Research: Design and Prototype Implementation of an ESP32-Based Web Smart Home Automation System for Remote Appliance Control
The rapid advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly transformed modern home environments by enabling intelligent monitoring and remote control of household appliances. However, many existing smart home automation systems remain expensive, difficult to deploy, or unsuitable for resource-constrained environments. This study presents the design and implementation of a secure web-based smart home automation system using the ESP32 microcontroller for real-time device control. The proposed system integrates a three-layer client-server architecture consisting of a Progressive Web Application (PWA) frontend, a backend API server, and an ESP32-based embedded hardware layer. Communication between the backend and the ESP32 is achieved through Wi-Fi using a polling mechanism, while secure device authentication is implemented using Board ID and Secret Key validation. The system supports role-based access control for administrators, standard users, and restricted users, thereby improving operational security and usability. Hardware integration was achieved using relay modules, LEDs, and a DC motor to simulate household appliances. The developed prototype was evaluated using functional and usability testing approaches to assess system responsiveness, reliability, synchronization accuracy, and ease of use. Experimental results demonstrate that the system provides stable communication, efficient remote device control, reliable real-time synchronization, and secure interaction between software and hardware components. The study establishes that low-cost and readily available embedded technologies can be effectively integrated to develop scalable and user-friendly smart home automation solutions suitable for developing environments.