You might get a little overwhelmed when looking at all the things inside the box, but it’s actually really simple to install. If you get the solar panel too, it’s even simpler as you do not need to charge the device with an USB-C cable. Take a closer look at the ‘parameter’ value – the number ‘1’ means that QuietDrift is enabled. If you don’t want to use QuietDrift, change this to ‘ff’. To be honest, if you don’t want to use QuietDrift then you are better off using Matter, but perhaps you have your reasons! Save your configuration and restart Home Assistant to make sure the REST command entity has been created. Now go and create a Script using the below YAML code. This script calls the REST command with the requested curtain position. It then loops around waiting for 30 seconds each time and updating the curtain position sensor. It does that a few times because it takes so long for the curtains to move using QuietDrift. alias: Curtains Set Position Quiet

To house the batteries and a motor powerful enough to move a set of curtains, SwitchBot Curtain is rather large (116 x 65 x 51mm). Its clip slides up and then you squeeze the top to ratchet the motor into place. It’s important that you only clip the SwitchBot Curtain into place to the point it feels secure; squeeze it too hard and it won’t move. Most smart curtains require to you replace the curtain rail with a new one, but the SwitchBot Curtain is different. Here, you get a robot that clips onto your existing curtain rail, moving side-to-side to open or close your curtains automatically.Ok so you really must get the solar panels that go with them. They are really easy to install – they’ve got a long arm that unfolds so as the panels can sit neatly within the window to get full sunlight. They clip in to the bottom of the SwitchBot Curtain really easily, and they’ve also got a light sensor in so they know if it’s day or night. To make use of that sensor in automations though you will need a hub, and your best option there is the SwitchBot Hub 2. End position magnets SwitchBot Hub 2 If you have grommet-style curtains, that is the type with holes punched into it like I have, then you need the special “plastic clips on a bead chain” that comes with it. The clips attach over the top of the curtain through the grommets, and if you set the bead spacing just right it keeps each grommet at the correct angle to prevent the curtain from jamming as it is pulled along. It’s really quite a clever bit of engineering.

The SwitchBot Curtain 3 is a next generation curtain controller which is advertised as being extremely low noise yet twice as powerful as it’s predecessor, the Curtain 2. It ships with an optional Solar Panel 3, which is supposed to provide “unlimited power” to the curtain bot, whose battery should last up to 8 months on a single charge otherwise. SwitchBot claims these will outlive the other components, noting that the rubber roller will need to be replaced after 10 years. This is such a long period to even think about, let alone worry about the curtain roller. Installation The two rod hooks can be detached from the main unit of the Curtain 3. This is because SwitchBot has three different models of hooks for the Curtain 3: Rod, U-Rail and I-Rail which can be changed if needed. They attach by pressing the side clip buttons with your finger and only go in one way, so you can’t mess them up. I have various types of blinds and curtains in my home, the most common being beaded chain roller curtains (controlled with Aqara E1). Now I’m thinking I should switch to drapes and use the SwitchBot Curtain 3 everywhere instead. It’s so quiet! Cleverly, Scenes can be restricted to only run between certain times, so you won’t have curtains open in the middle of the night.These modules are capable of creating a BLE mesh within the SwitchBot ecosystem and are found across their range of smart devices such as the Blind Tilt and Meter Plus. Before the SwitchBot Curtain 3 can be used, it needs to be added to the app and calibrated. The app guides you through the process step by step, everything is visually explained to you and instructions are easy to follow. Once the device is added, you can slide the curtain in the app to open/close. The SwitchBot Curtain 3 is currently not officially supported in the official integration. However, some awesome people in the community forums managed to create a working python library and add the Curtain 3 in Home Assistant. Please note, you need Bluetooth or Bluetooth Proxy enabled to use this: My wife and kids were perplexed by my excitement as I gathered them by the window to unveil a mysterious new gadget. With all eyes on the curtains, I tapped a command on my phone. The room was heavy with anticipation. After an agonizing 10-second delay, the left curtain jerked open in spurts. A few seconds later, the right curtain tried to join in but moved less than an inch and made a very unpleasant, high-pitched whine that lasted about 30 seconds. The DC motor and each of the gears are installed in a plastic enclosure which is one of the main reasons the Curtain 3 is so quiet, even in Normal mode. Beside a couple of screws, this piece is sealed shut with some kind of glue, significantly lowering the noise level the motor and gears produce.

The app isn't the most intuitive software I’ve ever used, but I eventually discovered a Silent option in the Motion Mode settings. “Silent” is an exaggeration, but it does run much quieter. It's a trade-off, because it runs much slower and opens the curtains only about halfway. Still, it does encourage me to get out of bed rather than doomscroll for half an hour. If you have tabbed curtains then there are adapters you’ll need to fit for those, and if you have an extendable pole then you’ll need to fit the included adapter to your pole too so as the robot can make it over the step. SwitchBot also offers Scenes, which let you control your curtains automatically. You can set a manual action – say, setting curtains to a default position, such as part-closed – or you can automate by using a schedule. If you don’t want to use SwitchBot’s kit, then there’s also an IFTTT channel, so you can achieve some of the same functionality using a different source, such as a smart thermostat. You don’t get quite the same level of control, plus you can’t restrict IFTTT rules to run between specific times unless you upgrade to a Pro account. Even then, it’s more fiddly to programme IFTTT Pro than it is to use SwitchBot’s app. Bluetooth connectivity is handled through the BM-8762CMF Bluetooth 5.0 BLE Module [ Datasheet] manufactured by CC&C Technologies in China, which is based on the Realtek RTL8762C [ Datasheet] Bluetooth low-energy SoC.

SwitchBot Curtain 3: QuietDrift in Home Assistant

The SwitchBot Curtain 3 is powered by a encoder motor operating at 3V, labelled PR-520SV. SwitchBot claims a life span of over 10 years on the motor, tested at standard room temperature and humidity conditions. It’s suppose to greatly exceed the lifespan of the rubber roller.

And finally we create a cover entity to bring all of those components together. The cover entity calls the script and passes in the requested position. Because the SwitchBot API is actually expecting a value which is inverse to that used by Home Assistant, we just do a bit of maths to calculate the correct position value. The cover entity gets the current position from the position sensor we created earlier, but filtering out any values above 95 as 100, and below 5 as 0. Restart everything just to make sure it’s all created and you’ll be good to go! You can use your new cover entity on your dashboard, and even share to HomeKit / Alexa so as you can control it that way. cover: It's also stronger than before, capable of passing up to 36 lbs of curtains, and has a larger battery to ensure a longer time between charging, though the new Solar Panel could mean never having to charge it. ZDNET's buying advice If you own the SwitchBot Matter Hub 2, you can also add the Curtain 3 in Home Assistant by exposing the device in the app. This adds more connections points and produces more issues than it solves, considering everything is in Beta right now. I suggest you use the method above or wait for official support, which will be coming in one of the next Home Assistant updates. SummaryThe cable of the panel goes through a plastic tube which swivels on three places for flexibility. This prevents the cable from damage while hanging from the curtain bot. You can skip the solar panel if you want too, the battery should last about 8 months on a single charge (open and close once a day) but I highly suggest you get it too because it’s relatively inexpensive. Another interesting feature that you can turn on/off in the app is the Touch & Go setting which is basically a manual switch. As soon as the Curtain 3 senses you’ve pulled the drapes for over 5cm, it will automatically open or close them depending on the current position. Home Assistant Integration Before I hooked the Curtain 3, I also attached the solar panel and let it hang down behind the curtain. This window is facing south without visual obstacles, so it will keep the Curtain bot charged at all times. Here’s how it looks like behind my semi-transparent drapes, you can barely notice the device: