The Sofabaton X1 remote control system aims to replace all your other remote controls in your house thanks to infrared, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity implemented through the X1 Hub, plus an integrated 2-inch on the remote itself for configuration and device selection.
The company claims that over 500,000 devices are supported including TVs, DVD & Blu-Ray players, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, etc…, and voice commands are also supported through Google Home and Amazon Alexa voice services.
SofabatonX1 specifications:
- X1 Hub
- Connectivity
- 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi 4
- Bluetooth 5.0 LE & Bluetooth 3.0
- Infrared – 10 kHz to 100 kHz
- Power Supply – 5V/2A via USB Type-C port
- Material – PMMA
- Connectivity
- X1 Remote
- Connectivity – Not mentioned…
- Display – 2-inch display with clickable scroll wheel
- User input – D-Pad, Backlit volume, trick modes, 4x customizable buttons, etc…
- Battery – 1,050 mAh LiPo battery good for about 2 months on a charge after a 30-minute charge
- Power Supply – 5V/0.4A via USB Type-C port
- Material – PC+ABS
The remote control and hub will ship with a charger, USB-C cables to power/charge the hub and remote control, two infrared blaster extension cords, and a user manual.
We are not told how the X1 Remote communicates with the X1 Hub, but I’d assume it is relying on Bluetooth LE, as the X1 Hub can also be controlled through your phone using an Android/iOS mobile app. That may also mean you’d need a hub per room to control IR devices unless the remote control also comes with an IR transmitter.
The product description does not provide that many details showing how it works, so the best is to watch third-party reviews like the one embedded below. The features look similar to Logitech Harmony remote control that is being discontinue, so it could offer an intertesting alternative.
The Sofabaton X1 is currently showcased on Kickstarter with around $640,000 raised from 5500+ backers with 5 days to go. Rewards start at $99 for the early-bird version of the remote with all accessories. Shipping adds $22 to most of the world, and the remote control system is expected to ship in November, or a month after the crowdfunding campaign ends.
We’ve previously written about this type of remote control before with the Sevenhugs Smart Remote launched on Kickstarter in 2016 and over one million dollars in funding. The website is now down, and the remote control will stop working in June 2022 with many angry comments from KS backers. That means Sevenhugs remote control relies on the cloud to work, and it will be stopped. It appears the Sofabaton X1 system may also rely on cloud connectivity, but the company promises a local API as well. From the FAQ:
Does X1 support local API to integrate the remote control into a home automation system without going through the cloud?
Yes, we will open the local API of X1 by providing an API file. , but X1 cannot directly add APIs of other products or smart platforms.
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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Most of the rewards are gone, including the single remote variants.
Also it would be nice if this was open source so one could update it if needed/desired.