About Claudio Cabete: Lifelong Maker & Automation Architect
Hi, I’m Claudio Cabete—a retired automation architect turned DIY home automation enthusiast. At Homatica, I blend my 24+ years of Verizon experience with a passion for microcontrollers, Home Assistant, and MQTT to build privacy-first, resilient smart home systems.
🔍 My Journey in Automation
From building an FM transmitter at age 12 to earning patents at Verizon, my career has been driven by a relentless curiosity to understand how things work. I’m a self-taught tinkerer 🛠️ who thrives on solving “impossible” problems. During my 24 years at Verizon, I designed automation solutions that transformed complex challenges into scalable systems, including a near real-time pipeline processing 6 million messages per second to track mobile outages. Browse my patents to see some of my work.
Retirement didn’t slow me down—it gave me freedom to dive deeper into DIY home automation. At Homatica, I focus on privacy-first systems using Raspberry Pi Pico W, Home Assistant, and MQTT. Every project, from smart HVAC controllers to power factor correction, reflects my love for experimentation and clean, resilient design.
Check out my projects or read tutorials on my blog to join the journey!
🧰 From Wrenches to Code
My roots are hands-on: fixing engines, installing car alarms, and wiring HVAC systems. In the 1990s, I ran CKC Auto Security, blending electronics with customer service. This practical foundation shaped my approach to software. At Verizon, I started with Adobe ColdFusion and Oracle DB, building web apps. When ColdFusion couldn’t scale for a real-time outage system, I taught myself Python in three months, delivering a prototype that handled massive data loads with precision.
That experience taught me to embrace learning as a constant. Today, I apply that mindset to microcontrollers and smart home automation, always iterating and refining.
📅 Career Milestones
- 1980s: Built my first FM transmitter at age 12, sparking a lifelong passion for electronics.
- 1990s: Founded CKC Auto Security, specializing in car alarms and audio systems.
- 2000–2025: 24+ years at Verizon, solving large-scale automation challenges.
- 2010s: Transitioned from ColdFusion to Python for scalable, real-time systems.
- 2022: Earned multiple patents in automation and systems design. Browse patents.
- 2025–Present: Building privacy-first DIY home automation at Homatica.
🔧 What I Build Now
At Homatica, I create modular, scalable home automation systems that prioritize privacy. Using Raspberry Pi Pico W, Home Assistant, and MQTT, I design projects like:
- Smart HVAC Controller: Optimizes furnace efficiency with Pico W, servo-controlled gas modulation, and Home Assistant.
- Power Factor Controller: Experiments with AC power efficiency using zero-cross detection and PWM shaping.
- LiFePO4 Battery Charger: Upgrades a charger with Pico W, MQTT telemetry, and solar-aware logic. See all projects.
Explore the code on my GitHub or join the conversation on r/homeautomation.
💡 My Philosophy
I was born with a hunger to understand how things work. I don’t wait for instructions—I experiment, iterate, and build systems that are functional, resilient, and elegant. My approach emphasizes clean architecture, error-proof design, and outside-the-box thinking. Whether it’s a data pipeline or a smart thermostat, I build with intention and curiosity.
AI is now a collaborator, helping me refine code, troubleshoot edge cases, and document my work. But the spark comes from my lifelong drive to tinker and learn.
🌐 Why Homatica?
Homatica—short for home automatica—is my lab for DIY home automation. It’s a journal of my experiments, a platform to share knowledge, and a community for makers who love to build smarter, privacy-first homes. Start with my blog for tutorials or contact me at cabetcl@hotmail.com.