HASS based Harmony Hub replacement

[xlegs]

Describe your idea

I have been the Harmony Hub as a universal remote control for a long time, but Logitech decided not to manufacture them any more.

I am still using mine, but once it breaks, I will need to switch to some alternative. The problem is that I will be stuck in a different remote ecosystem and be at the mercy of a company to continue manufacturing the remotes and supporting the software.

Meanwhile, I am using Home Assistant and Zigbee. This combination means that my smart devices will continue the work no matter what happens to the device manufacturer. I can also replace my Zigbee devices and still use the same automations. Home Assistant is designed as a safe haven from corporate meddling.

I think the Home Assistant to be a perfect replacement for the Harmony Hub.

Why is this exciting?

Let's take a look at the hardware requirements for hub:

• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• RF control
• IR blaster (and ports for an extender)
• IR receiver (for code learning)

This a fairly simple list. What differentiates the replacements are the software and the remotes.

Every single remote needs some compatibility database. Home Assistant already has an advantage here. All we need is a similar integration database for IR codes. This kind of thing really should be open anyway. Having multiple companies maintaining separate database makes no sense.

The biggest issue I see with replacements like the Unfolded Circle and Sofabaton is those companies need to create a new remote, hub, and software experience. It's a big lift, and these companies are basically reinventing the wheel.

I propose that Home Assistant can be the "brains" of the remote, but the hub and remote control can be mixed and matched.

For example, I don't want a touch screen on my remote. I would like to able to buy a "works with Home Assistant" controller that can be added to HASS. The same goes for hubs. There are several advantages to this:

• Small manufactures and DIYers can make a wide variety of handsets without worrying about compatibility.
• Users would not be locked into a single vendor. Even as companies come and go, replacements can be found easily.
• Users don't need to re-do all my remote setup every single time

Potential use cases

Finally having a truly open harmony alternative

Anything else?

No response

[mik-laj]

For IR receiver and IR transmitter, I found a ready board:
https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005009443946658.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2pol

but It lacks of jack ports for extenders. For both transmitter and receiver.

As for software, I think it would be best to use ESPhome, which already has extensive support for many IR and RF protocols.
https://esphome.io/components/remote_transmitter/
https://esphome.io/components/remote_receiver/