Pre-Orders are open here: Inovelli - Red Series 2-1 Switch (Z-Wave) - 800 Series Long Range
Project Team
Feel free to tag any of us with questions. Myself (Eric H) & Darwyn are the go-to’s for overall project management and timeline questions, Eric M is the go-to for any firmware related questions and I’m (Eric H) the go-to for anything else. Either way, we’re all here to help!
- Project Manager (Inovelli): @Eric_Inovelli
- Project Manager (Manufacturer): Rachel
- Innovation Lead: @Eric_Inovelli
- Technical Lead: @EricM_Inovelli
Introduction
As per our tradition of working with you amazing people, here’s what this thread allows us to do as a community.
- Allows us to keep everyone updated on the project status (either good or bad)
- Allows you to participate and help us develop amazing products together
- Enjoy each other’s company and have fun talking home automation
How this initial post will be laid out is in five sections:
- Project Overview
- Initial Hardware & Software Requirements (edited to remain up-to-date)
- Timeline (edited to remain up-to-date)
- Pinned Ideas & Shout-outs (edited to remain up-to-date)
- Weekly Recap
Housekeeping
- DATES & FUNCTIONS ARE NOT SET IN STONE: Just a reminder that all dates and functions are sometimes fluid. We have to make choices based on feasibility, opportunity costs, and overall timeline. I will be as transparent as possible on these decisions, but just a heads up, they may not always be exciting.
- NO IDEA IS A BAD IDEA: Ok, some are, but honestly throw out anything that you can think of. If we use your idea, we’ll credit you and send you a free device, so take that shot!
- VERSION 1 VS VERSION 2: Some ideas may be fantastic, but may not make the cut for the first version of the product. Once the product is locked in from a function standpoint, we’ll keep a tally of V2 ideas and then once the product is produced, we’ll move the ideas over to a suggestions/wishlist section.
Ok, let’s get this party started!
Project Overview
Our existing Red Series switches are coming back and they’re being revamped onto the new Z-Wave 800 Series platform. One of our largest B2B clients requested us to fast track a Z-Wave version of our Zigbee 2-1 Switch and put a large order in so we’re going to simultaneously open this up to the public.
Project Name - Phoenix
As many of you know, we had a heck of a time keeping Z-Wave in stock in 2021-2022 due to supply chain issues. Without going into too much detail (as it’s probably boring), we’ve managed to work on some partnerships behind the scenes which allowed us to now have more pull with Z-Wave manufacturers and the allocation issues are no longer a problem.
The Red Series is going to rise from the ashes of COVID and have better technology (800 Series) as well as a much better feature-set (equal to our Zigbee 2-1 Switch). Therefore, we’re calling this project, “Phoenix”.
Phoenix - Hardware Requirements
We will be using our current Zigbee 2-1 switch hardware but swapping out the Zigbee module for a Z-Wave one.
Hardware
Hardware - Dimmer Switch (Look / Feel)
- Responsive Paddle: rests in a neutral state (tap up = on // tap down = off & hold up = dim up // hold down = dim down)
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Config / Favorite Button: button should be used for configuration of the switch as well as scene control.
- Should be able to be held (for config)
- Should be able to be tapped (for scene control)
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RGB LED Bar: should measure the % of how much the switch is dimmed
- LED’s should be RGB (artificial white included)
- LED’s should also be able to be dimmed
- Colors: dimmer switch will be offered in white (matching Lutron Claro wallplates), but the paddle should be able to be replaced to change colors (almond, brown, red, black, grey, etc)
- Slim Design: depth of switch should be as slim as possible so that it can fit into metal boxes.
- Air Gap: UL requirement
- No heat-sink tabs: remove heat sink tabs for easier installation (note: may have to sacrifice max wattage)
Hardware - Features & Capabilities
- Z-Wave 800: use the latest Z-Wave chipset (800 Series)
- Z-Wave Long Range: support both normal and long range implementations
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3-Way / 4-Way Ready: should work in multiple different settings in a 3 & 4 Way setting
- Should work with an auxiliary switch
- Should work with an existing dumb switch
- Should work with another smart switch via Associations
- Power Monitoring: switch should measure the power consumption
- Z-Wave Distance Estimator: should be able to estimate the signal strength of the Z-Wave signal and notify via the LED bar
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Instant On: when tapped 1x (and scenes aren’t used), switch should turn the bulb on instantly (no delay)
- Configurable delay in 100ms increments (see tech doc)
- CFL & LED Compatibility: minimum buzz and flickering
- Neutral & Non-Neutral Compatibility: switch should be able to work with a neutral wire or without a neutral wire
- Auto-Detect Neutral/Non-Neutral: Switch should detect whether or not it’s connected to a neutral wire or not
Phoenix - Software Requirements
Below is what we came up with for the software requirements. A lot has been inspired from our Red Series Dimmer switch!
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Z-Wave Scene Control: 21 scenes
- 14 Scenes via Tapping the Paddle up or down and holding/releasing
- 7 Scenes via Tapping/Holding the Config Button
- Multiple Inclusion Methods: No encryption or S2, No Long Range or Long Range Enabled
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Aux switch compatibility: Should work with the Inovelli Aux Switch when scene control is triggered
- The Red Series switch should also be able to detect multi-taps from the aux switch
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Notifications via RGB Bars: RGBW Bars should be able to change colors based on events set up by customer (ie: if window sensor is opened, RGBW bar changes to red)
- User can choose to sync the bars or have them show separate notifications
- RGB Bars Config: bar should be able to change colors and also dimmed to the customers favorite level
- Auto Timer: switch should have a timer that shuts the switch off after a certain amount of time
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Easy Config: switch should be able to be configured via the config/favorites button.
- There should be infinite customization via parameters in the firmware, but also set customizations for HUB’s that do not allow parameter changes (ie: Wink)
- Internal Relay Disable: internal relay should be able to be disabled locally and via Z-Wave
- Set Min/Max Level: minimum dim level / maximum dim level
- Ramp Rate Configuration: ability to change how fast/slow light turns on
- Ramp rate & instant on/off separated
- Default Dim Level: ability to set the default dim level
- OTA Ready: ability to update firmware via OTA
- Associations switch should be able to be associated to other Z-Wave devices
- Smart Bulb Mode: mimic our existing smart bulb implementation
Timeline
Since this project is was kicked off for a B2B client, we are under their timeline to get it done. Our GOAL is by the end of the year. Traditionally, this is how the project gets kicked off if you’re curious:
- We present a PRD (Project Request Document) that has all of the above info in it (see above section for the pdf)
- R&D (manufacturer) analyzes the PRD and we go back and forth until we can align on 90% of the product
- Initial Timeline is released and remaining 10% of product features are added/cut along the way
Pre-Initial Timeline Milestones:
- Present PRD: Completed
- R&D Analyzation: Completed
- Initial Timeline Released: Completed
Timeline (Estimated)
The initial timeline will be shown below and will be updated bi-weekly (if needed).
- Final confirmation of the structure
- Estimated Completion Date: N/A (using Zigbee 2-1 structure)
- Status: COMPLETED
- Plastic structure tooling cycle
- Estimated Completion Date: N/A (using Zigbee 2-1 tooling)
- Status: COMPLETED
- Metal structure tooling cycle
- Estimated Completion Date: N/A (using Zigbee 2-1 tooling)
- Status: COMPLETED
- PCBA prototype production
- Estimated Completion Date: October 21, 2022
- Status: COMPLETED
- Prototype production and testing (3D printing structure)
- Estimated Completion Date: November 4, 2022
- Status: COMPLETED
- Switch and gateway compatibility test
- Estimated Completion Date:
December 9, 2022December 31, 2022February 28, 2023 - Status: COMPLETED
- Estimated Completion Date:
- Program development and testing
- Estimated Completion Date:
December 16, 2022December 31, 2022February 28, 2023 - Status: COMPLETED
- Estimated Completion Date:
- Product certification Z-Wave/FCC
- Estimated Completion Date:
December 23, 2022January 15, 2023February 15, 2023 - Status: COMPLETED
- Estimated Completion Date:
- Product certification UL
- Estimated Completion Date: January 31, 2022
- Status: COMPLETED
Beta Testing will begin likely in mid-November December.
Pinned Ideas & Shout-Outs
Here are the ideas from the community. We sincerely appreciate them, we love them, and we couldn’t create the products we do without them. So, thank you for your input and let’s continue to innovate together and change the home automation category for the better (NOTE: if an idea is crossed out, it’s not because it wasn’t valid, nor was it something we didn’t consider – we’ve discussed it internally or with the manufacturer and unfortunately it was not feasible).
Hardware
Software
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Capturing @CodeMaster’s idea around built in multi-taps that do not require hub communication as referenced here: Zigbee 2-1 Switch (On/Off & Dimmer) | Project New Horizon (Blue Series) - #1086 by CodeMaster
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This thread: Spike up the dimmer level when turning on at lower dim level - #12 by PhAzE
Bi-Weekly Recap
Every other Thursday morning, we have a meeting with our manufacturer to go over the various projects (status, issues, timeline, etc) and below I’ll provide a recap as well as edit the sections above so we can all keep track. If you have any specific questions you’d like me to ask, feel free to tag me and let me know so I can ask them as well. The bi-weekly cadence for updates will be Thursday mornings (or afternoons depending on when we have the meeting).
September 12, 2022: This project is officially kicked off with the manufacturer.
December 6, 2022: We received a first batch of beta units and so far they’ve been testing really well. We should be receiving the remaining beta units next week and we’ll be able to start fully testing, working out the bugs and providing guidance on enhancements.
January 12, 2023: We’ve been testing firmware and received our 4th version today. Likely 2-3 more versions to go, but they will simply be bug fixes as all features have been locked in since we submitted this to the Z-Wave Alliance for certifications. UL has finished, and FCC/IC is in progress so we’re making good progress. As of now, we’re still on track for production in March/April.
February 3, 2023: We received our last version (hopefully) of firmware the other day and are working through that one. It’s mostly bug cleanup at this point since we can’t add anything new due to the product being in Z-Wave Certification. Speaking of which, I submitted for the marketing review today which is the other part of the Z-Wave Certification (technical is where they review the actual product and marketing is just getting all the details correct for their database). As mentioned before UL is finished and we will be receiving FCC/IC reports next week, which I am not worried about since they should be similar to the Zigbee version that already passed. Production is still on track for March/April.
April 28, 2023: Production is wrapping up and we should be receiving the units sometime in late May or early June depending on customs clearance. I want to thank everyone for helping us bring this project to life! It feels great to be back in the world of Z-Wave 
June 6, 2023: The switches are enroute and should be here within the next week or two - then fingers crossed customs clears them quickly. I will continue to update both in the thread and here until they get here.
June 21, 2023: The switches are set to arrive at HQ in 8 days. Fingers crossed there are no more delays!
Been waiting on the red series and the five button, fan switch, and the aux switch!
(I actually never tested this with Blue, either, since I’ve mostly dealt with smart bulbs there, too, but Zigbee seems to handle this better in general than Z-Wave, which natively seems to really make 1s intervals the easiest to use…)
(Never tested this much with Blue since I’m almost all smart bulbs and “scenes” and this issue is thus handled elsewhere for me, but I do still have that one Red Dimmer with a directly-controlled load…)