ITEAD Studio has launched two new low cost home automation products with Sonoff smart switch, and Slampher smart E27 light bulb adapter both supporting control via WiFi and your Android smartphone, or 433MHz with a simple remote control, while still retaining the capability to control your electrical appliances and lights with a manual switch.
Installation is pretty easy, and safer than some other products like Semlamp.
- Sonoff – You simply need to cut the cable to your appliance, and insert two wires into the IN part, and the other two wires into the OUT part. Turn if on, and add it to the app if you are going to use a smartphone
- Slampher – Remove your light bulb from its current socket, screws the bulb to Slampher, and put it back into your socket. Register the light in to the app and your done.
Both devices will send data to a cloud platform via WiFi Router, which allows for status synchronization to the app. For example, if you turn on a light with the app, and turn it off with the remote control, the app will still show the light is off. The cloud will also allow for Internet control of the appliances, so you don’t need to be at home to check the status or control your devices or lights. The app also includes support for up to 8 timing schedules.
Sonoff supports 90-250V, up to 10A, while Slampher supports 90-265V up to 2A. I’m not quite sure how they’ve implemented it, but considering the price, ESP8266 is probably involved ITEAD Studio confirmed it’s based on ESP8266, but a Mediatek solution is prepared as backup… You can see how this all works in the video below.
The project launched on Indiegogo a few days ago, and the company aims to raise $20,000. The $5 pledge is for early bird rewards (300 units) which includes Sonoff or Slampher and a 433MHz remote, with the price going up to $7 after. There are also other rewards with different quantities which brings the price down to about $5 per device, and considering shipping is $5 for all rewards, it might be worth getting a bundle with up to 4 devices, which is the maximum a single RF remote can support.
If you don’t need WiFi, there are already some similar packages on Aliexpress with 12 switches controlled by a single 433MHz remote selling for $78.
Thank you Nanik!
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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$5 for the switch + $5 for shipping = $10
hmm..I think there have been better deals than this if one really wants to access the switch via wifi (no remote etc.)
@sky770
care to point me to some of them?
Indiegogo page doesn’t say anything about getting a UL listing for these devices. That is a problem for North America. Stores won’t carry you without UL. Also your insurance may not pay if these harm someone or burn your house down. ETL listing is a cheaper alternative to pass the same safety rules. There are parallel rules for the EU.
I would like a device like those but open source with community support and based in some standard that does not depend on manufacturer cloud and app.
I do not want to depend on these companies with unknown future and internet security.
By the way, keeping the manual switch working is really smart.
@marios
well..I couldn’t find a wifi alternative; I think it was on some deal/special promotion but here’s what I got for $4.23 + free shipping:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-Practical-Digital-Smart-220V-Microcomputer-Remote-Control-Switch-2-Group-Dropshipping-Wholesale-FEN/32374135708.html?spm=2114.031010208.3.129.46oR5T&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_2_79_78_77_80,searchweb201644_0,searchweb201560_1
Also, as per the description it has a CE certified logo; can’t say if it’s fake 😀
@Carlos
I think manual switch is like a main switch. if it closed, the switch cannot be opened vy remote control or wifi.
@sky770
Thanks.
Wifi is the main reason I was looking into this one. Unfortunately I can’t find a wifi based one for a reasonable price (under 20USD)
@sky770 – why ???? no wifi… what was the point of directing me to a car without wheels?
@ov in no way was it a “car without wheels”
It’s about whether the car uses battery power (short range) or runs on gasoline(good coverage and widely accepted) 😐
Don’t you think so?
short range – radio vs higher ranger radio + can connect to other devices as well – wifi?
@Carlos
Now you don’t have to rely on their cloud…. how about implementing your own software as these do indeed use the ESP8266. Here is an article describing how they can be re-programmed – I have them responding to MQTT commands on my own “cloud”.
http://tech.scargill.net/itead-slampher-and-sonoff/
Anyone with ESP8266 programming experience can do this and soon even those without it.
is it available in india ?
i am interested for purchase.
@ap
I’m not sure it’s sold directly in India, but you can purchase online from Itead studio, eBay, and other places.