EvoLink IR-controller details
A lot of devices are still being controlled with remote control emitting infrared light (IR). Widespread use started in the 80’s. It’s a cheap common way that works pretty well with the included remote control of your device. These days most households have multiple devices, resulting in multiple remotes. With the rise of soundbars and audio & video streaming the average amount of remotes has decreased recently, but having multiple remotes on the coffee table is still very common. Replacing these remotes with a single universal one has proven to be challenging. Devices speak different “languages” and have different “commands”. EvoLink has managed to do this in a way that works intuitive, by using touchscreens and your TV’s display to clearly communicate how to use it. It’s a hybrid system that also uses Bluetooth remote emulation, HDMI-CEC and IP control for more modern devices.
IR-remotes transmit a signal similar to morse code over a light beam. This infrared light is invisible to the human eye. Like a flashlight it needs to be aimed at the receiver in your TV & audio devices or airco. Unfortunately this results in not being able to hide your devices from sight in a cabinet easily, you always need to aim good enough and light from the sun, fluorescent lamps and your TV can interfere with the signal. Some people even have multiple devices in the same room responding to each others remote signals. Newer technologies like Bluetooth remotes have far less issues, but will take decades to fully replace IR-remotes in daily use.
EvoLink will be able to replace remote controls in a reliable and affordable way. Currently available IR-products suited for use in home automation are either expensive (over € 150,-) or unreliable (using only blasters that are susceptible to interference). Therefore EvoLink developed the EvoLink IR-controller. It uses small IR-emitters that stick directly onto the IR-receiver of your device, so interference is not an issue. So for example when you press the command to turn off your receiver, hidden in a cabinet, you’ll know for sure it will be turned off. When using a single button to turn off all your devices on your way out this reliability is essential.
The EvoLink software will take care of the communication with your devices. It will provide a database of IR-commands combined with an intuitive user interface. The IR-controller also has a built-in IR-receiver, so you can learn/record your remote’s IR-commands. These will automatically be shared globally so no one else needs to repeat this. This way less common devices will quickly become available for everyone.
The IR-controller has an open API, so it can also be used with other home automation software. Other software can tell it to transmit and receive IR-commands at no extra cost. Only the IR-commands database is not included for free, but for a very small monthly fee. This is expected to be somewhere around € 1,- per home monthly. EvoLink is even considering building an app solely for IR-control that doesn’t need a local hub. This way EvoLink offers an accessible and reliable IR-control solution for everyone!
EvoLink will offer the IR-controller for € 45,- incl. taxes and incl. € 20,- prepaid EvoLink-credit. This way it will be € 45,- for people using the free EvoLink software excl. the IR-commands database. For general EvoLink users the IR-controller hardware will effectively cost € 25,-. This way EvoLink can offer hardware for the lowest possible one-time price and stimulate other users to give the EvoLink software a try.
Because the EvoLink IR-controller enables controlling your devices via infrared it also enables hiding your devices in cabinets, status display in control panels, easily setting your devices to your favorite predefined settings, universal control with a single Bluetooth remote and advanced automation. More on this in separate blog articles.
Extra detailed info:
- includes 2x triple IR-emitter to control up to 6 devices
- extra IR-emitters, splitters and extension cables will be sold separately
- IR-blaster for less accessible devices sold separately to stimulate use of the included more reliable IR-emitters
- 2x 3.5mm jack connector for IR-outputs that can be used independently and simultaneously
- IR-outputs emitting all common IR-frequencies 20-60kHz
- IR-receiver that’s able to “learn” not only common 38kHz signals, but all 20-60kHz frequencies
- fast 160MHz microprocessor, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 5 provided by ESP32 module (Arduino compatible)
- powered via USB, communication via Wi-Fi or USB
- slim design doesn’t block other nearby ports, like the closely spaced USB connectors on a Raspberry Pi
- firmware can be upgraded via USB
- certification for CE, FCC etc. (relatively easy, because of using pre-certified module)
- design & production outsourced to experienced developers in The Netherlands
- logistics outsourced to worldwide fulfillment companies for nearly worldwide availability
- availability short before EvoLink’s first software release
Current prototype. Retail version will be shorter.
EvoLink IR-controller details
A lot of devices are still being controlled with remote control emitting infrared light (IR). Widespread use started in the 80’s. It’s a cheap common way that works pretty well with the included remote control of your device. These days most households have multiple devices, resulting in multiple remotes. With the rise of soundbars and audio & video streaming the average amount of remotes has decreased recently, but having multiple remotes on the coffee table is still very common. Replacing these remotes with a single universal one has proven to be challenging. Devices speak different “languages” and have different “commands”. EvoLink has managed to do this in a way that works intuitive, by using touchscreens and your TV’s display to clearly communicate how to use it. It’s a hybrid system that also uses Bluetooth remote emulation, HDMI-CEC and IP control for more modern devices.
IR-remotes transmit a signal similar to morse code over a light beam. This infrared light is invisible to the human eye. Like a flashlight it needs to be aimed at the receiver in your TV & audio devices or airco. Unfortunately this results in not being able to hide your devices from sight in a cabinet easily, you always need to aim good enough and light from the sun, fluorescent lamps and your TV can interfere with the signal. Some people even have multiple devices in the same room responding to each others remote signals. Newer technologies like Bluetooth remotes have far less issues, but will take decades to fully replace IR-remotes in daily use.
EvoLink will be able to replace remote controls in a reliable and affordable way. Currently available IR-products suited for use in home automation are either expensive (over € 150,-) or unreliable (using only blasters that are susceptible to interference). Therefore EvoLink developed the EvoLink IR-controller. It uses small IR-emitters that stick directly onto the IR-receiver of your device, so interference is not an issue. So for example when you press the command to turn off your receiver, hidden in a cabinet, you’ll know for sure it will be turned off. When using a single button to turn off all your devices on your way out this reliability is essential.
The EvoLink software will take care of the communication with your devices. It will provide a database of IR-commands combined with an intuitive user interface. The IR-controller also has a built-in IR-receiver, so you can learn/record your remote’s IR-commands. These will automatically be shared globally so no one else needs to repeat this. This way less common devices will quickly become available for everyone.
The IR-controller has an open API, so it can also be used with other home automation software. Other software can tell it to transmit and receive IR-commands at no extra cost. Only the IR-commands database is not included for free, but for a very small monthly fee. This is expected to be somewhere around € 1,- per home monthly. EvoLink is even considering building an app solely for IR-control that doesn’t need a local hub. This way EvoLink offers an accessible and reliable IR-control solution for everyone!
EvoLink will offer the IR-controller for € 45,- incl. taxes and incl. € 20,- prepaid EvoLink-credit. This way it will be € 45,- for people using the free EvoLink software excl. the IR-commands database. For general EvoLink users the IR-controller hardware will effectively cost € 25,-. This way EvoLink can offer hardware for the lowest possible one-time price and stimulate other users to give the EvoLink software a try.
Because the EvoLink IR-controller enables controlling your devices via infrared it also enables hiding your devices in cabinets, status display in control panels, easily setting your devices to your favorite predefined settings, universal control with a single Bluetooth remote and advanced automation. More on this in separate blog articles.
Extra detailed info:
- includes 2x triple IR-emitter to control up to 6 devices
- extra IR-emitters, splitters and extension cables will be sold separately
- IR-blaster for less accessible devices sold separately to stimulate use of the included more reliable IR-emitters
- 2x 3.5mm jack connector for IR-outputs that can be used independently and simultaneously
- IR-outputs emitting all common IR-frequencies 20-60kHz
- IR-receiver that’s able to “learn” not only common 38kHz signals, but all 20-60kHz frequencies
- fast 160MHz microprocessor, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 5 provided by ESP32 module (Arduino compatible)
- powered via USB, communication via Wi-Fi or USB
- slim design doesn’t block other nearby ports, like the closely spaced USB connectors on a Raspberry Pi
- firmware can be upgraded via USB
- certification for CE, FCC etc. (relatively easy, because of using pre-certified module)
- design & production outsourced to experienced developers in The Netherlands
- logistics outsourced to worldwide fulfillment companies for nearly worldwide availability
- availability short before EvoLink’s first software release
