on project use01
- Install and configure MQTT broker basicsPreview02
- Create project folders, logs, and services03
2Dashboards and Devices3 lessons
- Build a local Python dashboard01
- Receive sensor data from devices02
- Control GPIO or network outputs from the hub03
3Monitoring and Alerts3 lessons
- Add camera or motion monitoring workflows01
- Trigger notifications from events02
- Back up and recover the hub configuration03
See how the course teaches
Try a lesson before enrolling
Open the public lesson directly on this page. No account or payment is required.
Designed for practical progress
About this course
A system-building course for makers who want a Raspberry Pi to coordinate home automation devices. Students set up reliable services, run local dashboards, host MQTT, receive device data, trigger alerts, use camera workflows, and control GPIO or network devices.
Learn from experience
Meet your instructor
Marco Schwartz
Maker educator and electronics & IoT instructor
Marco Schwartz teaches practical electronics, embedded programming, and connected-device projects. His courses help makers move from wiring and firmware to dependable Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, MQTT, Node-RED, and home automation systems they can understand, troubleshoot, and extend.
- 15+ years of electronics and maker education
Student results
What learners are saying
4.7 from 3 stories
“Everything came together in this course! My Pi is now the hub for my entire smart home, and it all runs locally. The lessons were clear and the projects genuinely useful.”
“Fantastic from start to finish. If you've got a Pi and a bunch of smart devices that don't talk to each other, this course is the answer. Couldn't be happier!”
“Great course with lots of practical value. A few sections assume some prior Pi experience, so beginners might want to take the basics course first. Otherwise, excellent!”
Before you start
Requirements
- Raspberry Pi basics
- Raspberry Pi with reliable power
- Network access
- Basic Python comfort recommended
A good fit for
Who this course is for
- Makers who want a structured path into Raspberry Pi
- Learners who prefer building real projects over watching disconnected tutorials
- Developers and hobbyists who want practical troubleshooting experience
Answers before you enroll
Frequently asked questions
Is this course suitable for beginners?
Yes. The course is designed for beginner learners and builds each skill in a deliberate sequence.
What do I need before starting?
You will need Raspberry Pi basics, Raspberry Pi with reliable power, Network access, Basic Python comfort recommended.
Can I learn at my own pace?
Yes. Start after checkout and return to the course whenever you are ready to continue.
What if the course is not a good fit?
Contact Makecademy support within 14 days of purchase. We will review the request and issue a refund when the course is not a suitable fit.
Ready to build it?
Start Raspberry Pi Smart Home and IoT Hub today
Follow a clear path from the first setup step to a finished project you can explain, troubleshoot, and extend.
$29
Enroll nowA practical 14-day guarantee
Start the course and review the learning path. If it is not the right fit, contact us within 14 days and we will help make it right.