+137 votes
by (6.4k points)
What’s one device you wish they’d make smart that isn’t already available?  
What’s one device you wish they’d make smart that isn’t already available?

75 Answers

0 votes
by (1.1k points)
 
Best answer
A smart driveway alarm. My driveway is not very long but long enough that I'd like to know when a vehicle or someone is approaching prior to them getting within range of my video doorbell on the front door.  
by (1.1k points)
@perdita Bull Thanks a million. I’ve been looking but never knew to look for a version with external outputs. Armed with your information, I went looking again and found this one on Amazon where one user notes that it has relays as well. I especially like the fact that it uses a laser beam so I can mount it right where my driveway meets the road and not have to worry unless something crossed the path. Looks like this one can be used as an virtual fence around your property too if you get enough sensors.  
by (1.1k points)
Grabbed this image from a user review. You can also adjust how long the relays stay latched up to 1 second to adjust the sensitivity of the outputs. It’s a bit on the expensive side but seems well worth it.  
by (2.1k points)
@perdita Bull though they stopped making the 2500. 4000 with dual relays is as close as you can get now. Has more range though.  
by (2.1k points)
I have mine linked into Blue Iris and Harmony to highlight the cams on the console and switch main video stream the triggered cams' console.  
https://automation.rmrr42.com/2019/....html
by (160 points)
@perdita Bull kegerator  
0 votes
by (3.8k points)
SmartThings compatible speaker switcher/control box.  
by (230 points)
@hinder Harmony hub does accomplish this. I bought their companion remote & i love it.  
by (3.8k points)
I have a harmony hub . not what I am talking about - I have two push button niles type speaker selectors - something like that but smartthing enabled . just a wish list .  
by (1.3k points)
@hinder would a switchbot work on that?  
by (3.8k points)
@nevins109 Geez - I wonder - I JUST saw about these - I might look into . thx for the idea! I only need ONE . it is to turn on and off ONE set of pool speakers outside (I have access to alexa voice there). I don't want the SIDE speakers on when the neighbors are out .  
by (1.3k points)
I think you should be good. What does your switcher look like?  
0 votes
by (200 points)
Zwave Noise sensor
by (440 points)
@backslide absolutely - even if it's just a decibel reading.  
by (200 points)
Mostly to track the child's screeming and turn off the tv show they are trying to watch
by (2.2k points)
@backslide My Netatmo weather station monitors dB
0 votes
by (1.1k points)
Garage door lock?  
by (200 points)
Plenty of those
by (1.1k points)
@gabbey I need just a lock not the whole door opener, do they have those?  
by (200 points)
@protoxide , hmmm not sure. I have smart openers, motion & sound detectors and garage camerad
0 votes
by (150 points)
My wife! THANK YOU!  
by (1.2k points)
Beat me to it LOL
0 votes
by (4.2k points)
AA batteries for all those battery operated decorations out there.  
0 votes
by (280 points)
Linear actuators.  
0 votes
by (150 points)
Coffee pot
0 votes
by (200 points)
A smart toaster that knows if there is only one slice of bread. So it only turns on two elements. Instead of three on one side vs one on the other causing one side to burn. Also if it had a camera that could check the colour of the toast and pop when it is ready.  
by (230 points)
@sayles63 ugh i with the Ninja Foodi Oven did this now. No connection to smart controls but it does do toast count.  
by (200 points)
@blen14 I don’t like toast enough to spend that much!  
by (230 points)
@sayles63. It's time for a new toaster in my kitchen. I've been wanting an air fry. Does both & has so many great options its worth it to me. Still haven't bought one, did lots of research on convection /toaster/air fryer combos & this keeps coming on top.  
by (200 points)
@blen14 I was at my in-laws over Christmas. They swore by their air fryer. Perhaps I’ll look in to it.  
0 votes
by (150 points)
Humidifier, evaporative cooler
0 votes
by (380 points)
Combo fan light control
by (140 points)
@triune innovelli makes that
by (550 points)
@triune they have different options for that.  
by (380 points)
@namhoi31841 thanks will check on it.  
by (1.6k points)
My fan only has a single wire running to it from the switch, so it's on or off. I want a smart canopy module like Lutron makes but with zigbee/zwave. I know there's other options with separate control modules but thats hacky. .  
https://www.smarthome.com/lutron-cm...o-fan
by (12.9k points)
Zooz ZEN30 works great Light on the top fan on/off on the bottom
by (1.6k points)
It's about time someone did it!  
by (480 points)
@triune Hampton Bay also as one. I have two at home and works no problem.  
0 votes
by (150 points)
My eldest child  
0 votes
by (2k points)
Smoke detector listener. It’s a device u can install next to hardwired house smoke detectors that “listens” for the 3 beeps pattern the detector makes when it goes into alarm. The listener could send an alert to the hub
by (110 points)
@lemma I have roost batteries fitted to my hardwired. Does what you want
by (110 points)
@belloa (dots, etc)does this!  
by (2k points)
@unclothe1851 wow, I asked my distributor about something like this and they said nothing is available yet. Thanks
by (12.9k points)
@lemma This has been out for years, time to find a new distributor :). As @quantum mentioned, Echos will do this now as well.  
by (110 points)
@benildas5222, let @belloa/activity" class="qa-user-link">belloa know “I’m leaving” and she puts herself on Guard mode. This listens for both smoke detectors and glass breaking. If it detects either it pushes a notification to your phone including which @belloa/activity" class="qa-user-link">belloa device the sound was detected on. You disarm her when you get home by saying “@belloa/activity" class="qa-user-link">belloa, I’m home. ”
by (110 points)
You can also arm and disarm from app.  
0 votes
by (150 points)
Single gang, dual light switch.  
by (1.6k points)
Single gang, dual light dimmer.  
by (12.9k points)
Single gang (1 dimmer + 1 on/off) exists and works great- Zooz ZEN30.  
by (150 points)
Huh. looks a bit odd as far as how to wire it up. but thanks!  
by (12.9k points)
@lothair The instructions/wire labels are some of the best I've seen in a smart switch. Very easy to wire up. Neutral, common "line", and then load for dimmer and load for relay.  
by (150 points)
@unclothe1851 Great to hear, I’ll order one up today. Any SmartThings integration headaches? Or is it as simple as learning each “paddle”?  
by (12.9k points)
@lothair Just download and install the device handler first. Then you just include the single device - it'll create its own "child device" for the relay. It's got tons of configuration options too. from ramp rate to the color of the little LEDs One of the default configuration options wasn't set right (it didn't allow "local control" (paddle was disabled)). so just be aware that if something isn't working perfectly, just look through the config options.  
0 votes
by (440 points)
Ph or TDS water probes
0 votes
by (5.8k points)
Garage door latch. I'd like to be able to unlock my bike garage door without having to go around to the inside.  
0 votes
by (150 points)
A smart loo. Save me taking a wizz at 1, and 3, and 5, and 7, and.  
0 votes
by (160 points)
Gate keypad locks
0 votes
by (150 points)
Smart shopping lists in the hub that makes suggestions based on your usage/trends. If every 2. 5 months I buy a 18-pack of toilet paper, I'd like a reminder around the 2 month mark especially if it's on sale  
by (110 points)
@cheatham Microsoft projects blahahaha
by (110 points)
I cant stop laughing
0 votes
by (490 points)
Larynx The Coil Partner Stupid People Children Common sense
0 votes
by (200 points)
My coffee maker
0 votes
by (500 points)
Remote controls for window AC's and heatpumps
by (480 points)
@emden You could do it through a Harmony Hub if the remote are IR.  
by (500 points)
@carabineer612 what is a Harmony hub ?  
by (130 points)
@emden buy a dumb ac with a knob and put it on a smart outlet. Works great and is cheap.  
by (500 points)
@dukie they are heatpumps and they all run on 220V. I would need the Aeotec heavy duty switches for that or a smartoutlet and a contactor
0 votes
by (150 points)
Instant pot compatible with Google assistant and smartthings and 3 in 1 vertical switches (very common in Mexico) with or without requiring a neutral
0 votes
by (1.1k points)
Smart pet collar with GPS. Where's spark and fluffy?  
by (200 points)
@dustindustman I think they need to be using low power wide area networks to avoid the requirement to have a SIM card.  
by (1.1k points)
I'm thinking backyard and house, before driving out. Collar to activate pet door/food dispenser.  
by (110 points)
Whistle is a little attachment for your dog's collar. You set the area around your home where your dog is allowed. If your dog goes beyond that area you get notifications and then you can track them in real time.  
0 votes
by (250 points)
Coffee maker.  
by (250 points)
@ignacioignacius Rushton thanks @ignacioignacius!  
by (380 points)
@ignacioignacius Rushton yes thanks @ignacioignacius. Just ordered one.  
0 votes
by (3.2k points)
A device with a camera that can OCR the reading of an electric/gas meter and report the results via ZigBee/z-wave. To help you keep a log of how much electric/gas you're using.  
by (110 points)
Apparently around here I'm able to use an SDR to read my electric meter. You might want to look into your area as well.  
by (3.2k points)
@ignacioignacius Rushton not sure what an sdr is, but I'd guess it's not something I could use in the UK. Our smart meters are ZigBee but can only be connected to by their own hand held monitoring device
by (140 points)
Our utility company has had smart meters for years. It’s not instant and it requires you to log into a website but I can still check it daily if I wanted to.  
0 votes
by (980 points)
A sliding patio door lock
by (110 points)
@porridge with open closed sensor
0 votes
by (150 points)
Battery voltage monitor ie a battery maintainer on a vehicle. Fish tank temp monitor
by (140 points)
I’ve heard about a BT 12v meter for vehicles. Wouldn’t maintain it but has monitoring capabilities.  
by (150 points)
@ohara BT ?  
0 votes
by (230 points)
My team lead at work  
0 votes
by (150 points)
Mainstream media newscasters
0 votes
by (4.3k points)
Sliding glass doors
by (4.3k points)
@jacobba Shoop more specifically the locks
0 votes
by (340 points)
Door opener/closer
0 votes
by (1.1k points)
Gate opener
by (1.7k points)
@kirstinkirstyn Pruden can’t you just use one of several garage door openers?  
0 votes
by (750 points)
People. Human kind
0 votes
by (650 points)
I have the Smart Oil Gauge for my 275 gallon oil tank. It has an app and connects over WiFi but it doesn’t link to Smartthings. It would be nice to trigger some lights or something at certain tank levels
0 votes
by (150 points)
Home cleaning. Laundry. Dish washing.  
by (150 points)
Ooh and they used to sell a refrigerating oven.  but the company went under. You could come home to a roast. A counter top version would be awesome.  
http://www.tmio.com/products/refrig...shtml
by (200 points)
I bought and Elekrolux oven, totally useless took me 2-3min to turn it on via the app. and Google assistant didn't work
by (150 points)
I just want to leave something safely and have supper ready when I get home. You can’t roast a chicken in a crockpot you wind up with chicken soup.  
0 votes
by (6.4k points)
Relatable and affordable room presence detection.  
by (1k points)
@raddi I’d take any really
+52 votes
by (590 points)
Smart blinds. I know they are already available but I wish there were more of them. The only ones I'm familiar with are the Ikea ones.  
0 votes
by (210 points)
Single gang switch outlet combo
by (150 points)
@cycloplegia I believe GE is releasing one very soon.  
0 votes
by (21.2k points)
Sliding door lock
0 votes
by (1.1k points)
Smell detector —- still haven’t automated something that can tell what something is by its smell and then, even better, something that could emulate smell when watching TV. The smell of cut grass and then the smell of the rain etc.  
by (180 points)
@sagerman59 An automated fart fan?  
0 votes
by (150 points)
My wife
0 votes
by (690 points)
Anyone know of a device like a stepper motor to open my vertical blinds. Just want something easy to install on the spindle. Just needs to turn, not actually collapse the blinds inwards or anything.  
0 votes
by (200 points)
Heated mattress cover.  
by (3.5k points)
@shepherd I use eight sleep mattress cover.  
0 votes
by (180 points)
A android z8 box
0 votes
by (1.2k points)
Sliding glass door lock
0 votes
by (1.1k points)
Motion detector zwave wall plug in. Tired of buying batteries.  
by (1.1k points)
@huebner Guess No, plug directly into wall, no wires, no batteries.  
by (2.1k points)
@wimple223 gotchya
by (1.6k points)
Would be pretty sweet. receptacle light switch option. nice idea.  
0 votes
by (990 points)
I see someone already beat me to "other people"
0 votes
by (470 points)
My wallet.  
0 votes
by (190 points)
Double switch for ceiling fan and light
0 votes
by (170 points)
My dog.  
0 votes
by (780 points)
My very first smart device, the thing that got me in, was an egg crate for the fridge. I used my app to see how full or empty it was. It was awesome, and as it was Wink, it worked sometimes.  
0 votes
by (190 points)
Sliding patio door lock
0 votes
by (1.5k points)
Battery powered lights, hvac register
0 votes
by (190 points)
The Smartthings app
0 votes
by (160 points)
A smart mortise lock.  
0 votes
by (930 points)
A dual load, single gang fan and light dimmer.  
0 votes
by (2.2k points)
Smart mailbox, with a solution (preferable with solar panel) that works over a long distance. My mailbox is 500ft from the house and i cant get anything to work.  
by (1.7k points)
@eucharist if you have power, you can do a wireless access, point to point. Basically 2 routers with line of site
by (200 points)
Google fi would reach that easily
by (200 points)
@eucharist and if it automatically incinerated junk mail so I never had to see it!  
by (2.1k points)
0 votes
by (490 points)
"OK Google flush the toilet"
by (1.7k points)
@cosine10 Toto toilet
0 votes
by (190 points)
Toilet seat warmer
by (1.7k points)
@gavrila3521 @igenia2n Toto toilet
0 votes
by (200 points)
Pool temperature sensor
by (200 points)
I need that too, one that can measure all the stuff
by (200 points)
Thats a good one
0 votes
by (200 points)
A none automatic garage door lock somehow.  
0 votes
by (190 points)
A ZigBee bulb with built-in motion detection.  
by (2.1k points)
0 votes
by (190 points)
Shower water temperature setting
0 votes
by (180 points)
Need more smart coffee makers that are reasonably priced.  
0 votes
by (250 points)
Temperature monitors made exclusively for refrigerators and freezers. They may be available but I have not seen them yet.  
by (180 points)
I use this for 4 years now, works perfectly in my frig 95% of the time and 5% I check the frig . . One day I'll buy more lol
by (250 points)
Thanks James. Hopefully they are still available somewhere.  
by (180 points)
Oh darn. it's actually going on 5 years in March since I purchased it.  
+11 votes
by (900 points)
Make cars have front and rear cameras record 24/7 and make it like a black box for traffic accidents.  
+41 votes
by (450 points)
My recliner lol
+60 votes
by (1.7k points)
My kids
+59 votes
by (1.1k points)
How about smart windows? Not blinds but the actual window themselves. I would want windows that can open up to let fresh air in and close automatically based on the needs of the user. Also should be able to integrate to the thermostats and work in conjunction with the heating and cooling of the house. Oh yeah and work with the weather too. If it's about to rain ST can you please close my windows.  
by (650 points)
@cut57958 it’s a good idea. it could close automatically with an external proximity sensor so that the house is secured. Or only when mode is set to home.  
by (650 points)
Or even have an external motion sensor to close it when someone tries to gain entry. They only need to make the device now  
+8 votes
by (360 points)
My next door neighbors kids.  
by (1.1k points)
LOL. Those little rascals
+10 votes
by (540 points)
Weight sensors.  
0 votes
by (260 points)
Pool equipment to zwave. Need variable speed pump controller and variable opening valves.  
+30 votes
by (370 points)
Sleep Number Bed. Not smart enough.  
+44 votes
by (390 points)
Shopping trolleys.  
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