🚢 Seastead Operation & Navigation Software
PyPilot
An excellent choice for your differential thrust steering needs. PyPilot is an open source autopilot written in Python that controls sailboats and can be extended for differential thrust applications. Since your seastead uses submersible mixers for propulsion, PyPilot can be modified to send differential commands to each mixer for steering.
- Python-based - highly customizable
- Already supports motor controllers
- Can be adapted for differential thrust steering
- Interfaces with GPS and compass sensors
- Low-cost hardware options available
OpenCPN
A full-featured chart plotter software ideal for navigation. OpenCPN is widely used in the marine community and provides comprehensive charting capabilities essential for seastead operations.
- Official NOAA charts and world-wide coverage
- Route planning and tracking
- Integration with NMEA instruments
- AIS target tracking
- Works on Linux, Windows, and macOS
SignalK
An open source marine data ecosystem that standardizes boat data. SignalK collects data from various sensors and provides a unified API for marine applications. Perfect for integrating your propulsion, navigation, and monitoring systems.
- Converts NMEA data to standardized JSON
- REST API for data access
- Web-based dashboard
- Plugin architecture for extensions
- Can integrate with PyPilot and OpenCPN
OpenMarine
A complete open source marine automation platform that combines SignalK with additional tools for monitoring and controlling your seastead systems.
- Complete image for Raspberry Pi
- Includes SignalK, OpenCPN, and more
- Web-based control interface
- Sensor integration
- Alarm systems
📹 Security Camera Software
MotionEye
A simple, elegant, and powerful open source video surveillance system. MotionEye is highly recommended for its ease of use and comprehensive features for monitoring your seastead.
- Easy web-based setup
- Supports IP cameras and USB webcams
- Motion detection with alerts
- Cloud and local storage options
- Works on Raspberry Pi
- Mobile app support
Frigate NVR
A modern network video recorder built specifically for Home Assistant integration. Frigate offers intelligent motion detection and is highly optimized for low-power systems like Raspberry Pi.
- Intelligent object detection (people, vehicles, animals)
- Very low false positive rate
- Home Assistant integration
- WebRTC for low-latency viewing
- GPU-accelerated detection
- Clips and recordings to cloud storage
ZoneMinder
The classic open source video surveillance software, ZoneMinder has been trusted for decades to provide reliable security monitoring.
- Mature and well-tested
- Supports hundreds of camera models
- Motion detection and alerting
- Event recording and playback
- API for integration
- Linux-based
Kerberos.io
A lightweight and modern open source video surveillance solution designed to be simple to deploy while remaining powerful.
- Modern web interface
- Machine learning-based detection
- Cross-platform support
- Cloud and local storage
- Mobile-friendly
- Docker support
🔗 Recommended Integration Architecture
For your seastead, here's how these systems can work together:
(GPS, Compass, Depth)
Data Hub
Autopilot + Control
Differential Thrust
NVR System
(Phone/Email)
📝 Additional Notes for Your Seastead
- PyPilot Modification: To use PyPilot with differential thrust, you would need to modify the motor output configuration to send separate speed commands to each of your two submersible mixers. The steering would be achieved by varying the relative speed of each mixer.
- Hardware Controller: Consider using an Arduino or STM32 board to interface between your software and the mixer motor controllers.
- Redundancy: The cable redundancy system you described is excellent. Consider adding electronic redundancy as well - multiple GPS units, backup autopilots, etc.
- Power Management: With solar-powered propulsion, you'll want monitoring software to track battery state and solar input.
- Internet Connectivity: For security cameras and remote monitoring, consider a cellular or satellite internet connection.