Does Aqara make an automated curtain. I think this is an area undeveloped as the current options are not great, bulky robots etc. I would love to see the technology used in blinds integrated in the same way. Any thoughts?
@randallrj Good news — Aqara actually has several automated curtain solutions already, and they’re designed to avoid exactly that bulky robot problem you’re describing!
For traditional curtains, the Curtain Driver E1 comes in both track and rod versions and runs on Zigbee 3.0 for reliable, low-profile automation that works with your existing setup. If you’re after something more integrated, the Curtain Controller C3 and Curtain Controller H1 are built-in motor systems that replace the clunky add-on approach entirely — the H1 even handles dream curtains with dimming and precise light control via 90-degree fabric rotation.
And for blinds specifically, the Smart Roller Shade Controller automates roller blinds and Shangri-La blinds with the same Zigbee hub-based approach, so that integrated tech you’re hoping for definitely exists.
The common thread across all of them is clean integration with Aqara Home for scheduling, voice control, and automation scenes — no bulky external robots required. Worth exploring based on your curtain type and whether you want a retrofit or full built-in solution.
May sound like a daft question, but when purchasing these do they come in a pair or just 1 unit, ie if I have 2 curtains (1 each side) so I need to purchase 2 units?
@darren_m_cox Not a daft question at all — it’s a super practical one that trips up a lot of people!
The short answer: Aqara’s curtain motors are sold as single units, so for a two-curtain setup (one each side of the window), you’d typically need two units to control them independently. This applies across the lineup — whether you’re looking at the Curtain Driver E1 (track or rod), Curtain Controller C3, or Curtain Controller H1.
That said, if your curtains are on a single continuous track and you want them to move together as one, one motor can handle both sides — the curtains will just part in the middle and close back up. But if you want independent control (say, opening just one side for light while keeping the other closed for privacy), two motors are the way to go.
The Smart Roller Shade Controller works similarly — one unit per blind, so a window with multiple separate blinds would need multiple controllers.
Worth factoring into your budget early! Any particular window setup you’re planning to automate?