Smart home test with dinner guests

A simple way to judge if a smart home is user-friendly is to observe how a guest uses the bathroom. If they turn on the light on the first try without hesitation, the system is well-designed. If they press the switch twice and look confused, the smart home needs improvement.

Early smart home adoption

The author of the article became an early adopter of smart home technology when Philips launched its Hue bulbs in late 2012. These bulbs were initially sold only in Apple Stores and came with a starter kit of three bulbs and a small bridge for 199 euros. The author acquired one in 2014 and became one of the first in France to fully integrate smart lighting into their home.

Challenges with multi-user smart homes

The author later introduced their wife to the smart home, which revealed limitations in the system. The smart bulbs were intelligent, but the rest of the electrical system was not connected, leading to confusion. Traditional wall switches continued to function independently, creating conflicts with the smart lighting setup and making it difficult for others to use the system intuitively.

Simplifying smart home control

To address the issues, the author reduced the number of connected lights to a minimum, such as under-bed lighting. This simplified the system and restored traditional switch controls. However, the author realized this was an extreme move, shifting from a fully connected home to a completely unconnected one.

Introducing smart switches and standards

Nicolas Lellouche of Numerama advised the author to place the intelligence in the wall switch instead of the bulb. The author then installed a Shelly 2L Gen4 module behind a switch, which controls two light circuits and connects with Apple Home via Matter. This setup allows the switch to act as the main control for the lights, similar to using an app or voice commands.

Testing smart lighting with motion sensors

The author tested the new setup in the bathroom using an Aqara P1 motion detector, which automatically turns on the light when someone enters and turns it off ten minutes after the last person leaves. The system works seamlessly, regardless of whether the light is turned on by the switch, the app, or the motion detector.

Challenges with installation and software

While the physical installation of the smart switch requires cutting power and possibly hiring an electrician, the software side remains in early development. The Shelly app is described as difficult to use, and while Matter is a standard for device communication, it has not yet fully lived up to its promise. The Aqara sensor works well with Apple’s Home app but requires an Aqara hub for adjustments.

Smart homes that work for everyone

The author concludes that the real issue with their smart home was not the level of connectivity but the fact that it only obeyed the original user. A well-designed smart home should obey the button, which is the only interface everyone understands. The author recommends starting with one room and focusing on automation that goes unnoticed, which helps choose the right module for the setup.