On April 10, One Firefly had the opportunity to take part in an inspiring initiative aimed at shaping the future of the smart home industry.

In collaboration with the CEDIA Foundation and FIRST Robotics, our CEO, Ron Callis, joined industry leaders for a special session titled “From Robots to Residences: Your Future in Smart Home Tech.” The event was designed to introduce students to the real-world applications of their robotics skills—and how those skills can translate into meaningful, high-level careers in system integration.

Bridging Robotics and Real-World Careers

Throughout the session, students were guided through how the technical and problem-solving skills they develop through FIRST Robotics—such as systems thinking, design, and programming—directly align with careers in the smart home and custom integration industry.

Ron Callis served as moderator, helping connect the dots between education and industry while facilitating discussion and guiding students through a hands-on design challenge. The session emphasized a powerful message: the smart home industry is not only growing, but it represents a highly viable and rewarding engineering career path.

A Collaborative Industry Effort

The event brought together professionals from across the industry to give students a well-rounded perspective:

• Buzz Delano (CEDIA) provided an overview of the smart home ecosystem, explaining how manufacturers, integrators, and homeowners work together—and the role CEDIA plays in education and standards.
• Mike Hench (Coastal Source) shared insights into engineering and product development, highlighting innovation, durability, and design.
• Jesse Miller (Integrator/Dealer Representative) walked students through real-world system design, including layout planning, LiDAR, rack systems, and project workflows.
• Tara (CEDIA Foundation) introduced students to available opportunities, including training, scholarships, and next steps into the industry.

Hands-On Learning Meets Real-World Application

A key component of the session was an interactive design challenge in which students applied their knowledge to a real-world system-integration scenario. This hands-on experience reinforced the direct applicability of their existing skills in professional environments.

By the end of the session, students walked away with:

• A clear understanding of the smart home industry as a legitimate engineering career path
• Insight into how their robotics experience translates into real-world applications
• Exposure to system design thinking and integration workflows
• Awareness of educational pathways available through the CEDIA Foundation

Supporting the Next Generation

One Firefly is proud to support the CEDIA Foundation’s 100 & 100 workforce development initiative, which is focused on creating accessible pathways into the industry for students.

Through this program, participants are invited to apply for:

• Free virtual training through the Smart Home Fundamentals course
• A merit-based scholarship to attend the High School Summer Residential Bootcamp in Indianapolis (June 9–12, 2026)

These opportunities are designed to help students take the next step from curiosity to career.

Looking Ahead

As the demand for skilled professionals in the smart home industry continues to grow, initiatives like this play a critical role in building awareness and creating opportunity.

At One Firefly, we believe the future of this industry is incredibly bright—and it starts with investing in the next generation of talent.