Chapter 8
Curtain Automation

One of the more frequent effects in science fiction movies about home life is the autonomous opening and closing of curtains and window shades. Well, the future is here and it’s about to get more evenly distributed. In this project, we will construct a system that will open and close curtains based on light and temperature. When the heat goes up, the curtains close. Likewise, when the sun comes up, the curtains open (Figure 29, ​Automate curtains and shades​).

To bring motion to this solution, our primary hardware component will be a stepper motor, a continuous rotational engine that will be driven by an Arduino to spin a certain number of revolutions clockwise and counterclockwise. When the shaft of the stepper motor is connected to a curtain string and pulley system, the motor will open and close the curtains accordingly.

Let’s take a look at the other supplies we will need to build this project.

---

Figure 29. Automate curtains and shades ...depending on light and temperature.