Exploratory research into physical interaction devices for HA, MA etc.
Research focus
The aim of this proposal is not to design finished products immediately.
Instead, the research would explore four key points -
-
How can physical controls improve interaction with Home Assistant compared to purely touchscreen interfaces?
-
What kinds of hardware designs best support the tinkerer and builder community?*
-
How can a small set of open hardware modules support many different smart-home interaction patterns?* (see the 'Precision Puck' for this.)
-
90% of the remotes/ controllers (unfolded, harmony etc) come with ideas of use in mind, and I think this goes against the ethos of OHF. What would be more representative of the OHF philosophy?
The goal of this research is to explore a set of physical control objects for Home Assistant that are intentionally designed for the tinkerer and builder community.
Rather than producing finished consumer devices, the focus is on creating open, modular hardware concepts that people can build, modify, and reinterpret themselves. The objects should be simple enough to assemble from kits, yet flexible enough that builders can construct their own versions using 3D printed parts, CNC aluminium, laser-cut acrylic, carved wood, rocks, anything.
Each object explores a different interaction pattern with a smart home system. They are designed to work independently, but also form a coherent family of devices that share a similar philosophy and technical architecture.
The following three objects are proposed as the starting point for this exploration.
The Navigator
The Navigator is intended to be a general-purpose physical interface for interacting with Home Assistant. Instead of navigating through dashboards on a phone or tablet, the device provides a small physical control surface that allows users to quickly access and manipulate parts of their home system.
The device is not meant to be a fixed-function controller. Instead, it acts as a programmable interaction platform. Builders can decide how the controls behave, what devices they interact with, and how the enclosure is constructed.
For tinkerers, the benefit is that the Navigator becomes something they can adapt to their own environment, whether that means building it into a wooden desk console, a 3D printed handheld remote, or a custom wall-mounted controller.
Functionality and interaction
- a small screen for context and feedback
- three rotary encoders for precise adjustments
- eight*(or XXX number) programmable buttons with small digital displays
The buttons dynamically change their icons or labels depending on what part of the system is currently being controlled.
- lighting controls
- media playback
- room navigation
- automation triggers
- climate adjustments
https://worklouder.cc/creator-micro-2
The knobs provide continuous input for things like brightness, temperature, volume, or other adjustable values.
https://play.date/shop/
https://monome.org/docs/grid/
The ideal interaction feel should be solid and mechanical, closer to a synthesiser controller or studio equipment than a typical smart-home remote.
Personal opinion on remotes is 'no'.
https://store.unfoldedcircle.com/
Extra mention..
https://www.elgato.com/eu/en
The Precision Puck
A PHYSICAL programmable dual axis controler
This explores a different interaction concept: controlling two variables at the same time through physical movement.
The key part to this idea is depending on the element being controlled, the controller will lock into only allowing certain movements. For example if controlling a curtain rail that operates horizontally, the puck indicates it can only move horizontally before returning to the start point. Much like how a CNC machine would.
For builders, the puck is intended to act as a reusable interaction module that can be integrated into many different builds. It might appear in a handheld controller, a desk console, or a wall panel.
v01 is basically a joystick.
Functionality and interaction
The device outputs two axes of positional input (X and Y).
This input can be mapped to any pair of values within Home Assistant. ie...
- lighting colour temperature vs brightness
- camera pan vs tilt
- media navigation vs volume
- blind angle vs height
In early prototypes this could simply be implemented using a two-axis joystick mechanism, allowing rapid experimentation with the interaction concept.
Later versions could explore more sophisticated mechanical implementations such as sliding pucks, magnetic detents, or adjustable resistance.
The ideal feel should be smooth and deliberate, encouraging continuous exploration rather than discrete button presses.
NOTE - Yes, a trackpad style input would work perfectly for a dual axis controller, the point here is to explore my phyiscal objects.
The Ambient Panel
A small physical dashboard per room/ area that functions as a button and touchpad. Around the same size of a standard 8x8cm european light switch.
- an energy monitor near the electrical panel
- a climate control panel in a living room
- a security status display near an entryway
- a workshop dashboard showing sensors and automation states
- LED surround to indicate if something is requiring attention and to indicate input required on controller pad.
Functionality and interaction
The panel centres around a small display that presents a simplified Home Assistant interface, designed to show the most relevant information about the home, changes in state.
A key part of the concept is a digital dual-axis control surface that behaves like a hybrid between a switch and a gesture pad. The surface can be physically pressed, providing a clear haptic “click” similar to a traditional on/off switch. At the same time, it supports two-axis gesture input, allowing users to slide across the surface to manipulate values.
This interaction enables a simple but expressive control model. A press can toggle a device or trigger an action, while horizontal and vertical gestures adjust two related parameters simultaneously. For example, a lighting interface could map brightness and colour temperature to the two axes, allowing users to shape the feel of a room with a single motion.
The goal of the Ambient Panel is to explore how a small, calm physical object can make interaction with a smart home feel more immediate and tactile, while still remaining flexible enough for builders to reinterpret and customise in their own projects.
NOTE! To display functionality without having the screen UI be key, the pad is surrounded by an LED array that changes configuration depending on use. For example, when controlling lights
THINGS THAT GET IT WRONG (IMO)
https://www.brilliant.tech/products/second-generation-2-switch-panel?variant=44910711668930
Extra buttons?
https://www.moooi.com/nl-nl/product/wireless-wall-switch-white
Close to the purpose, but relys on being maintained by outside sources - not as adaptable.
https://www.xda-developers.com/astrion-smart-remote-game-changer/
Exploratory research into physical interaction devices for HA, MA etc.
Research focus
The aim of this proposal is not to design finished products immediately.
Instead, the research would explore four key points -
How can physical controls improve interaction with Home Assistant compared to purely touchscreen interfaces?
What kinds of hardware designs best support the tinkerer and builder community?*
How can a small set of open hardware modules support many different smart-home interaction patterns?* (see the 'Precision Puck' for this.)
90% of the remotes/ controllers (unfolded, harmony etc) come with ideas of use in mind, and I think this goes against the ethos of OHF. What would be more representative of the OHF philosophy?
The goal of this research is to explore a set of physical control objects for Home Assistant that are intentionally designed for the tinkerer and builder community.
Rather than producing finished consumer devices, the focus is on creating open, modular hardware concepts that people can build, modify, and reinterpret themselves. The objects should be simple enough to assemble from kits, yet flexible enough that builders can construct their own versions using 3D printed parts, CNC aluminium, laser-cut acrylic, carved wood, rocks, anything.
Each object explores a different interaction pattern with a smart home system. They are designed to work independently, but also form a coherent family of devices that share a similar philosophy and technical architecture.
The following three objects are proposed as the starting point for this exploration.
The Navigator
The Navigator is intended to be a general-purpose physical interface for interacting with Home Assistant. Instead of navigating through dashboards on a phone or tablet, the device provides a small physical control surface that allows users to quickly access and manipulate parts of their home system.
The device is not meant to be a fixed-function controller. Instead, it acts as a programmable interaction platform. Builders can decide how the controls behave, what devices they interact with, and how the enclosure is constructed.
For tinkerers, the benefit is that the Navigator becomes something they can adapt to their own environment, whether that means building it into a wooden desk console, a 3D printed handheld remote, or a custom wall-mounted controller.
Functionality and interaction
The buttons dynamically change their icons or labels depending on what part of the system is currently being controlled.
The knobs provide continuous input for things like brightness, temperature, volume, or other adjustable values.
The ideal interaction feel should be solid and mechanical, closer to a synthesiser controller or studio equipment than a typical smart-home remote.
Extra mention..
https://www.elgato.com/eu/en
The Precision Puck
A PHYSICAL programmable dual axis controler
This explores a different interaction concept: controlling two variables at the same time through physical movement.
The key part to this idea is depending on the element being controlled, the controller will lock into only allowing certain movements. For example if controlling a curtain rail that operates horizontally, the puck indicates it can only move horizontally before returning to the start point. Much like how a CNC machine would.
For builders, the puck is intended to act as a reusable interaction module that can be integrated into many different builds. It might appear in a handheld controller, a desk console, or a wall panel.
v01 is basically a joystick.
Functionality and interaction
The device outputs two axes of positional input (X and Y).
This input can be mapped to any pair of values within Home Assistant. ie...
In early prototypes this could simply be implemented using a two-axis joystick mechanism, allowing rapid experimentation with the interaction concept.
Later versions could explore more sophisticated mechanical implementations such as sliding pucks, magnetic detents, or adjustable resistance.
The ideal feel should be smooth and deliberate, encouraging continuous exploration rather than discrete button presses.
NOTE - Yes, a trackpad style input would work perfectly for a dual axis controller, the point here is to explore my phyiscal objects.
The Ambient Panel
A small physical dashboard per room/ area that functions as a button and touchpad. Around the same size of a standard 8x8cm european light switch.
Functionality and interaction
The panel centres around a small display that presents a simplified Home Assistant interface, designed to show the most relevant information about the home, changes in state.
A key part of the concept is a digital dual-axis control surface that behaves like a hybrid between a switch and a gesture pad. The surface can be physically pressed, providing a clear haptic “click” similar to a traditional on/off switch. At the same time, it supports two-axis gesture input, allowing users to slide across the surface to manipulate values.
This interaction enables a simple but expressive control model. A press can toggle a device or trigger an action, while horizontal and vertical gestures adjust two related parameters simultaneously. For example, a lighting interface could map brightness and colour temperature to the two axes, allowing users to shape the feel of a room with a single motion.
The goal of the Ambient Panel is to explore how a small, calm physical object can make interaction with a smart home feel more immediate and tactile, while still remaining flexible enough for builders to reinterpret and customise in their own projects.
NOTE! To display functionality without having the screen UI be key, the pad is surrounded by an LED array that changes configuration depending on use. For example, when controlling lights
THINGS THAT GET IT WRONG (IMO)
https://www.brilliant.tech/products/second-generation-2-switch-panel?variant=44910711668930
Extra buttons?
https://www.moooi.com/nl-nl/product/wireless-wall-switch-white