It canāt control the current directly, so you would need to put smart bulbs in the fixture.
The main problem it solves is people turning off power to smart bulbs. But if it can be made to work as a button controller with SmartThings, it may also be a useful battery-operated extra switch for several use cases, such as arming/disarming SHM, a virtual aux switch, a nightstand button controller, etc.
Of course first we have to find out whether it can work as a button controller, though. But based on the user manual, Iām optimistic. And as a Z wave device, it wonāt have the problems of losing connection that the similar zigbee devices have had.
There are some companies working on devices that will do just that, fit over an existing light switch and just push it on or off, but none have come to market yet that I know of. I believe the most successful one on indigo go in terms of money raised is switchmate, and theyāve run into a lot of different manufactoring problems. It has the form factor most people like, because it just looks like a regular switch.
Thereās a Korean company planning a microbot called prota push which should be somewhat easier to manufacture, but wonāt look as nice.
As someone who is quadriparetic with Limited hand function, I follow all this stuff pretty closely. There is demand for devices like that, but the challenge is making ones which will fit all the various existing switches.
The linear Z wave device, like the Osram Lightify, has it easier because it doesnāt have to actually flip the switch underneath it so it doesnāt have to fit as exactly.
I hope these head over to the UK! I have a shallow back box that wont take a relay so my only solution is to replace with smart bulbsā¦ but the Mrs wants a physical switch BUT not in addition to the existing one!
Some UK members are doing something similar by putting a box or a blank over an existing UK switch and then mounting the battery operated POPP switch on top of that.
These are working with a community-created device handler.
Device handler for the UK switches:
One of the project threads on building the Popp into a blanking cover:
The Z wave.me, popp, and devolo switches all use the same device handler. They typically cost around Ā£40. Each of the four corners can be depressed independently so you get multiple functionality. These are only available on the UK zwave frequency.
Follow-on questions on these devices should be asked in One of the threads above. But I just wanted to mention their availability as a UK option for a similar use case to the linear smart switch cover.
I ordered one of these, scheduled delivery is next Tuesday, the 22nd.
This will be my first device type thatās not virtual. Iām slowly figuring out Z-wave. @jody.albritton and @slagle might be hearing a lot from me with questions. Iāve printed like 10 pieces of paper with all kinds of info on them. Source code, Z-wave certifications, and the WA00Z-1 manual.
Iām designing this to be fully Compatible with all SmartApps that work with the Aeon Minimote. Looking like the top button will be button 1 and the bottom will be button 2.
My ultimate goal is to get something accomplished my the next dev. call.
Thanks @JDRoberts for the heads up. Between this and the osram dimmer switch Iām finally hopeful that Iāll be able to convince the wife that smart bulbs arenāt the worst idea ever. Now we just need a device typeā¦
Does this still allow the original switch to stay in place or does it need to be removed? It is hard to tell by the pic but it looks like it wouldnāt have room for a switch behind it, unless it only works with newer Decora (paddle) switches and not the normal toggle switches.
The switch stays in the on (or off) position. No wiring needed, it fits over the switch. It works with a rocker & supposed to work with Decora switches as well.
Essentially an instant retrofit, just add smart bulbs, provides 2 buttons.
Ok, so it is essentially the same as the OSRAM switch I am working on except it is z-wave instead of zigbee and has a different look. I like the look of the OSRAM switch better but since I am unable to get it to work properly if you can get this working I may consider getting a couple.
It works as a button controller! Both buttons are independent (meaning thereās a button 1 for top and button 2 for bottom. It works with all SmartApps that work with the Aeon Minimote, tested with Smart Lighting. I just need to make it a bit better, then Iāll upload the code.
One thing that is hurting things a bit is the issues with the ST Platform. I do the best to test, but keep getting all kinds of errors on the app.
Here is a āMilestone 1ā release of it. It is far from perfect (Device Fingerprint needs testing, code is messy), but it works! Button 1 maps to the top button and button 2 maps to the bottom. It should work with any Button Controller SmartApp, tested with Smart Lighting.
I could use some help perfecting this device type. Almost could consider terribly written.
oops!
