Homematic IP, the German manufacturer of smart products has introduced a new local control hub for their products, called Home Control Unit.
Product page on website of Homematic IP
Price: 299,95
Introductionary video (German):
Previously the Homematic IP products were only possible to be used in a configuration using a cloud based hub (Access Point) or a outdated local running server (CCU3 or Rasperrymatic). The local solution could also be achieved using the Raspberrymatic addon for Home Assistant when the usb Homematic rf module is inserted in your HA server.
Both the cloud based configuration and the local server based configuration have a Home Assistant integration:
Integration page: Homematic IP Cloud
Integration page: Homematic (local)
The locally running solution on the CCU3 had a very outdated UI and now it seems that Homematic is presenting a totally new product to replace this solution and offering a better experience for a local controlled configuration.
Data sheet Home Control Unit (pdf)
Comparison with other Homematic hubs (pdf)
I donât know whether the Homematic integration will work on the Home Control Unit. But I donât expect it.
Also I didnât read anything like âWorks with Home Assistantâ. Neither didnât I read about it having something like mqtt communication possibilities. Although the press release mentions: âPartner solutions such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Philips HUE lights, EZVIZ cameras and many more are also part of the system.â However the software is actively maintained and might offer this in the future and I do expect a integration with Home Assistant will be possible.
The product page mentions:
âAnother outstanding feature of the HCUweb is the plug-in management. Here, users can manage plug-ins that extend the functions of the Home Control Unit. This makes it possible to customize the system to specific requirements and add additional functions going beyond the standard configuration.â This does seem that they offer some customizations, and not a totally closed system.
I personally like Homematic IP product line as I think they have good price/quality ratio and my personal experience is that the products work solid. Although their products communicate on a proprietary network, there have still been possibilities to communicate via external products via API.
I have experience with their smart multi zone thermostat system with radiators and floor heating, which I consider good:
I think Homematic is making a good step offering a poduct that makes a locally controlled configuration possible. This will guarantee a long lasting use of their products by their owners and therefore will attract some more customers, smart move.