Mobile app for easy control of smart curtains
Hunter Douglas is a global market leader in exclusive window covering solutions and architectural products. The company was founded in 1946 and today operates in more than 100 countries with over 2,000 employees. Hunter Douglas is known for its innovation in child safety and energy efficiency, and has expanded its range with various technological solutions for smart homes. The latest initiative in the lineup is the smart home brand Bliss.
We developed a user-friendly mobile app for Hunter Douglas' new Bliss smart shades, enabling quick setup via QR code, offline control with Bluetooth, and automation with voice control. The solution enhanced the entire customer experience, differentiated the product in the market, and was launched in just four months. It marked an important step in Hunter Douglas' commitment to smart home technology.
The situation
The market for smart curtains is growing, but many solutions fail in terms of usability and stability. Some of the major challenges are setup, pairing, and poorly designed apps, which have hindered the spread. Hunter Douglas therefore wanted to offer its customers a simpler and more cohesive experience, and therefore hired us to develop a complete digital solution from concept to launch.
Solution
In close collaboration with Hunter Douglas engineering and product teams, we designed and developed the Bliss Smart Blinds app with a sharp focus on usability and stability. We chose a Bluetooth-based approach that removes the need for internet access when the user sets up the app. Each product was delivered with a QR code that enabled quick and error-free pairing. The app's users can easily name, group, and automate the blinds directly from the app.
The app was developed in an agile setup with weekly status meetings and was launched as a "minimum viable product" in just four months. Features such as voice control via Siri and Google Assistant, automation based on time and day of the week, as well as support for multiple devices were integrated subsequently. A white label version for retailers was also developed, accompanied by a CMS for managing users and devices.
Tech stack
Languages:
· Java
· Kotlin
· Swift
· Vapor
Technologies:
· Bluetooth
· Siri Voice
· Google Voice
Result
The Bliss app has strengthened Hunter Douglas' position in the smart home market by solving some key problems that users have previously experienced. With QR-based setup, offline functionality, and a well-designed app, customers now have access to automated comfort via their smartphone.
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