Best Home Automation for Motorized Blinds

Looking for the best home automation systems for motorized blinds and other devices?

With the explosion of the IoT (Internet of Things) industry, there are many new home controllers available. In this article we are attempting to give you some insight to help you choose the best solution, especially if you want to control our shade and blind motors, skylight/window openers, smart film, drapery motors, etc.

The following list is not by any means complete, nor is it in any particular order, although we favor the RF-IR Blaster Hub from BroadLink^®.

It is a snap to implement, very affordable, and can control our radio motors individually, without any intermediate interface equipment. The Android and IOS apps that come wth it are also very good, please see the BroadLink introduction and instructions articles.

If you want to take it even further, take a look at how we use Alexa™ voice control with the Node-RED home automation system. Programmed in Javascript, it is an excellent system with an awesome visual design system that is part of the Raspbian default installation on the Raspberry Pi and supports literally hundreds of devices, including our blind motors and skylight/window openers via the BroadLink^® plug-in node. This is our current favourite!

For another great Raspberry Pi system, take a look at the Home Assistant home automation system. Written in Python 3, it is an excellent system that runs on any platform and supports literally hundreds of devices, including our blind motors and skylight/window openers via the BroadLink^® plug-in.

Our high quality RollerTrol™ DC tubular motors for motorized shades and blinds with state-of-the-art remote control systems are precision engineered, safe for children and adults, and easy to install (see our battery operated motors).

These motors are perfect for making custom remote control window blinds (with optional LED room lighting control), sun shades, skylight shades, solar shades, night shades, projector screens, awnings, actuators, banners, flags or any application where you need a rotating tube. Our RF-433 external stand-alone receivers will also control many other DC devices, such as fans, LED lighting, etc.

Please Note: Our blind motors, window openers and other devices are operated with wall mount and hand held controls, and our system is designed to allow automation to be added at any time. This means you can start with our simple remote controls and add the automation later, and take your time with it. Our remote controls will continue to function while you build your automation system and will also continue to function after the automation is activated.

System	Platform	RollerTrol™ Motor Connectivity Options	Open Source	Cloud Required	Cloud Optional	User Control
BroadLink RF-IR Blaster Hub (and sensors)	Android, IOS	WiFi, IR, RF 315/433 MHz (direct transmission)	partial (SDK)	no	yes	auto-install app (Android/IOS)
Node-RED Visual Design (with BroadLink support)	Linux (Raspberry Pi) Windows Mac	WiFi, IR, BLE RF 315/433 MHz (direct transmission using BroadLink RF-IR blaster) Z-Wave3	yes (free)	no	yes	Browser
Home Assistant (with BroadLink support)	Linux (Raspberry Pi) Windows Mac	WiFi, IR, BLE RF 315/433 MHz (direct transmission using BroadLink RF-IR blaster) Z-Wave3	yes (free)	no	yes	Browser or custom app
OpenNetHome	Linux (Raspberry Pi) Windows Mac	RF 433 MHz1 Dry Contact Relay3	yes (free)	no	yes	Browser or custom app
Domoticz	Linux (Raspberry Pi) Windows	RF 433 MHz2 Z-Wave3 Dry Contact Relay3	yes (payment by donation)	no	yes	Browser or custom app
OpenHAB	Linux (Raspberry Pi) Windows Mac	RF 433 MHz2 Z-Wave3 Dry Contact Relay3	yes (payment by donation)	no	yes	Browser or custom app
Vera	Proprietary	RF 433 MHz2 Z-Wave (native)3	partial	no	yes	Browser or app
Homeseer	Proprietary	RF 433 MHz2 Z-Wave3 Dry Contact Relay3	partial	no	yes	Browser or app
SmartThings	Proprietary	Z-Wave (native)3	partial	yes	no	Android or iOS smartphone app only

¹ use Jeelink Classic USB dongle w/ 433 MHz, RFM12B chip. (controls all our motors and stand-alone receivers)
² use RFXCOM USB transceiver (NOTE: controls older R series motors only)
³ requires additional Z-Wave^® USB dongle and/or group transmitter system

What our customers are saying:

♦ "Doing the blind myself with your motor ... cost me $240.00 ... I saved $600" - DH, Edmonton, Alberta

♦ "Thank you for an impeccable service! Wish everyone would work like you!" - JC, Miami, Florida

♦ "Great product, exceptionally quick delivery" - PV, New South Wales

♦ "Great seller, fast communication and shipping, highly recommend, thank you" - RS, Verdun, Quebec

more customer feedback ...

Tubular Motor Comparison Matrix: (*key specifications in yellow)

Part Number	Radio	Lift lb/kg	Drive OD in/mm	Typical Tube OD in/mm	Torque Nm	RPM	Volts	Idle Current (mA)	Max Load (mA)
Standard Series - With Internal Battery (25mm housing diameter)
TMKP-1-RB	Y	12/5.5	1.37/35	1.5/38	1.5	32	12	0.07	1500
Standard Series: (25mm housing diameter)
TMDP-12-25-15-32-R	Y	12/5.5	1.37/35	1.5/38	1.5	32	12	0.07	1500
TMDB-12-25-7-28-NR	N	12/5.5	1.37/35	1.5/38	1.5	28	12	0	1500
HEAVY DUTY MAXI Series: (35mm housing diameter)
TMDP-12-35-45-9-R	Y	45/20	2.4/60	2.5/64	10	9	12	0.07	4000
TMDG-12-35-45-9-NR	N	45/20	2.4/60	2.5/64	10	9	12	0	4000