Hello everyone! We’re glowswitch, a small business looking to start selling smart home devices. Our first device will be an automated light switch controller - a small box that attaches to your light switch and automates the lights!
These devices attach to a traditional light switch, and use a servo motor to physically press the switch when a command is sent. This means multiple lights can be automated at once, it’s quick and easy to install, and prices are lower than smart bulbs!
We aim to start selling in a few weeks, starting with 2 devices - a BLE version and a WiFi (Matter-compatible) version:
BLE Version
Powered by 3x AAA batteries (rechargeable)
Connects to Home Assistant via glowswitch BLE integration
Auto-discovery and one-click setup from HA
WiFi Version
Powered by 5V (USB-C)
Connects to Home Assistant via Matter
Also compatible with Alexa, HomeKit and other Matter hubs
Both of these will be priced at about £25 (about EUR 29)
None of the devices send anything to the cloud, and work completely locally through the Home Assistant integration or Matter.
We’re prioritizing local control through Home Assistant, simple design, and an accessible price for everyone. If anyone has any ideas or feedback (design ideas, mounting methods, new wireless protocols, preferred power supply etc.), feel free to let us know! We’ll also be looking for beta testers in a week or two!
I like the local control and the price is reasonable. I am not a fan of smart bulbs based on my experience. So an alternative is great.
I don’t want my HA devices on WiFi. And, I personally don’t use BLE.
Looking at the video linked, not happy about the power cable running in there. If my switches don’t have power to them, I’ll use a device that works at the light/fan level instead. And no batteries!
Here is the biggy … Wife Approval Rating.
I showed it to her. She was not pleased. First statement was “that is ugly”.
Then the question … how to I flip the switch if HA is down. My guess was you flip the door down and flip the switch. But not sure. Again, not pleased.
Understand, this is coming from a couple in the US in a three year old house (common wire to all switch boxes). There may certainly be a market for this. But I don’t know it.
So there is fingerbot - but more importantly there are a ton of smart little light switch relays (e.g. Shelly) that work with Wifi, Zigbee, etc.
No ugly box on the wall that looks like it fell of a cheap 3D printer, no batteries or additional power supply needed, no mechanical parts that wear out, also work without cloud - and the price is around 15.- bucks or less.
I watched your video on YouTube:
and that mechanical solution will not work on many many many switches around the work.
Not trying to break your spirit mate, but in my opinion this solution is Dead on Arrival.
I hope you didn’t put too much money into it.
P.S.: You might want to check the spelling on this:
Hi there! The product shown in the images is just a prototype - we’re working on other, more compact designs, which go next to the switch. As a UK company, we designed it to work with UK and EU switches, though we’re looking into support for others. Also, which wireless protocols would you prefer? Thread? Zigbee?
I have a similar product (designed probably more for the North American market) from Thirdreality that is Zigbee and, while it does cover the switch, it places a button in front of it so it can be toggled easily.
