Roller blinds controlled by Alexa?

mrcheez

I spotted a kickstarter for roller blind adapter controlled by Alexa but they are a pretty hefty fee at around $105 each.

Was just wondering if there were cheaper alternatives before I take the plunge?

My blinds are currently a little awkward to reach so it'd be nice to automate them.

ted1

For some reason there seems to be a big gap in the market here.
There’s teptron move but reviews aren’t great and says it takes a few minutes to close the blinds.

There’s Somfy stuff but it’s expensive. But it works well how Focus in carrrickmines have it on display and I’m tempted

kenmc

ted1 wrote: »

For some reason there seems to be a big gap in the market here.
There’s teptron move but reviews aren’t great and says it takes a few minutes to close the blinds.

There’s Somfy stuff but it’s expensive. But it works well how Focus in carrrickmines have it on display and I’m tempted

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z66CwQ6Qpj8&t=706s

this might be of interest, spotted it last week

mrcheez

Seem to but a lot of DIY jobbies out there alright. I guess it comes down to do I spend several days ordering parts and trying to build the thing with no guarantee it works, or just throw down the cash for a pre-built thing with a warranty and Alexa integration already done.

Certainly a gap in the market there though... Hmm time to book a flight to China to get prototype built I reckon

ted1

Here’s another one

http://www.wired.co.uk/article/brunt-blind-engine

Seems faster than move

mrcheez

ted1 wrote: »

Here’s another one

http://www.wired.co.uk/article/brunt-blind-engine

Seems faster than move

That's the kick starter one I was referring to

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/blind-engine-make-a-smart-motorized-blind-gadgets

Not sure if they've reached their goal for shipping yet though

ted1

They seem to have shipped recently

Here’s the ones I was on about https://www.teptron.com that seem to be too slow.

And these ones for Venetian blinds. https://www.mysmartblinds.com/products/automation-kit

I’m having new windows fitted tomorrow so will be getting new blinds shortly and the ones for 105 look the best

mrcheez

I'd probably go for the 5 pack as I need 5 or 6

mrcheez

ted1 wrote: »

They seem to have shipped recently

Here’s the ones I was on about https://www.teptron.com that seem to be too slow.

And these ones for Venetian blinds. https://www.mysmartblinds.com/products/automation-kit

I’m having new windows fitted tomorrow so will be getting new blinds shortly and the ones for 105 look the best

So did you end up getting these ted1 ?

nigwerwig

I'm interested in a battery roller blind unit that works with Google home any one have one that works good

The high horse brigade

nigwerwig wrote: »

I'm interested in a battery roller blind unit that works with Google home any one have one that works good

Don't buy a Tempron Move. I bought one and returned it for a full refund. It struggled to handle a single light roller blind. Also it's only controllable with the app on your phone using Bluetooth and cannot ever be used by Google Assistant.

nigwerwig

The high horse brigade wrote: »

Don't buy a Tempron Move. I bought one and returned it for a full refund. It struggled to handle a single light roller blind. Also it's only controllable with the app on your phone using Bluetooth and cannot ever be used by Google Assistant.

IV just off there site now. no GA why would you not have this that's the hole point of it imo .
Did find anything else

The high horse brigade

nigwerwig wrote: »

IV just off there site now. no GA why would you not have this that's the hole point of it imo .
Did find anything else

They are working on a new version Movez which has Zwave, but to be honest the integration wasn't my main complaint, it struggled to handle a light blind with little resistance in the pull chain.

nigwerwig

The high horse brigade wrote: »

They are working on a new version Movez which has Zwave, but to be honest the integration wasn't my main complaint, it struggled to handle a light blind with little resistance in the pull chain.

My blinds are new and there is alot of Force to get the roller chain to move so this is a no go.
Id like to be able to close the blind and turn on a lamp when I'm not in . I have a few bits ordered for the lighting. Just can't seem to find much out there for blind .

Axis gear was one I came across

nigwerwig

https://www.niceforyou.com/en

there is a place in Dublin selling them
Going to find out more

mrcheez

Spotted these: https://eu.somasmarthome.com/

They seem to be powered by solar energy which is handy as the main issue I had was worrying about how to power the blinds. But at least they appear to be controlled by Alexa as I requested.

Expensive though.

nigwerwig

mrcheez wrote: »

Spotted these: https://eu.somasmarthome.com/

They seem to be powered by solar energy which is handy as the main issue I had was worrying about how to power the blinds. But at least they appear to be controlled by Alexa as I requested.

Expensive though.

There working on Google assistant I emailed them today should be out in 6 months or so
Shame you need the hub for this, one more thing to plug in and it's 130 on top of the price

mrcheez

nigwerwig wrote: »

There working on Google assistant I emailed them today should be out in 6 months or so
Shame you need the hub for this, one more thing to plug in and it's 130 on top of the price

price is still too high for me for what amounts to a 3 min time saving device

nigwerwig

mrcheez wrote: »

price is still too high for me for what amounts to a 3 min time saving device

Yes very hard to justify the price. I really want it for holidays and evenings when I'm not home so I can remote close them and look like someone is home .

mrcheez

nigwerwig wrote: »

Yes very hard to justify the price. I really want it for holidays and evenings when I'm not home so I can remote close them and look like someone is home .

Switching on lights remotely is a great solution for this. Also a Ring doorbell (or other CCTV connected to the cloud).

nigwerwig

mrcheez wrote: »

Switching on lights remotely is a great solution for this. Also a Ring doorbell (or other CCTV connected to the cloud).

Yeah have CCTV .order some lights and a Google home . Looking to see how the nest door bell works out here before I get one and the nest heating. Roller blinds and that's me

mrcheez

I see IKEA have Google Home-controlled blinds now

https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/p/fyrtur-block-out-roller-blind-wireless-battery-operated-grey-80408199/


Alexa support coming... very interested....


Would like more colours to choose from, but I guess I could live with the bedroom having grey blinds, and then get the natural daylight to wake me up automatically as the blinds rise during the morning.

ted1

mrcheez wrote: »

I see IKEA have Google Home-controlled blinds now

https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/p/fyrtur-block-out-roller-blind-wireless-battery-operated-grey-80408199/


Alexa support coming... very interested....


Would like more colours to choose from, but I guess I could live with the bedroom having grey blinds, and then get the natural daylight to wake me up automatically as the blinds rise during the morning.

Thread here : https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2058011317/2/#post111505039