The driver development firm Chowmain has created the Haiku Driver for Control4 home automation systems, allowing two-way integration with consumer-oriented Big Ass Fans and Big Ass Lights. The $200 driver enables multispeed fan and dimmable lighting control via Control4 touchscreens, keypads, remote controls and mobile apps.
Back in January of this year, Big Ass Fans told us they did not have an open API per se, but the company's SenseME WiFi-enabled fans and lights do integrate with some smart devices including Amazon Echo, Nest and Jawbone's UP wrist band.
The Control4 driver appears to be the first two-way integration between BAF and a custom-centric home automation system. It works only with Control4 OS 2.8 and above.
Via Control4, users can jump to specific light levels and fan speeds with the touch of a button. In addition, the fan and light controls can be triggered by external events. For example, when the security system is armed to away, the Haiku devices could shut off. When a smoke detector trips, the fans could shut off. When the indoor temperature and humidity rises, the fan could spin.
At CES 2016 in January, Big Ass Fans introduced a complete Haiku product line for residential installations, including light fixtures and HVAC systems to complement the existing Haiku fans and Garage Series Light.
Related: Big Ass Fans Creates Haiku Smart Home Ecosystem with Affordable Fans, Smart Lights, Multizone HVAC
Haiku Driver for Control4
Features
- Automatically find Lights and Fans on your network
- Automatic polling every 30 seconds for updated feedback
Fan Features
- Automatic naming of device upon binding
- Assign Preset Speed (ON speed when toggled)
- Assignable Speeds
- Two way feedback – Speed, Device Name, Device MAC Address, Device IP Address
Light Features
- Automatic naming of device upon binding
- Auto mapped light levels (Control4 has 0-100 levels; Haiku natively has 0-16)
- Support for Advanced Lighting Scenes
- Two way feedback – Level, Device Name, Device MAC Address, Device IP Address
Sample Use Cases
- Integration with Control4 allows you to use control the Fans and Lights from any Control4 user interface including touchscreens, mobile devices, onscreen devices, keypads and 4sight.
- Program your home to automatically turn off all lights and fans when you arm the security system. Turn on fans if the temperature is high and you have just returned home.
- Link lighting and fans to motion sensors to save energy in unoccuped rooms.
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