In case you missed the news at the recent ISE 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, the British smart tech manufacturer Rithum introduced its follow-up to the award winning Rithum Switch: the Rithum Switch Pro. Geared exclusively for installers, the Rithum Switch Pro is what Founder & CEO, Ryan Ovens describes as a challenge to the “status quo of the control system.”
“Rithum Switch Pro now builds on the progress we’ve made with Rithum Switch and offers installers the solution that many of them have asked for,” notes Ovens.
“Rithum has applications not just in smart home but far beyond, where we are seeing it specified as a mid-market alternative to clunky centralised systems in meetings rooms, hotels, hospitality settings and more.”
Rithum Switch Pro Adds KNX, Shelly Integrations
As it follows in the footsteps of the Rithum Switch, the Pro version has much the same functionality as its predecessor, with a few added bells and whistles for CE pros, the biggest one being that it now features Power Over Ethernet (PoE), ditching the reliance on Wi-Fi of the original model.
Additionally, the Pro comes equipped with integrated speakers and a microphone for use as an intercom. The Pro version also comes stocked with a plethora of sensors for temperature, humidity, proximity and light for added capabilities in HVAC and lighting automations/sequences.
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Pitched as an alternative to many more expansive (and expensive) control systems, the Rithum Switch (and in turn the Rithum Switch Pro) employ integrations through the availability of multiple software plugins. The switch itself replaces any existing light switch as a new smart home control panel.
Out of the box, the control panel is immediately capable of connecting with Philips Hue and Sonos systems and developing automations/schedules around those devices.
However, through software plugins, the panel can integrate with BluOS, BluOS Lite, HDANYWHERE Core, Tado, Athom Homey Pro, as well as many more with several additional plugins being announced at ISE 2024 for Zuma, KNX, CoolAutomation, Shelly, and Audioflow as well.
In this way the Rithum Switch (and the Rithum Switch Pro) seem to follow a prevalent trend of modular devices replacing existing wall fixtures to help future proof the smart home, employing plugins and modules that are meant to increase and expand the functionality of the device over time.
The company states is constantly developing new plugins, with professionals and users alike being able to vote on what integrations can be added next through the Rithum forums.
According to the company, the Rithum Switch Pro is slated for release in April of this year.
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