New 'Friends of Hue' Partner Lutron Debuts New Smart Bulb Aurora Dimmer

[MacRumors]

Lutron, a new "Friends of Hue" partner, today announced the launch of the Aurora Smart Bulb Dimmer, a Hue accessory that's designed to be placed over a traditional toggle light switch to prevent it from being turned off and accidentally disabling Hue smart bulbs.

The Aurora Smart Bulb Dimmer is a wireless battery-powered dimmer that's meant to be mounted right over a traditional light switch, keeping guests and children from using the switch while also introducing dimming controls for Hue bulbs.

You can tap the Aurora Dimmer to turn your Hue lights on and off or turn the knob to brighten or dim the lights.

"Lutron is pleased to join the Philips Hue 'Friends of Hue' program and offer this unique, wall-mounted smart lighting control that enriches the Hue experience," said Matt Swatsky, Vice President, Residential Mid-Market Business at Lutron. "Lutron prides itself on aligning with global, best-in-class companies like Signify to improve and evolve the lighting experience. Together, Lutron and Signify are addressing smart bulb user feedback with an attractive and practical solution that locks toggle switches in place to keep smart bulbs ready, while providing an additional point of control. The Aurora dimmer simplifies the use of Philips Hue smart bulbs and fixtures for everyone in the home."

According to Lutron, it takes just two minutes to install the Lutron Aurora Dimmer over a standard toggle light switch. The base of the dimmer locks the existing toggle switch in the up/on position to prevent it from being accidentally turned off, while the knob snaps right onto the mounting base.

Like the Hue system, the Lutron Aurora Smart Bulb Dimmer connects to the Hue base using Zigbee, so it can be used to control Hue lights even when the Wi-Fi is out.

The Lutron Aurora Smart Bulb Dimmer, priced at $40, can be pre-ordered from the Hue website starting today and it's set to start shipping out in June. It will also be available from Amazon, Apple, Best Buy and The Home Depot.

Article Link: New 'Friends of Hue' Partner Lutron Debuts New Smart Bulb Aurora Dimmer

 

[JakeFromStateFarm]

So given the design, it’s safe to say that this product is intended to be US only?

 

[robinp]

The idea is great, looking forward to a UK version, preferably with one that works with double and triple switches too.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Are toggle switches still a thing?

 

[DogHouseDub]

Slick design. Very compact and unobtrusive. I’m impressed.

 

[orbital~debris]

It’s a smart solution to a problem I’ve experienced.

Presumably this doesn’t work on U.K. light switches.

If so, it would be appreciated for MacRumors to make clear when their news articles only apply to a relatively small subset of people on Earth.

Also, does this even work on modern American light switches? USA TV programmes and movies often depict contemporary US homes with extra-large switches that I imagine to be user friendly and easier to switch using elbows, forearms when your hands are full (or even for those unable to apply enough pressure to a smaller switch).

 

[jessebkr87]

Since it connects to the Hue Hub does that mean it will show up in HomeKit like the other accessories?

 

[coolfactor]

So given the design, it’s safe to say that this product is intended to be US only?

I agree with your sentiment, but in that same vein of thought, let's not bundle Canada into the US, eh?

 

[sidewinder3000]

This is absolutely amazing design. I love it when a company finds a real pain point and then comes up with a clever, minimalist workaround. I currently have white electrical tape covering all my switches in the “up” position. These are a significant upgrade.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Also, does this even work on modern American light switches? USA TV programmes and movies often depict contemporary US homes with extra-large switches that I imagine to be user friendly and easier to switch using elbows, forearms when your hands are full (or even for those unable to apply enough pressure to a smaller switch).

Correct, this would not work on the larger size light switches. They still sell both sizes in all hardware stores around here, I am not sure which size/style is more popular.

Too bad, because my home has the larger size one and I do think most newer homes have the larger size ones.

 

[Lancetx]

A bit pricey, but these look great. Definitely could use them in a few spots in my home.

 

[vipergts2207]

What a stupid design. Lutron needs to bring back the Connected Bulb Remote they discontinued that works with Hue bulbs. This doesn't make any sense to me because it doesn't match any of Lutron's other products.

 

[Weaselboy]

Too bad, because my home has the larger size one and I do think most newer homes have the larger size ones.

All newer homes I have seen in the US have these "Decora" style switches now, so I while I think this new Aurora device is a very interesting design, I wonder if the market will be limited by the switch issue.

I converted all my switches to this new style a couple years ago.

 

[konqerror]

This is absolutely amazing design. I love it when a company finds a real pain point and then comes up with a clever, minimalist workaround. I currently have white electrical tape covering all my switches in the “up” position. These are a significant upgrade.

Blank plate = $0.50
Wire nut = $0.25

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Blank plate = $0.50
Wire nut = $0.25

Tape and a wire nut don't exactly let you adjust brightness.

 

[Ron21]

Lutron previously sold a much better solution -

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-LZL-4B-WH-L01-Connected-Bulb-Remote/dp/B014STZASK

For some reason, they stopped producing this but I have two and they work flawlessly with Philips Hue bulbs.

 

[vipergts2207]

Lutron previously sold a much better solution -

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-LZL-4B-WH-L01-Connected-Bulb-Remote/dp/B014STZASK

For some reason, they stopped producing this but I have two and they work flawlessly with Philips Hue bulbs.

Yeah I don’t get it. I have half a dozen or so of those at home and they actually fit in the Lutron wallplates and blend in with my Lutron Caseta switches as well. They discontinued that remote like a year ago, just to bring out this thing that doesn’t go with any of their other stuff and looks straight out of the 90’s?

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Lutron previously sold a much better solution -

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-LZL-4B-WH-L01-Connected-Bulb-Remote/dp/B014STZASK

For some reason, they stopped producing this but I have two and they work flawlessly with Philips Hue bulbs.

Probably because it was too similar to Philips' own 4-button:
https://smile.amazon.com/Philips-Dimmer-Switch-Installation-Free-Exclusively/dp/B076MGKTGS

 

[liberte1776]

Nobody is going to want yet ANOTHER device to change batteries on!

 

[BrentD]

All newer homes I have seen in the US have these "Decora" style switches now, so I while I think this new Aurora device is a very interesting design, I wonder if the market will be limited by the switch issue.

I converted all my switches to this new style a couple years ago.
View attachment 838058

As a photographer who deals a lot in real estate photos--particularly new homes--I can attest that "most" new homes certainly do not have the type of switches you pictured. Perhaps in higher end custom homes they might, but 90%+ of the new homes I photograph still have your plain old standard light switches. Heck, go to any hardware store and you'll find a whole lot more standard switches than you will the type you pictured.

Further, the "Decora" style light switch that you pictured was introduced in the early 70's by Leviton and is by no means new.

 

[Laird Knox]

Blank plate = $0.50
Wire nut = $0.25

I went for a third solution. In a three gang box I used a wire nut in place of one of the switches and then used another smart switch in the empty spot. Now I have switches that match and the one of them can be a controller for whatever I want. I have a two gang box next to the three gang that I will be doing the same thing to once I get ride of the Wink Relay that is currently there.

 

[Weaselboy]

As a photographer who deals a lot in real estate photos--particularly new homes--I can attest that "most" new homes certainly do not have the type of switches you pictured. Perhaps in higher end custom homes they might, but 90%+ of the new homes I photograph still have your plain old standard light switches. Heck, go to any hardware store and you'll find a whole lot more standard switches than you will the type you pictured.

Further, the "Decora" style light switch that you pictured was introduced in the early 70's by Leviton and is by no means new.

Hmm... maybe a regional thing then. I've been in around 25 new model homes in the last month in Southern California and Nevada and every one of them had the Decora style switches. These are what I would say are mid-range priced homes.

We had some can lighting added to our kitchen and the electrician mentioned he has quite the little booming business switching people out to the Decora style, so it does seem to be a thing, at least where I live.

Did not know that style had been around that long, so thanks for the info.

 

[BrentD]

Hmm... maybe a regional thing then. I've been in around 25 new model homes in the last month in Southern California and Nevada and every one of them had the Decora style switches. These are what I would say are mid-range priced homes.

We had some can lighting added to our kitchen and the electrician mentioned he has quite the little booming business switching people out to the Decora style, so it does seem to be a thing, at least where I live.

Did not know that style had been around that long, so thanks for the info.

Maybe it's a west coast thing. In the southeast we're mostly normal style switches. I knew the Decora switches had been around a long time because I remember my parents' bedroom having one when I was a kid in the mid-80's. Looked it up and the actual year was '73. Leviton still owns the rights to the style, so it's surprising to me they aren't more expensive than they are.

 

[bluespark]

All newer homes I have seen in the US have these "Decora" style switches now, so I while I think this new Aurora device is a very interesting design, I wonder if the market will be limited by the switch issue.

I converted all my switches to this new style a couple years ago.
View attachment 838058

There are gazillions of homes with toggle-style switches, including most homes more than (say) ten years old. A limited market can still be a very large market.
[doublepost=1558388070][/doublepost]

Lutron previously sold a much better solution -

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-LZL-4B-WH-L01-Connected-Bulb-Remote/dp/B014STZASK

For some reason, they stopped producing this but I have two and they work flawlessly with Philips Hue bulbs.

That's a different solution, not necessarily a better one. That one requires you to take your existing switch off the wall and wire it into an always-on configuration. That may work for some, but it won't be of use to most apartment dwellers, etc. This one, by contrast, allows you to solve the switch issue many people have with Hue lighting, but without any electrical modifications whatsoever.

 

[BHHOWARD]

I’m still waiting on a wired switch that looks like it belongs with my other decora and Lutron switches. I also strongly dislike the visual aspects of the Hue dimmer.