Nabu Casa has launched the Home Assistant Connect Aux-2, a $69 multi-function box designed to bridge various devices into a smart home setup, according to The Verge.
Roughly the size of a deck of cards, the Aux-2 is based on ESPHome and uses existing Home Assistant/ESPHome integrations for its features. The hardware includes 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet supporting PoE, USB-A, USB-C, a digital/analog audio jack, a Grove port for interfacing with peripherals like sensors, buttons, and LEDs, and a pair of RS-232 serial ports, according to The Verge.
Connecting the Aux-2 Device
Setting up the device involves plugging it into a computer via USB-C to download and install firmware and add Wi-Fi credentials directly from a browser. Users then move the hardware to a media console for power and complete the remaining configuration through the Home Assistant interface, where ESPHome discovers the device.
The Aux-2 functions as a Bluetooth proxy to bring devices like Govee Bluetooth hygrometers into Home Assistant. Its USB port accommodates a Nabu Casa Z-Wave or Zigbee antenna, while its audio jack allows users to connect an amplifier or powered speakers to stream music to older audio equipment using features powered by Music Assistant and SendSpin, which are in active development.
Controlling Serial Hardware
The device provides serial control capabilities, allowing users to connect and manage hardware such as TVs, AV receivers, and solar inverters via serial connector. Similar setups can be built using ESP32 boards or alternative products like the Apollo Automations Cast-1, and the Aux-2 offers a hardware option tied into the Open Home Foundation ecosystem.
