Great questions. You clearly are really researching this well and understand how the tech works. I&#;m honored that Bond is top of your list for control solutions
With competitive price and timely delivery, youzhen sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
robotsgoboop:robotsgoboop:
- I see that selectBlinds sells a &#;select connect bridge&#; - Is there any difference between the plain bond bridge? same firmware, uses same bond home Android app ?
Same Bond Home app. SelectConnect Bridge is optimized for working with SelectBlinds products, it may be somewhat easier to set up, and firmware updates may be available sooner for addressing issues with SelectBlinds shades versus the Bond Bridge. However, at this time, all the SelectBlinds shades that we support are indeed supported on both the SelectConnect Bridge and the Bond Bridge.
robotsgoboop:robotsgoboop:
- The selectBlinds blinds/shades apparently have a QR code on them to help with pairing - Does that require the selectConnect bridge / some selectConnect specific app to work ?
Works with Bond Home app. This is part of what makes the SelectBlinds-branded products easier to set up.
robotsgoboop:robotsgoboop:
- If I do require the select connect bridge (for some reason), can I still use it to do home assistant
Yes. It has the same API so the HA integration just works.
robotsgoboop:robotsgoboop:
and also use the select connect bridge for controlling other devices (like a fan I already have, something else that is RF in the future)
Yes, unless they are IR. SelectConnect Bridge does not have IR support.
robotsgoboop:robotsgoboop:
Does using the physical remote to make a shade go up, would I bond bridge know the shade is now up (and I could see the state in home assistant?) Or, does this require something like the sidekick + bond bridge pro to achieve?
Factory Remote + any Bridge = state will be out of sync on the app & integrations
Want more information on Custom Aluminum Castings? Feel free to contact us.
Sidekick Gen2 + Bond Bridge Pro = state will remain in sync
Note that, like the factory remote, Sidekick can still control the motors even if the Bridge is unplugged because it communicates directly to the shade.
robotsgoboop:robotsgoboop:
Or does the bond do something clever like receive the same RF signal from remotes and can infer state that way?
Sadly, no. That would be awesome, but impractical due to the limited signal strength from the remotes that often cannot be decoded two rooms away by the Bridge.
robotsgoboop:robotsgoboop:
I assume that the bond bridge acts as a local server for saving the known devices. Does that mean in order to control devices through home assistant, that I have to register the devices with the bond bridge using the bond home app?
That is correct.
Note that cloud is required for (1) account creation & login, and (2) initial Bridge discovery after adding to WiFi. Thereafter, everything is local. You can airgap if you really want to.
Setup of the devices is not easy via API directly, due to the multitude of motor technologies on the market which each have their own different setup procedures. The app makes this easy. However, we do publish our full API spec so if someone really wants to configure new devices with Bridge via HA, they are welcome to [write the python code to] do so.
SelectBlinds, an online retailer of custom window coverings, has released its inaugural smart bridge named the SelectConnect Bridge. This has been developed in association with Olibra/Bond. The SelectConnect Bridge was introduced to the market earlier this year. This device, combined with its dedicated application, facilitates the management of up to 30 SelectBlinds shades and blinds within a home that spans 2,500 square feet. For homes exceeding this size, customers have the option to combine multiple bridges and manage them as a singular unit, either on-site or from a remote location.
The SelectConnect Bridge allows users to connect and operate their motorized window coverings from SelectBlinds via an application or voice assistants. The main goal of this product, as emphasized by SelectBlinds CEO Satya Sivunigunta, is to offer users an accessible means to integrate smart home functionalities for their window coverings without imposing a significant financial burden.
The SelectConnect Bridge has been designed to work seamlessly with various platforms and devices such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. In addition, its companion application, the Bond Home app, is available for both iPhone and Android users. This app not only facilitates basic operations but also enables programming, scheduling, and integration with several voice-activated platforms.
This collaboration was facilitated by the New Jersey-based tech firm, Olibra, which provided a custom version of its Bond Bridge RF-to-WiFi control solution specifically for this venture. Olibra/Bond&#;s CEO, Zohar Shinar, expressed that the partnership with SelectBlinds was a logical step, given the alignment between SelectBlinds&#; Direct-To-Consumer approach and Olibra/Bond&#;s focus on ease of installation and use. He also conveyed optimism about the continued success of this joint venture.
In line with its commitment to enhancing the customer experience, SelectBlinds emphasizes that the SelectConnect Bridge offers both control and convenience. Moreover, customers who choose to purchase the SelectConnect Bridge will have round-the-clock access to Bond&#;s Home customer service. Interested parties can explore and purchase the SelectConnect Bridge on the official SelectBlinds website.
For more information about SelectBlinds and their new SelectConnect bridge, check out their website here.