Automation is defined as the application and creation of technologies that build and deliver goods and services with as little human intervention as possible. The benefits of automation are reliability and efficiency. Many tasks can now be completed faster by humans using automation tools.
An automation solution handles repetitive tasks. This is why more professionals want to work in the automation field because there is so much opportunity to grow and succeed. In this article, you’ll learn more about the projects you can do regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
5 Skills That Automation Projects Can Help You Practice
Automation makes mundane tasks more enjoyable. For example, it could be exciting to watch a 40-step continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline run. That’s why you must practice different skills while finishing your automation projects.
- Scripting. Knowing how to script effectively in your platform’s built-in language is a good place to start. When dealing with more complex automation, it is preferable to use a universal language such as Python. Over the last ten years, Python has been regarded as the de facto standard for networking, server, storage, and AI/ML.
- Source-code management. Concentrating all code in a Git management tool like GitLab, AzureDevOps, GitHub, or Bitbucket will make it simpler to work with other people. When you feel more comfortable dealing with issues, you can start creating pull requests and fixing code. You can also review pull requests that others have submitted.
- Application programming interfaces (APIs). The best way to automate service delivery is to make APIs available so that people can use them instead of calling you to figure out how to interface with your service.
- Testing. This is what saves you from a bad keystroke that could bring down a production environment. You’d be able to verify that the things you’ve set in motion work as expected. This is critical for success, especially when resolving issues so that they don’t have far-reaching consequences. This should not be limited to backend testing.
- Security. Including security in your application is critical, especially with so many ransomware and bad actors attempting to mine cryptocurrency on cloud deployments. You’ll want to have something that confirms you’re not running a library with a known vulnerability. You can notify your team if the library needs to be patched.
Best Automation Project Ideas for Beginners
If you’re just starting out in this field, you’ll be expected to create intelligent process automation. These are project ideas that you can start to put your skills to the test, especially when it comes to accessibility automation.
Multilingual Home Automation System Using Google Assistant and Raspberry Pi
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
In this project, you will create an Internet of Things (loT) home automation system that will allow you to control your home gadgets using voice commands in your preferred language. You will need access to a Google Assistant and a Raspberry Pi.
Sound-Based Computer Automation Using Python
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
This project involves using a clap or a snap to control computer applications such as music, video, slide show, or video. The objective of this project is to decipher the automation of computer functions using a microphone without the use of microcontroller boards.
RPI Voice Recognition for Home Automation and IoT
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
This project can specify your voice via Artificial Intelligence Yourself (AIY). You will connect your phone to any third-party app for managing your home. You’ll use a Raspberry Pi as a Smart Home Device.
Smart Touch Panel for Home Automation
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
This panel is used to control electrical appliances wirelessly through an Andriod App or Arduino-based touch switchboard. This project is less expensive than other panels on the market.
Joystick-Controlled Industrial Automation System
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
The project’s purpose is to use a joystick and an Arduino Nano board to control up to four industrial electrical appliances. This project does not involve programming, but some hardware knowledge is necessary.
Best Intermediate Automation Project Ideas
If you’ve tried beginner projects, moving on to more difficult ones is the next big step. This will also help you hone additional automation skills.
GSM-Based Cellular IoT Home Automation
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
This project involves creating a home automation system that controls your home appliances even when you are not at home. For example, if you realize you forgot to turn off appliances or lights, you can build a loT-based cellular device. This will help you save money on your utility bills and avoid accidents at home.
Automatic Ambient Light System with IoT Home Automation
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
For this project, you’ll be able to control the light’s brightness through a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID). This is useful if you want to adjust the brightness of a light while you’re already in bed. This can make your life easier and more comfortable.
Home Automation System for up to Four Devices
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
This project is designed to allow you to control up to four home electrical devices using Node-RED, a local Wi-Fi network, and Raspberry Pi. Node-RED is a flow-based development tool that’s used for visual programming.
Home Automation System Using A Wi-Fi Module
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
With this project, you can measure relative humidity, light intensity, temperature, and control electrical equipment on the Cayenne loT platform. The two electrical equipment could be a ceiling fan, lights, or other electrical devices.
Voice-Controlled Home Automation System
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
In this project, you will create a voice-controlled home automation system that will be used to control appliances via voice an Android app. First, the Arduino Mega board will control the relay by turning the appliance on or off.
Afterward, you can use an Android app to modify and add new features. The circuit comprises an Arduino Mega 2560 board that compares the input string received via Bluetooth with the stored string to provide output and control a relay.
Advanced Automation Project Ideas
For advanced automation projects, you will not only use foundational skills, but you will also practice creativity and resourcefulness. A more complex project necessitates the use of advanced solutions.
Home Automation System Through an Easy Android App
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
In this project, you will use a home automation system to control electrical appliances via voice commands or clicks on an Android app. This would be sent to the Arduino Uno via Bluetooth.
Now, control is provided by your smartphone. You no longer need to walk when you need to turn off a device while working, studying, or watching a movie. This home automation circuit comprises an Arduino Uno Board, a Bluetooth module HC-05, and a three-channel relay board.
Home Automation System
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
There are already many devices that can choose options without human intervention. A real-time home automation system that monitors power consumption and human presence parameters can also be used to make homes smart.
Centralized control of electrical devices such as lighting, security, and appliances can be part of home automation. You can control electrical devices with this project. It has a different keyboard interface module that’s for troubleshooting and system configuration.
Arduino Based GSM Home Security System
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
This project is designed for normally-closed reed switches that are connected to doors and windows, as well as additional passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors that detect the movement of a burglar or an unwanted intruder in your home. In addition, the security system can notify you by calling up to two phone numbers. It is also capable of sending a message to one of the numbers.
Restaurant Menu Ordering System
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
With this project, you will use an automated menu for ordering food in restaurants. With the number of customers, it will simply necessitate more people working to accommodate, so the best way to solve this problem is to use automation equipment to order and view the menu online quickly.
Touchscreen and GLCD-Based Home Automation
- Automation Skills Practiced: Scripting, Security, Testing, APIs, Source Code Management
You will use automation to control home electrical appliances with a touchscreen input device for this project. As an example, the system consists of two relays that control a light bulb and a fan. A graphical LCD’s touch screen could be used as a control panel for sending control commands via wireless radio frequency (RF) communication modules.
For example, the touchscreen panel on the transmitter side, interfaced with a microcontroller, sends on/off commands to the receiver.
Automation Starter Project Templates
Templates make the lives of professionals easier, especially those who are just starting in this field. As you begin to create templates, try out these templates.
- Project Service Automation Template. This template is recommended if you’ve done similar projects with similar tasks and resource requirements in the past. You can create a project template as an example with a work breakdown structure of dependencies and tasks and reuse it for new projects.
- Smart Auto-Assign Template. In this template, issues can be created without an assignee, but they can also be assigned automatically. You can also set it by considering a skillset or balanced workload.
- Client Campaign Template. This template enables your team to scale quickly. You can use template solutions for creative and marketing agencies.
- Workflow Automation Template. Using this template helps you preserve this resource by making it simpler to automate specific tasks in the sales process. Furthermore, these templates are fully prepared and can be quickly implemented with minimal effort.
- Product Interest Tagging Template. This template generates the tag for each contact based on product page views on your website. Those tagged contacts enter the product interest-targeted follow-up to receive targetted messaging based on tags created in this automation.
Next Steps: Start Organizing Your Automation Portfolio
Automation is regarded as a necessary skill in many software testing positions. However, judging someone’s automation experience solely based on a conversation is difficult. If you believe it is critical to demonstrate your automation skills, devote some time to developing a test automation portfolio.
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Use it to demonstrate your existing skills or to improve your technical prowess by conquering something new. Something that can help you with your learning, self-development, and career advancement is rarely free, and the payoff can be well worth the time investment.
Set Your Goals
What’s the goal of your automation? When creating a portfolio, you should highlight the goals of each project and identify which issue it addresses. As a result, your portfolio becomes more straightforward and clear in terms of goals.
Include Your Previous Projects
Your previous projects are crucial because the employer will look at them to learn more about you. They may ask you questions like how a project began and how you plan to complete those projects properly.
Include Your Skills
Which skills do you already possess and which ones have you developed as you progress in this field? This is critical to include because employers will need to know your level of commitment to skill development.
Automation Projects FAQ
The first step is to plan out and identify questions such as who, what, when, and why. Afterward, design your process and consider the best automation tool to use. The next step is to execute your plan. Once it’s completed, try it to determine areas you can still improve. Time management is essential here to complete your project on time. After testing, determine which processes need to change. If you have an automation team, delegate tasks to them and explain why.
Simple automation projects will only require foundational skills. You can try different projects like industrial automation projects, automation for project boards, or office automation projects. You can also refer to the section on project ideas in this article. These project ideas will give a good idea of real-world automation challenges that motivate you to improve your skills in this field.
There are simple automation projects that can only take two weeks to finish. However, some can take longer. If you need additional time to complete your project, don’t hesitate to tell your clients. At the same time, inform your automation project team members when things need to be revised or refined.
The easiest project is one that requires only the skills you already possess. For instance, you can examine the automation projects for beginners described in this article since they’re not difficult. Alternatively, you can begin by studying those first.
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