--- title: Pi-Cubes – App-Enabled HVAC Control description: This is a guest post by the Cube-Controls team as part of “the startup stories”, a series of blog posts about how and why innovative companies are using Ubuntu technology. Pi-Cubes has been designed to provide makers and hobbyist with a modular automation system that supports up to 24 I/Os and four thermostats. It is […] url: https://canonical.com/blog/pi-cubes-app-enabled-hvac-control?format=md --- 1. [Blog](https://canonical.com/blog) 2. Article --- [Maarten Ectors](https://canonical.com/blog/author/maarten-ectors "More about Maarten Ectors") 9 September 2015 # Pi-Cubes – App-Enabled HVAC Control [IoT](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/iot) [Ubuntu Core](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/ubuntu-core) --- Share the article This is a guest post by the Cube-Controls team as part of “the startup stories”, a series of blog posts about how and why innovative companies are using Ubuntu technology. Pi-Cubes has been designed to provide makers and hobbyist with a modular automation system that supports up to 24 I/Os and four thermostats. It is primarily designed for HVAC automation but with choice of different I/O boards it may be used for any kind of Home Automation projects. Pi-Cubes I/O Modules are easy accessible from Raspberry Pi just using I2C serial communication, which provides wide range of programming options, from Python, Node JS, C/C++ and all kind of existing control frameworks. Pi-Cubes Communication Thermostat is easy accessible through serial port on Raspberry Pi and it is using open communication protocol Modbus. Cube-Controls has chosen to use open source solutions for their Pi-Cubes SDK. Primarily we will use Node-RED as visual programming options powered by snappy Ubuntu Core. Snappy Apps and Ubuntu Core will make installation of our SDK very simple, just in couple minutes users will be ready to program their application on Pi-Cubes using Node-RED. [To pre-order your Pi-Cubes system and to start developing your next Home/HVAC automation system visit us on Kickstarter:](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/475599424/pi-cubes-raspberry-pi-based-hvac-automation-system) ## Sign up for our newsletter Get the latest Canonical news and updates in your inbox. Work email: \*I agree to receive information about Canonical's products and services. By submitting this form, I confirm that I have read and agree to [Canonical's Privacy Policy](https://canonical.com/legal/dataprivacy). Sign up ## Share on --- ## Related posts [### So you need to add microcontrollers to your fleet: now what?](https://canonical.com/blog/microcontrollers-ubuntu-core-golioth) Your Ubuntu Core fleet is running beautifully. OTA updates roll out in minutes. Every device is strictly confined, cryptographically attested, and carrying a 10 to 15 year long... [Jonathan Beri](https://canonical.com/blog/author/jmberi) 18 June 2026 [### A look into Ubuntu Core 26: Building a local AI inference appliance in a virtual machine](https://canonical.com/blog/ubuntu-core-26-ai-box) Welcome to this blog series which explores innovative uses of Ubuntu Core. Throughout this series, Canonical’s Engineers will show what you can build with this Core 26 release,... [Gabriel Aguiar Noury](https://canonical.com/blog/author/g-aguiar-noury) 16 June 2026 [### A look into Ubuntu Core 26: Deploying AI models on Renesas RZ/V series for production](https://canonical.com/blog/ubuntu-core-26-ai-renesas) Welcome to this blog series which explores innovative uses of Ubuntu Core. Throughout this series, Canonical’s Engineers will show what you can build with our releases,... [Gabriel Aguiar Noury](https://canonical.com/blog/author/g-aguiar-noury) 4 June 2026 [### A look into Ubuntu Core 26: Cloud-powered edge computing with AWS IoT Greengrass and Azure IoT Edge](https://canonical.com/blog/ubuntu-core-26-cloud-integration) Welcome to this blog series which explores innovative uses of Ubuntu Core. Throughout this series, Canonical’s Engineers will show what you can build with this Core 26 release,... [Gabriel Aguiar Noury](https://canonical.com/blog/author/g-aguiar-noury) 20 May 2026