LAS VEGAS—No matter how feature-filled universal remotes get (like the impressive Editors' Choice Logitech Harmony Elite), you still need to choose what device they control at what time by pressing a button or tapping a screen.
Sevenhugs plans to change that with its Smart Remote. This little touch-screen wand can figure out what you want to control just by what you're pointing at, and we saw it in action here at CES.
The Smart Remote itself is a small white bar with rounded ends and a large touch screen in the center. On its own, it's simply an infrared and Wi-Fi remote that can control different home entertainment and smart home devices. But when combined with three, disc-shaped infrared beacons you place around the room, the remote really works its magic. By measuring where the beacons are in relation to the remote, it can determine where you're pointing the remote at any time, and switch active devices accordingly.
Point it at your TV to control your TV. Point it at a lamp to control a smart light. Point it at your thermostat to control the temperature. If two or more devices are located close together, you can manually switch between them by swiping left or right on the remote.
You can even use different apps and services through the Smart Remote, registering them as different locations in your home. Sevenhugs gives an example of pointing at your door to activate Uber so you can call a car to pick you up.
This automatic device switching isn't particularly useful for home theater systems, since your TV, Blu-ray player, media hub, game system, and other home entertainment devices likely sit next to each other. The growth of home automation and Internet of Things products really make the Smart Remote potentially shine. If your home is full of smart lights, power outlets, cameras, fans, and speakers, the ability to control each one just by pointing at it instead of going through individual apps is a huge boon.
The Sevenhugs Smart Remote is compatible with over 25,000 home entertainment and automation devices, and the location beacons can function in rooms up to 1,000 square feet. It's available for pre-order at $229, with the first units planned to ship this summer. After the pre-order period, the remote will have a retail price of $299, and should hit stores in the second half of 2017.
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