Nanoleaf has finally unveiled its latest smart switch technology after nearly a decade of development. The Sense Plus Smart Wireless “Anywhere” Switch is a battery-powered device that brings physical control to Nanoleaf’s smart lighting system, offering users the ability to control their lights with the press of a button. The switch also features built-in motion and light sensors that adjust lighting based on room conditions, offering a seamless and intuitive user experience.
To make the Sense Plus Smart Wireless Switch a reality, Nanoleaf had to pivot from its initial adoption of Thread and develop a new proprietary protocol called Litewave. This protocol allows the switch to communicate with all Nanoleaf lights, whether they use Thread, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, providing a seamless connection that ensures reliability and instant control.
According to Nanoleaf co-founder and CEO Gimmy Chu, the development of Litewave was essential to providing users with a robust and reliable local connection that enables instantaneous control as fast as flipping a light switch. Litewave eliminates the need for additional devices such as a Thread border router or Matter controller, making setup simpler and more user-friendly.
Challenges with Matter over Thread
Despite being early adopters of Thread, Nanoleaf faced challenges with its Matter over Thread implementation. The complexity of Matter and its multiple platforms made it difficult to ensure that the smart switch would work reliably with all Nanoleaf smart lights. This led to the development of Litewave, which provides a solution that is independent of external platforms and offers seamless connectivity and control.
Gimmy Chu explained that Litewave enables Nanoleaf to be part of the Matter over Thread mesh network while also supporting its own communication, resulting in instantaneous control of multiple Nanoleaf lights with no delay or “popcorn” effect. This level of reliability and performance is crucial for providing users with a seamless and intuitive smart lighting experience.
In addition to the Sense Plus Smart Wireless Switch, Nanoleaf is also releasing its first Matter over Wi-Fi light bulb, the Essentials Matter Wi-Fi A19 Smart Bulb. This move signifies Nanoleaf’s commitment to catering to a broader audience by leveraging Wi-Fi technology, which is more widely recognized and adopted in the mass market.
Nanoleaf’s strategic shift towards Litewave and Matter over Wi-Fi reflects a broader trend in the industry, with companies like Aqara also embracing multiple protocols to address the evolving needs of consumers. While Thread remains a promising technology, the current market landscape requires companies to adapt and innovate to provide users with a seamless and reliable smart home experience.
Nanoleaf’s development of the Sense Plus Smart Wireless Switch and the Litewave protocol represents a significant milestone in the evolution of smart lighting technology. By prioritizing reliability, performance, and user experience, Nanoleaf is poised to redefine the smart home landscape and set new standards for seamless and intuitive smart home control.
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