Basics of wireless smart home solutions

From my experience with parents and parents-in-law, I deduce that I will myself develop into a DAU over the years with a certain probability. In addition, I want to have the infrastructural option to be able to grow old in the house - the house is designed accordingly. Therefore, two alternatives came into consideration for me: either an extremely high-quality automation that makes human intervention in daily life obsolete - or a super simple implementation of the basic functions light, heat, and access. I have chosen the simple solution.

Is it even possible to downgrade the Rolls to crank windows?

I think this is an important aspect when planning: not only the wife-acceptance factor, but also the DAU compatibility: besides a battery of Rubik’s cube switches, also adding one that simply works with analog I/O. So guests don’t have to wear a visitor’s badge with a transponder just to get the light on in the bathroom :)

The WAF (woman acceptance factor) is usually associated with the integration of technical gadgets into the home living room in terms of appearance. Less so with the more or less resulting comfort that comes with it.
For example: Is the soundbar also available in “taupe” instead of black, please?

But yes, I also believe that the switch should simply turn the light on or off. What technology is ultimately behind it for this to work is usually irrelevant to the user. Additional comfort functions don’t need to be “openly” visible. They may remain hidden behind smart apps, key combinations, or similar.

By the way, DAU is translated (for the uninformed) as “dumbest assumable user.” That’s how I felt once when I couldn’t get any water out of the “designer” faucet for a long time in a hypermodern bathroom at a customer’s place (cabinetmaking workshop). So much for “form follows function” :mad:

Thank you very much for the many responses. The thread was not intended as a "Wireless vs KNX" discussion, but that was hardly avoidable lol. I have continued to deal with the subject and have come to the conclusion that I will consider KNX and possibly use wireless for expansion or if KNX turns out to be totally out of my budget for what I want to do.

What I also want to mention: during my research, I noticed that the discussion "KNX vs Wireless" is often very ideological, especially among KNX users. I now think both systems have their justification and depending on wishes and plans also their advantages.

As an expert in radio technology for single-family homes, I can only advise against it! Zigbee, Z-Wave, EnOcean, etc. were all developed for buildings where nowadays a lot of glass or drywall partition walls are installed, where the room layout changes, etc. If you still want that, I would recommend having deep flush-mounted boxes installed as I mentioned earlier. The only combination that makes sense in a single-family home is the EnOcean window contacts or window handles, which then send signals to a KNX gateway. This way you save yourself the wiring.

I can only advise against radio as an expert in single-family homes! Zigbee, Z-Wave, EnOcean, etc. were all developed for buildings where nowadays a lot of glass or drywall partition walls are installed, where the room layout changes, etc. If you still want that, I would have deep flush-mounted boxes installed as I mentioned before.

The house will be a timber frame bungalow, so the problems that often arise from reinforced concrete walls/ceilings should not play a role. As said, it should only be used in emergencies. KNX RF also exists. I've already thought about the deep flush-mounted boxes, thanks :)

as you wish.

Just for your information:



this applies 90% to EnOcean.