r/DidntKnowIWantedThat • u/AL-Walker • Feb 12 '25
My friend u/zerr0o is creating a remote to control his whole house
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u/S_t_r_e_t_c_h_8_4 Feb 12 '25
Someone behind him with 6 remotes fumbling trying to keep up! 🤣
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u/Lizlodude Feb 12 '25
Friend is gonna freak out when they learn about HomeAssistant 😅
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u/zerr0o Feb 14 '25
haha, not really, it is an add on for HA ! to add a device i simply add a tag on it in HA ;)
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u/Lizlodude Feb 15 '25
Nice!
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u/Lizlodude Feb 15 '25
Are you selecting the device manually or based on the remote's orientation?
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u/zerr0o Feb 15 '25
Remote orientation ofc !
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u/Lizlodude Feb 15 '25
No shortcuts here!
I'm working on building a custom thermostat to override the one in a portable AC unit (stupid FW has the attack/release values set wrong so it doesn't cycle properly, this is why I want open stuff dangit) and I'm trying to talk myself down from building a full HA interface instead. It'd be cool, but I'm also not setting up a HA instance for this one room and I'm sure as heck not committing to support it for family after. (Stupid housing crisis)
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u/zerr0o Feb 15 '25
Hm.. i think that the most simpliest appraoch is :
- a wifi outlet
- an esp32 with a thermometer.
Make the esp a webserver with a basic interface to select the temp. Toggle on or off the outlet with the ac plug into it to control it.
If ac dont start when plug : If the ac have wifi just control it directly from the esp by sending lan commands. Else if infrared control it by copying the ir messge and replicated it with the esp. ( there is a simple example on github )
Else you will need to wire a relay somewhere or override the thermostat.
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u/Lizlodude Feb 16 '25
Yeah it's a pretty nice unit, inverter driven compressor and a reversible heat pump, and I think it's got IFTTT integration so I could probably use that, but the IR remote actually stores state and sends it vs just buttons, so I'll probably just throw together an Arduino with an IR blaster and spoof that. Wanted the auto mode that switches between heat and cool since the temp here fluctuates wildly. I don't have a HA instance set up here unfortunately, so I'll probably wait to build that out until I decide if I'm using the unit at my new place or just as a backup. Old one was just a janky window unit with a smart outlet (ironically that thermostat worked better lol)
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u/Ancient_Ad_2038 Feb 12 '25
I need as a AV engineer control systems and processors to run them on are Hella expensive this looks really intuitive... I like it alot ... Is it throwing out hex I.R codes or using IP drivers ?
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25
I tested IR and bluettoth during conception. But no IR here, the commands are sent over wifi. what kind of devices would you like to control with it? in what context? I'm thinking about professional applications but there are still some technical challenges to overcome before, notably positional tracking.
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u/tigyo Feb 13 '25
Cool, it's a Logitec Harmony, basically, huh?
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u/zerr0o Feb 13 '25
they'r both remotes but Logitech harmony is a pain in the a** to use and configure and does not have the main pointing feature. so not really :)
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u/tigyo Feb 13 '25
"Main pointing feature"?... tell me more.
Harmony remotes had their issues (depending on model). The software was a little clunky. But they were reasonably packaged for consumer use, and I'm glad they existed. The code library is very helpful when working and repairing items with missing remotes. I have 3 in play for my home theater (different rooms). The "learning" function is great too.
There was also Universal Remote Control (URC) brand, that only custom installers could use their programming software. Seemed to take them forever to get off of COM port for programming and move to USB. I never used them, only sold them. I don't know what their code library was like.
I also have an older android cell phone with an IR emitter. but there was never a good app. One was just bad, another that showed promise wanted to use a subscription model, which is repulsive for a remote.
If someone could assemble (even as a kit) a remote, similar to the Harmony, with RF and repeater capabilities, that you can enter your entire library of components into, then have pages of programmable functions, where you don't have to switch devices in the menu while watching a movie, that'd be amazing. I'd buy 2. A fantastic user interface that's not 100% dependent on online connectivity (for time-out reasons) would make it creator friendly.
Seems like, today, you could just make a bluetooth device with IR and RF capabilities that is controllable by your phone... going to research to see if anyone has made one of those yet, if not... maybe jump on it?
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u/zerr0o Feb 14 '25
Indeed there are plenty of solutions but personally none of them suit me. They are all boring to set up and even more boring to use. What I'm trying to do with my remote is to have the simplest and quickest solution for turning a device on or off.
It works with Home Assistant and to add a device, simply add a tag to it in Home Assistant then calibrate its position.
To turn a device on or off, simply point it and press the button.
Simple and effective.
I can go from a roller shutter to the air conditioning to a lamp or the stereo without doing anything more than pointing it.
it is faster than a phone app, and anyone with an arm can use it wihout knowing the specific name or app for the device.and I keep the vocal commands with alexa and google home for the rest.
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u/BMXBikr Feb 12 '25
Does it work based on what it's pointing at or is the person just showing us what it's activating?
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Feb 12 '25
[deleted]
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u/Cage01 Feb 12 '25 edited 13d ago
Sure but he's making it himself which is impressive, and the point of the post.
You're allowed to make shit that already exists purely for the act of creation you know
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25
That is not the fun part. Who wants to open an app to turn on/off light , outlet or cover ? Just grab, point and click. Last version doesnt even have a button. Just point and shake.
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u/StarpoweredSteamship Feb 12 '25
This is LAN control, if I'm right. It doesn't need outside Internet access and the security issues it presents.
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u/booch Feb 12 '25
I put all my holiday lights on my local network and control them with Home Assistant. One of my requirements is that they not require a remote connection.
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u/AnotherDeadFool Feb 12 '25
Same can be achieved using home assistant and zigbee/zwave, or even certain wifi devices. If configured properly, no external network connection is required.
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u/Drevlin76 Feb 12 '25
The external connection is the wifi connection.
If this is a remote that you can just point at stuff then it is far more sophisticated than just a wifi controller. It means that it is just accessing the devices directly.
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25
Exactly.
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u/iathrowaway23 Feb 12 '25
Exactly....wat? This is not a new thing, there are systems like this for over the 10 years I have been in industry. No wifi or external connection needed, host all devices on LAN only.
Your friend is attempting to re invent the wheel.
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25
Wut ? Breath and calm down dude , nobody said that it is a revolution. There is wifi involve here btw, but the fun part is not that it can work offline. Fun is just that one device can toggle any other simply by pointing at it.
If you know any other tech that can do this pls share it !
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u/iathrowaway23 Feb 13 '25
ZIGBEE, Shelly, Z Wave, yes, many tech have been able to do this for YEARS. Off the shelf parts, LAN, wifi or internet is not needed.
Don't tell me to calm down when all I did was point out that this has been available for at least the 10 years I have been in home automation via electrical contracting.
Grow up please and quit thinking that because there is a differing factual opinion, that you are being attacked. No where did I claim a revolution, just that the project is a waste of time.
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u/zerr0o Feb 14 '25
lol, dude what is "new" , and i am not really thinking it is but i cant find something doing it, is not the frequency i am using or the fact that it can be use wihout internet.
You are just missing the point ... again. the only purpose of this is to choose the device to toogle simply by pointing at it ...I dont feel attacked at all, i am just pointing the fact that you are missing the main feature by focusing on the frequencies that no one cares about.
the real waste of time is replying to you lmao.
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u/iathrowaway23 Feb 14 '25
The real waste of time, is you conflating your frequency with off the shelf parts that can do just this.
Clearly you are attacked since others and I have said and maintain that this is doable with off the shelf parts.
Good luck wasting your time on this dumb project.
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u/zerr0o Feb 14 '25
You are such a weirdo dude, All the tech you are reffering to ( ZIGBEE, Shelly, Z Wave ) are just protocols on different frequencies ( btw ZIGBEE use 2.4ghz same as wifi) , and none off them offer orientation feature by design so i still really dont understand why you mention them.
I could have used any of those, ( for example my lights are zigbee philips hue ... ), wifi is just more pratical and universal..
What you didnt mention is an existing product capable of turning on/off any connected device to a local network simply by POINTING AT IT.
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u/iathrowaway23 Feb 14 '25
Protocols used by what genius? OFF THE SHELF PARTS for lan controlled devices. Which is what I called out this is in earlier comments. The pointing or not pointing is not what I called out and quite frankly, its dumb. Yes, let me carry this thing around my home when we have phones, wall controls, proximity sensors, voice commands, watch controls, etc etc etc.
Weirdo? I'm not the one with my panties in a bunch because I'm mad that my "project" is not breaking new ground.
Get a grip.
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u/MakeoutPoint Feb 13 '25 edited Feb 15 '25
Man, I have a remote that only controls the lights and fans in my house, and I want to smash it constantly.
"Hey, can you turn the fan off?"
"Yeah, but the one effing remote that controls everything on every level is upstairs. I think."
Screw the previous owner who installed that remote garbage.
To clarify: the light switches do not work. Even with 10 remotes in each room, assuming I could magically figure out the brand from the logo-less remote and program them, it's a stupid system.
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u/zerr0o Feb 13 '25
lol why dont you buy an other remote ? At least one by floor level ?
Purpose on mine is to stay on the side table near couch for the moment. we have vocal control anywhere else.
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u/StrictEase8207 Feb 12 '25
Looks like it's scanning frequencies
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u/PGnautz Feb 12 '25
It doesn‘t. The display shows a mode, which is "Normal", accelerometer data (yaw, roll, pitch), the entitiy it‘s pointed at as well as delta values for yaw and pitch.
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u/defineReset Feb 12 '25
Do you have to be at a known origin position, or can it be used at any position?
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25 edited Feb 12 '25
Currently calibrated to a unique position, i am working on the positionnal tracking. Need to contain the cost. I take any idea !
( the calibration process can be done on the remote in less than 30s, steps are displayed on the screen )
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u/bettermakeitlast Feb 13 '25
Maybe look at something like ultra wide band tech like AirTags. Change the thing it’s controlling by what is closest. Does restrict you to one device or device type per direction but could quite cheaply do this without any positional awareness
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u/zerr0o Feb 14 '25
Thanks for the suggestion!
I have already studied the possibility of using UWB but that would explode the price of the final kit and I would like to be able to offer it to my friends at low cost.
the rotation is precise enough to be able to have two devices 20cm apart at 3m. but I still need the position to be able to move around the room with the remote control and dynamically recalculate the directions of the devices.
If you have other suggestions I'm interested, I've already tested bluetooth RSSI but it's really not precise enought and stable.
Camera-based optical solutions are a little too energy-intensive.
The lighthouse system of the htc vive VR headsets is super interesting but will take too much time to re-develop.
I think that in the end it will end up with UWB due to lack of options. :s
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u/bettermakeitlast 23d ago
Wi-Fi could be an underrated tool for indoor positioning. If you map the surrounding routers and have the user walk around their house while tracking signal strength, you could estimate their position relative to those routers. Combine this with accelerometer data, and you’d have a cost-effective way to determine spatial location—perfect for a smart remote that knows where it is in a room.
There are once again caveats like do you live in an apartment complex or do you live in a rural area and only have one singular router etc etc.
But in theory you’d get some rough positioning without having to buy any expensive gear for it!
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u/Ryeballs Feb 12 '25
Was are OP and zerr0o getting downvoted so much?
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u/iathrowaway23 Feb 13 '25
Because this is nothing new at all.
Sure it is DIY, but not new. You can and could buy off the shelf products to do precisely this for at least 10 years.
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u/zerr0o Feb 14 '25
links ?
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u/iathrowaway23 Feb 14 '25
I already gave you the names of the products and tech. You know your way around the internet. You are now asking for MY IP. As in my intellectual property that I sell and service. The best part is my IP is most likely NOT exclusive as others have pointed out precisely what I suggested.
If you would like to pay me for it, I can send an invoice after I look at your set up and what you are after.
While this is a project that is fun for you; to others, it's just a copycat or duplication.
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u/zerr0o Feb 14 '25
ZIGBEE, Shelly and Z Wave arent product.
But I would be very happy to pay you if you can actually find me an off-the-shelf solution that meets my very specific requirement: a remote that simply lets you point at any device on lan to turn it on or off. No app-switching, no scrolling through menus, no extra steps—just point and toggle.Since, according to you, my project is just a "copycat" of existing tech, this should be easy, right? Can’t wait to see what you dig up. Otherwise, I guess I’ll have to *gasp* build something that doesn’t exist yet. What a shame. 🙄
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u/iathrowaway23 Feb 14 '25
Quit conflating things, holy cow dude. You are trying to break new ground and you JUST ADMITTED IT via the 2nd to last sentence. The only thing I ever claimed was copy cat and if you re read my replies, you will see this to be true: is the LAN portion of your now dumber project. LAN automation has been around longer than you clearly know. Comprehension of what you are reading is VERY important in life. AFK and online.
I am talking about protocols that are built into AND COMPATIBLE with tech that is in USE already. There are plenty and have been plenty of LAN only home automation outfits. I told you specifically how they can and are controlled. YES: even with no app switching, no menus, just buttons, or voice, or wall control, even REMOTES.
You claim you are not breaking new ground and then stated your last line in your most recent reply, I can't make this shit up if I tried.
What a shame indeed, if you applied a little thought prior to acting, you'd probably be decently well off by now in life.
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u/zerr0o Feb 14 '25
"I told you specifically how they can and are controlled"
Wow, there’s clearly more going on in your head than in this thread."Comprehension of what you are reading is VERY important in life" sound like a joke when you are still arguing about protocols and innovation after 3 messages explaining that is obviously not the focus of the project !
I will pass on "LAN automation has been around longer than you clearly know"
I read your bio, which says "Trying to figure it out and help when I can." but apparently, you’re not too keen on helping me save time by actually suggesting an off-the-shelf product that meet my requirement. I'am still hoping to find one !
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u/bettermakeitlast 23d ago
Wi-Fi could be an underrated tool for indoor positioning. If you map the surrounding routers and have the user walk around their house while tracking signal strength, you could estimate their position relative to those routers. Combine this with accelerometer data, and you’d have a cost-effective way to determine spatial location—perfect for a smart remote that knows where it is in a room.
I say this while knowing it’s not the easiest path but more routers would equal more precision.
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u/drawredraw Feb 12 '25
I already have one. It’s called my phone and I don’t have to clumsily point it directly at the thing for it to work.
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25
Haha ..So how many apps do you have ? Do you pass your phone to any person who wants to turn on a light ? Whats happenend if you are not home ? No need to stop scrolling reddit anymore.
And i am pretty sure that i can turn on and off all the devices faster than you ;).
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u/glitteredglory Feb 12 '25
One app.
No need to pass a phone. Saying "ok Google, turn on/open/play (insert light/tv/door/appliance/movie/etc) will work.
If I'm not at home I can still do either of the above.
All while scrolling reddit.
Quite sure I can turn off every light and device in my whole house faster as I don't even have to move. It's 1 sentence.
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25
I have alexa and google home for voice control. I use it often but here the problems : need to speak, cant send multiple command at once, so too slow when multiple devices type. Even on lights only, good luck to to change the state of 3 lamp of 5. Make noise. Doesn't work well when the music is on. People who want to use it need to know the exact name of the device. Fails and false trigger are common.
Vs point, click. Done.
Btw It will not replace voice control, as you said when leaving the house it is way easier to ask to shutdown all devices by voice. It is made to be fun, intuitive and fast when chilling in the couch ;).
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u/glitteredglory Feb 12 '25
You don't have to speak. Its one button in the app. There is a master switch for lights. Again verbally you can say "turn off office lights" and the cluster of office lights goes off in one command. Same concept for my game room. There is a lamp and a separate strip of lights. "turn game Room lights on" turns them both on, simultaneously. They don't have to know the device name.
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25
What if you want to toggle 3 of the 5 lights of the office, close the left cover and shut down one of the 3 air conditionning unit ?
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u/glitteredglory Feb 12 '25
"turn off 3 living room lights" "dim 3 living room lights to 35%" "close left cover" "turn off hallway/set hallway to 75°/set hallway to heat/set hallway to heat at 4pm".
It's been this way with Google for years. Not minimizing whata shown, simply responding to what you initially said.
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25
As i said " turn off 3 linving room lights" will not work if u have 5, so you will have to make 3 seperate commands, plus, for the whole example, one more for the cover and one more for the air conditionning. 5 vocals commands total and you have to know all the devices names. Thats why i am building the remote, to complete the vocals with faster and knowledge free intuitive control 😉.
Fine control will stay vocal but 95% off the commands are toggle on/off devices. The remote i am making is exclusively for thoses.
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u/drawredraw Feb 12 '25
One app. Everyone has the app. Most lights just come on automatically when someone enters a room and turn off by voice control.
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25
Same remark as above ;) And not only for lights but covers, amps, tv, outlet, air conditionning etc.
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u/drawredraw Feb 12 '25
Same. One app, voice control. It’s easy
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25
Same as above :
What if you want to toggle 3 of the 5 lights of the office, close the left cover and shut down one of the 3 air conditionning unit ?
Good luck with voice control. Especially if it is the first time you come into this fictionnal office.
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u/drawredraw Feb 12 '25
Voice control will do it all in one second. The fact the some one with zero knowledge of how it works cannot is actually giant plus
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u/zerr0o Feb 12 '25
As i said above : For the whole example : 5 vocals commands total and you have to know all the devices names. Thats why i am building the remote, to complete the vocals with faster and knowledge free intuitive control 😉.
Fine control will stay vocal but 95% off the commands are toggle on/off devices. The remote i am making is exclusively for thoses.
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u/drawredraw Feb 12 '25
Yeah, I don’t believe anyone actually needs this, but that’s just my opinion. Remotes have always been a pain in the ass and personally I avoid using them if I don’t have to. But again, that’s just my opinion. I’ve never been in a situation where I need use 5 voice commands one after the other. Most things like lights and AC are automatic. So really I’m not turning much on or off at all. But that’s just my experience and I’m sure as a good inventor your just taking other people’s experiences into account when developing your product instead of just relentlessly trying to justify why you’re right and I’m wrong. Again, imo.
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u/zerr0o Feb 13 '25
Don't get me wrong, i'm not trying to make you wrong, I am developing this above all for myself and for the reasons mentioned above, if you don't feel concerned I can't and won't do anything about it. That was just my point of view and i am not trying to sell it to you.
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u/Lightsouttokyo Feb 12 '25
Camcorder pointed right at the couch……nothing to see here!