SmaHoo Is a Discreet Device to Make Your Wall Outlets Smart

Many devices currently exist on the market to provide users with a means of turning wall outlets into smart switches. However, the majority of these devices can be bulky and plug directly into the outside of the wall outlet. As a result, the user is left with a solution that is not very discreet and can resemble a wall wart. A new project looking to launch soon on Crowd Supply is looking to offer users an alternative means of making outlets smart, but much more discreetly.

SmaHoo is an open source, smart relay module that is small enough to fit behind current household AC outlet covers. SmaHoo is an acronym for Smart Home Outlet and relies on an ESP32 device to provide Wi-Fi connectivity and switching control. Furthermore, instead of using a relay for switching in and out the AC power, a TRIAC switch is used. A TRIAC is a bidirectional, three port device that can allow current to flow in either direction. This makes them well suited for AC power applications. In addition, unlike a relay, the TRIAC switch does not make a loud clicking sound when it is switched on or off, making it well suited for smart home applications.

The module is intended to work for AC 110V and 240V applications and be hidden within a power outlet in a home. It features a label that clearly indicates the connections needed and their respective terminal locations. The device can be remotely accessed via platforms such as HTTP, MQTT, Google Home, and Home Assistant. It does not interfere with normal manual operation from a light switch either. Connecting the device to a platform such as Home Assistant is as easy as installing the device, connecting to Wi-Fi, entering MQTT broker details, and that is it.

Overall, the SmaHoo device enables users to integrate smart home features in their households through its discreet design. It is also an open source project and can be modified to an end user’s desires. More information can be found on the Crowd Supply page.