Good afternoon, I am not sure if this is the right forum or platform, but if I could suggest an important feature to be implement inside the Aqara Ecosystem, it would be virtual switches. Right now I am using Homebridge in HomeKit but I am in the process to move most of my automations to Aqara, which in general are more powerful, flexible and reliable. However, there is on feature I miss so far, and that is the option for virtual switches. Example: I can set them up as Boolean Funtion, like for example, in the morning at a specific time, my blinds open up in two stages. If however, I decide to stay in bed and sleep longer, I close by blinds again, and this triggers an automation that no the “Stay Dark Boolean” is set and the subsequent blind opening will not occur anymore, the bedroom stays dark. Of course, I can also toggle the Boolean before so the blinds will never open. In the evening this Boolean turns itself off automatically and the next day the blinds will follow the programmed automations.
If Aqara is listening, that would be one feature request I have for a powerful hub like for example the M3.
Virtual switches (or input booleans, counters, modes) are so useful, I use them a lot in SmartThings.
Aqara’s “Advanced Matter Bridging” actually creates virtual switches (on/off plugs) so there’s support for virtual devices already baked in, just missing the ability to create your own without being tied to other features.
You can use the enable/disable state of automations for this.
You have to make a useless empty automation first though. I use ‘every day turn on unused relay’ as the useless automation, and then use that automation enable state as a variable.
I have multiple copies of this fake automation for this purpose
I tried to replicate the Boolean functionality with scenes and in turn switching ON and OFF automations. It is doable to a degree but not as flexible and usually involves more steps. Your idea is not bad. Like programming a useless automation, for example at 0123 am turn off a light if it is off. Ha Ha. Ok, thanks for the idea.
Glad to hear it worked for you. You can add these fake variables to a dedicated group to keep them out of the way. It’s also good for debugging as you can see the state of the variables easily.
