Sevenhugs Smart Remote: The universal remote that adapts to your home

Televisions, smart lights, audio equipment, air conditioners, speakers, remote controls, more remote controls, batteries of different sizes, apps... something doesn't add up. In the era of smart devices, managing their functions is becoming increasingly complicated. Promises of a universal remote control that adapts to all devices have been numerous, but it's likely that the Sevenhugs Smart Remote will fulfill that goal.

The KlikR turned out to be a half-measure. After two years of waiting, the NEEO crowdfunding campaign became a nightmare. For some strange reason, finding the ideal universal remote is harder than developing a fusion reactor. Nobody wants to wrestle with huge lists and strange codes that often don't work. It's clear the market needs other solutions, whether through a new standard or simply a superior product. Fortunately, CES 2017 didn't turn its back on universal controls, and one that is promising heaven and earth is the Sevenhugs Smart Remote.

With a touch screen as its main interface, the Sevenhugs Smart Remote adapts its configuration according to the device you point at. A smart speaker or audio equipment will present playback, pause, volume, and next track controls. For lamps like Philips Hue, you'll see sliders that adjust light level and color. To achieve this, the Sevenhugs Smart Remote needs the help of three external sensors powered by one AAA battery each. The sensors (and by extension, the remote's positioning system) help establish the location of each device, even distinguishing them when they are very close. The sensors' battery lasts a year, and the remote itself charges via USB with a dock.

The concept of the Sevenhugs Smart Remote is very interesting, and its demo on the CES 2017 floor was solid, but like other projects, its creators are seeking crowdfunding funding. Its Indiegogo campaign received 2,215 percent of the original goal, 1.2 million dollars to be precise. We only hope they've learned from the mistakes their competitors made. The price? $229 for the universal remote and the three sensors, as long as you join the campaign's pre-sale. First deliveries, in August.

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