You can use them directly with the eWeLink Alexa skill apparently.

I'm using openHAB so I have re-flashed them by fitting a pin header and using the Arduino IDE and Tasmota firmware although I believe you can do it OTA now.

Not quite sure what you are asking here but if you want automated lights but want to retain the ability to turn them on and off via the original wall switch then something like Philips Hue* is ideal for this.

*Other makes are available.

yup that was my idea as well, to be able to use it with alexa and openHAB

I just checked. You still need the pin header to program the flash initially. Then you can change things OTA.

Use MQTT to control the device via openHAB.

Not sure if this might be of use/interest to someone who is setting up a system.

https://www.unipi.technology/

I use Philips Hue lights - they simply screw in to existing sockets and are controlled by an app on my phone. They have been great so far!

I was dragged to IKEA recently. Stumbled across the Tradfli system. Replaced the bulbs in my sitting room ceiling plus lamps and they are now all controlled by a single switch. The switch itself is separate to the regular switch but it comes with some 3m tape so I just stuck it next to the existing one. I am very happy with it.

The bulbs were 20 each, controller 15, there is an option to add a gateway (then lights can be controlled by phone) which I didn't bother with for 35 extra. I don't know how this compares to competitors but it seems quite reasonable and is very easy to set up.

My understanding is you only need the IKEA Tradfri gateway if you want to control each bulb individually or set them to come on when you're out (security feature).

We've had a similar setup for 6 months now and very happy with it....

You can also use the Philips Hue Gateway instead of the Ikea gateway to control Ikea Trådfri lamps (they both use the same ZigBee protocol).

Of course this works the other way round too and you can control Philips Hue bulbs from the Ikea gateway (but I believe you can only currently change brightness and white spectrum and not colour).

Is there a simple system that allows me to control my lights and motorized shutters via an app? I currently have large wall switches in each room which control these, so I'm hoping there's some sort of snap-over-the-top switch I can buy which simply presses the existing switch it sits on top of.

If there's no such thing, is there something simply I could fit myself?

Thanks

Use a big stick?

I saw an ad the other day for this company - DigitalSTROM AG (German-Swiss) that came out of ETH. Their HQ is in Kanton ZH. Their solution(s) might be of interest to someone.

Link: https://www.digitalstrom.com/en/System/Overview/

No, not that I am aware of.

No, not that I am aware of. Not simple, anyway.

The easiest shutters to control remotely via a smart phone or a PC app are those that already have a RF remote control. You can easily mimic the signals and close and open your shutters that way.

If the wall switches are hard-wired to the shutter control units then putting a relay (contact side) in parallel with the switch and controlling the relay remotely would do it.

You could also wire up a relay/RF receiver at the actual shutter motor/control board too.

None of the above are particularly simple.

If your blinds don't have any RF control, the best way is to go with a relay control like https://aeotec.com/z-wave-motor-shutter-curtain-control .

You could also play with something like a Switchbot, but I honestly thing that would be just too messy.

Nice solution (doesn't use RF) - especially for retrofitting in an existing house but pretty expensive.

I have something similar from PHC. All switches in the house are actually buttons and the switchboard does all the actual on-off switching. YOu can program using USB pretty much anything. But components are not cheap :-(

Ball-park figure for a 3 bedroom flat?

Just for the shutters or for other stuff too?

Including professional fitting?

4 sets of shutters + lights throughout. I can wire a light switch / hang and wire a ceiling light, but I guess this is a little more complicated so probably pro installation would be needed. It's a rented apartment so I would imagine the landlord / authorities would want to see a certified electrician do it.

With digitalStrom, it would probably be about 3000CHF for the parts (possibly more) and I've no idea about installation (10K?)