Home Assistant launches Aux-2 multi-tool to enhance smart home setups

Nabu Casa, the commercial arm of the Open Home Foundation behind Home Assistant, has introduced the Home Assistant Connect Aux-2, a compact multi-function device designed to simplify smart home integration, The Verge reported.

The Aux-2, priced at $69 and roughly the size of a deck of cards, includes multiple connectivity options such as 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB-A, USB-C, and a digital/analog audio jack, according to The Verge.

It also features a Grove port for peripherals like sensors and buttons, and RS-232 serial ports to control devices including TVs, AV receivers, and solar inverters. The device can bridge Bluetooth devices into Home Assistant setups and supports Z-Wave or Zigbee antennas via USB for improved connectivity.

The Aux-2 enables users to connect amplifiers or powered speakers through its audio jack, allowing streaming to older audio equipment. This functionality leverages Home Assistant’s open-source platform capabilities, The Verge noted.

Based on ESPHome, an open platform for DIY smart home devices, the Aux-2 aims to make smart home technology more accessible and user-friendly, as reflected in early hands-on testing.

Home Assistant’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience with such tools suggest continued development in smart home integration solutions.