Smart Home: Switch Bot, Sensibo & Mornin+

I have always been mesmerized by technology and the idea of a "Smart" home - living like Tony Stark from Iron Man.

However, having renovated my home a few years ago when the Smart Home idea wasn't as huge and prevalent as it is now, I did not manage to install and select devices or a central hub that controls all of my electrical appliances.

Here, I will talk about the few plug and play smart devices I know use to control the various devices in my room, namely my air-conditioning, curtains and my lights.

Firstly, let's start with my latest purchase, the SwitchBot.

The SwitchBot is a kickstarter item I got from WeThePeople that allows you to retrofit your existing switches and essentially make them "smarter". By retrofitting, I mean without all the unnecessary and messy wiring that you would have had to do yourself if you wanted a smart switch. I bought this pack of the SwitchBot and the Hub @ S$138.00 (Obviously I used GrabPay to pay for the item in order to double dip) The hub may not be necessary for everyone, but I will let you know later on why I bought it.

I was amazed at just how easy it was for this to get connected. All I had to do was download the app, turn on the device and it was automatically connected. (Took me less than 3 minutes)

How this device works is relatively simple. You essentially stick the SwitchBot on to a preexisting switch and the mechanism will push and pull the switch as though it was a manual click as seen below:-

If you noticed, there is a small translucent wire attached to a sticker that you will have to attach to the switch. This allows the mechanism to simulate the push and pull of the switch.

The connection works via bluetooth and is seamless.

What is even more amazing is that the SwitchBot connects to google home without the use of the Hub!

Now, this brings me to the SwitchBot Hub and why I bought it. The hub comes in this cloud shape that transitions between subtle rainbow colors when connected. (I can imagine how many people would purchase the hub just to use it as a decor - I assume that is also the reason for its design).

The SwitchBot hub works to control the SwitchBot via bluetooth (assuming the SwitchBot is within a certain radius). The hub also doubles up as an IR blaster for all IR appliances. This would be especially useful for those who do not have preexisting IR blasters for their devices.

I purchased the hub because I wanted to be able to control the SwitchBot via Google Home even when I am not physically present since the hub is the

device that will be able to wireless

connect to Google Home.

Personally, I am really impressed by the ease in connecting this device with Google Home and to my smartphone. I will attempt to connect this hub to control my Philips Smart TV and Dyson fan soon. (By the way, you need to connect the SwitchBot to Google Home via the SwitchBot application and not the Google Home application)

Next up, we have the Sensibo.

This device has been out in the market for quite sometime now and with the heavy online marketing they do, it should not be alien to most. I bought the Sensibo off Lazada @ S$130.00

The Sensible acts as a IR blaster for your air-conditioning and is advertised as a "Smart Air-Conditioner Controller". Note that this is different as compared to a temperature controller or monitor.

The Sensibo connects with Google Home or on its own to your wifi and essentially blasts out a signal every time you want to turn on or off your A/C.

Through the Sensibo app, you are able to see the present temperature of the room and adjust the strength of the fan, temperature and the direction of the air. I generally only use the Sensibo to power up or down my A/C or to adjust the temperature.

Do note that because this is essentially and A/C specific IR blaster, you will not be able to use this for anything else. (You may be better off using the SwitchBot Hub as an IR blaster if you only need to turn on/off your A/C and do not require functions like adjusting the temperature)

A few things I dislike about this device is that it has to be placed high enough in your room in order for the sensor to reach your A/C. This would mean a long trail of wire hanging down from the Sensibo into your power plug.

Additionally, Sensibo does not actually know whether the A/C is on or off. So if you use your own remote control to control the A/C, you may not get accurate indicators of the temperature or the status of the A/C.

Lastly, the Somfy Mornin+. Again, this product is relatively new in the market and there are now, many alternatives to this. One alternative would be the SwitchBot curtain motors that are now on Kickstarter. I bought the Mornin+ on the official Somfy website @ S$119.00 for the twin pack. (You need 2 of these motors if your curtains have a centre opening)

The Somfy Mornin+ is a retrofit curtain motors that you attach to your preexisting curtain tracks in order to motorize it.

The installation process is rather simple, unless you meet with a bump like me.

Generally, you should be able to install the motor by attaching it to the track, before the first hook of the curtain as seen in the picture. When activated via the bluetooth remote control that is your phone, the motor will essentially drag your curtain across the tracks.

*Do note that this will not work with curtains that are too heavy

This plug-and-play device actually cost me more money than anticipated as I had to replace my entire curtain tracks in order to fit the motors. (Yes, I really wanted it to work). This was because the rollers of the motor were too big to fit into my tracks. Do note that it will only fit into tracks with the below specifications:-

One feature that I find to be extremely useful would be the timer feature. I essentially need my curtains to open in the morning and close at night and this feature does it extremely well.

Additionally, you are able to control the length of time in which the motors draw open or close the curtains should you wish to have the curtains drawn to a certain length.

However, one drawback is that as this only works via bluetooth, it might take awhile for your smartphone to connect to the motors each time you want to control it via your smartphone.

Overall, I am extremely happy with all these devices. Do take advantage of the Black Friday sales coming up to enjoy special discounts on all these items! They make perfect Christmas gifts too as they are all retrofitted.