I keep noticing that if I want a smart device, they often require you to have a hub for them.
But is there any ways in which we don’t need to get the hub if we can set up something on a esp32?
Or maybe I guess I need to know the actual purpose of what the hubs are for, for instance we have a house lock with a hub, I am about to receive some automated blinds with a hub, my bedroom lights do not have a hub (one light is a wled light and the other is a store ought ceiling light), my humidifier does not have a hub.
Depends on what protocol the hub uses to communicate to the devices. ZWave and Zigbee are standards that are often compatible with generic hubs and Home Assistant. Gotta do your research on each device and how well they are supported