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SomfyDuino IO is not a native Somfy io-homecontrol transmitter. It is a 2017 Arduino project that connects to the button contacts of an already-paired Somfy remote. The Arduino simulates Up, Down, My, Prog, and Select presses; the original remote then performs the actual radio communication with the blind or shutter.
That makes it a useful local DIY bridge for a computer, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ESP8266/ESP32, or home-automation system—but not a bidirectional protocol implementation with position feedback.
What the project is
Bjoern Foldenauer (user beejayf) published SomfyDuino IO on May 20, 2017, describing it as a USB-to-Somfy-IO adapter. The motivation was to integrate roller shutters or blinds without relying on supplier cloud hardware. The original build uses an Arduino and a modified Somfy IO remote; the project page is on Hackster and Arduino Project Hub.
The signal path is:
Computer / Raspberry Pi / automation system
↓ USB serial
Arduino
↓ electrical button simulation
paired Somfy IO remote
↓ io-homecontrol radio
blind or shutterThe Arduino never decodes packets, generates 868 MHz radio, discovers devices, or handles Somfy encryption. Think of it as a USB-controlled remote, not an IO protocol adapter.
#1 Best Overall
- Controls 1 piece of equipment or motorised equipment group: shutter, blind, lighting equipped with a receiver or heating using io-homecontrol technology
- Enjoy a little more comfort by controlling your equipment from your sofa with a remote control
- Has 3 main functions: up/stop/down and the "My" favourite function which allows you to find your saved preferred position of the shutter or blind with one click
- Easy installation via the "PROG" button on the back so you can synchronise the remote control with your io motorised equipment
- Has a clean modern design to blend perfectly with your interior and ergonomic curves for an easy grip
Hardware required
- Arduino Nano R3, or another USB-equipped Arduino (the author says almost any Arduino should work, but this is not a compatibility guarantee).
- A Somfy IO remote already compatible with the target motor; the original build used a GX037.
- Seven-core flat cable for the original set of connections.
- Soldering iron, heat-shrink tubing, wire and strain relief.
The author observed approximately 20 mA while his remote was transmitting. Treat that as an observation for that remote, not a universal electrical specification. Remove the remote’s battery before powering it from the Arduino, and verify voltage, polarity and ground for your exact model.
Prepare the remote before soldering
- Pair the intact remote with the intended shutter, blind or group using Somfy’s normal procedure.
- Test every required function manually: Up, Down, My/stop, and channel selection if applicable.
- Record the model number and battery voltage, and photograph both PCB sides.
- Use a multimeter to identify the contacts that close when each button is pressed.
- Decide whether this remote will be dedicated to the project. Soldering and external power can make ordinary manual use inconvenient or damage the PCB.
Do not assume that a GX037 layout applies to a later or multi-channel remote. Newer boards may use different contact arrangements or surface-mount construction. The original Hackster page includes photographs and wiring information, but one schematic attachment is currently reported as missing, so verify connections on your own PCB rather than reconstructing an unverified diagram.
Original pin mapping
The published sketch uses the following Arduino pins:
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- CLEAN WHITE FINISH - The Pure finish is a shiny white remote that will complement any interior. Whether you're replacing a remote or looking for an extra to leave in a bathroom, bedroom or living area, the clean white finish will blend right in. Plus, this Situo comes with a mounting plate so you always have somewhere to put it. Our Somfy remote controls are a stylish solution for your smart home.
- OMNI-DIRECTIONAL WORKS FROM ANYWHERE IN THE ROOM - This Somfy hand held remote works from anywhere in the room - no need to point it at the shades. Somfy RTS technology makes it easy to be in control of the natural light in your home - from keeping out sun glare while you're working to letting in the light while you're waking up for the day.
- REPLACEMENT REMOTE CONTROL FOR SOMFY MOTORIZED BLINDS, CURTAINS, SHADES OR SUNSETTER AWNINGS - As long as your motor is made by Somfy and has our wirefree RTS technology, this remote will work! Whether you're replacing a lost remote, have purchased a home with Somfy shades or just need an extra remote control on hand, this RTS compatible controller is a great solution.
- CONTROLS 5 SHADES OR GROUPS OF SHADES - Somfy 5 channel remote can control 5 individual shades or groups of shades. LED indicators on the Somfy remote make it easy to choose which Somfy motor to control. The exclusive Somfy "MY" setting saves your favorite position so getting things just the way you want them is as easy as one touch of a button.
- EASY SET UP - Just a few quick steps will have your new remote up and running and you'll be able to enjoy the convenience of motorized shades once again. Your Somfy home should be convenient and custom and this Situo will get you there.
| Remote function | Arduino pin |
|---|---|
| PROG | D8 |
| SELECT | D9 |
| DOWN | D10 |
| MY / stop | D11 |
| UP | D12 |
| Indicator LED | D13 |
The firmware initializes button lines HIGH and pulls a selected line LOW for the requested hold time. Treat this table as a reference for the original sketch, not a universal wiring standard. Confirm the logic and contacts for your remote before connecting GPIO.
Serial command language
The sketch identifies itself as SomfyDuino 0.71 and communicates at 9600 baud. Characters accumulate a command; e executes it.
| Character | Action |
|---|---|
u |
Select Up |
d |
Select Down |
m |
Select My/stop |
p |
Select Prog |
s |
Select Select |
r |
Add one repeat cycle |
1–9 |
Add 100–900 ms to hold time |
e |
Execute the prepared command |
Digits are increments, not a literal numeric duration. Thus 999 means 900 + 900 + 900 = 2,700 ms, not 999 ms.
Rank #3
- ALL-WEATHER DURABILITY - The Somfy Telis 4 Patio remote control is designed with a weather-resistant material, making it perfect for use with outdoor motorized shades, blinds, and awnings in any climate.
- FIVE-CHANNEL FUNCTIONALITY - Manage up to five individual motorized window treatments or groups of shades and awnings with a single remote, providing versatile and convenient control for your patio or outdoor living space.
- EASY TO PROGRAM AND USE - The Telis 4 Patio remote control is simple to set up and user-friendly, allowing for seamless integration with your existing Somfy motorized window treatments and outdoor shading solutions.
- COMPATIBLE WITH SOMFY RTS TECHNOLOGY - The Somfy Telis 4 Patio remote control is designed to work with Somfy RTS motorized products, ensuring reliable and efficient control over your outdoor shades, blinds, and awnings.
- CUSTOMIZABLE "MY" SETTING - Personalize your outdoor shading experience with the "MY" button, which saves your favorite position for ideal sunlight and privacy control. Enjoy a tailored outdoor living experience with the Somfy Telis 4 Patio remote control.
u5e // Up for 500 ms
ud9993e // Up and Down selected, 3,600 ms
p999995e // Prog for 4,500 msOn execution, somSend() pulls selected lines LOW, lights the Arduino LED, waits for the hold time, releases the lines, waits again, and repeats. The loop runs from zero through the repeat counter, so no r still sends once; each r adds another cycle. It then clears the command and prints done..
Protect p. PROG is a pairing/programming control, not a normal daily automation command. Do not expose it to unrestricted scripts or a network API. Sending conflicting selections such as Up and Down together is also inappropriate for ordinary operation.
Testing and host integration
Start with the least risky commands:
u5e
d5e
m5eUse a terminal program, Raspberry Pi, shell script, or automation bridge that opens the correct serial device at 9600 baud. A robust wrapper should:
Rank #4
- ALL-WEATHER DURABILITY - The Somfy Telis 1 Patio remote control is crafted from weather-resistant material, perfect for controlling outdoor motorized shades, blinds, and awnings in any climate.
- SINGLE-CHANNEL FUNCTIONALITY - Manage one individual motorized window treatment or group of shades and awnings effortlessly with this convenient and easy-to-use remote for your patio or outdoor living space.
- SIMPLE TO PROGRAM AND OPERATE - The Telis 1 Patio remote control offers straightforward setup and a user-friendly design, allowing seamless integration with your existing Somfy motorized window treatments and outdoor shading solutions.
- FOR SOMFY RTS MOTORS ONLY – This remote is compatible only with Somfy RTS motors. It will not work with Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi motors. Look for the RTS logo on your existing motor before purchasing. Note: Some SunSetter and awning systems are not RTS-compatible.
- PERSONALIZED "MY" SETTING - Customize your outdoor shading experience with the "MY" button, which saves your preferred position for optimal sunlight and privacy control. Experience a tailored outdoor living environment with the Somfy Telis 1 Patio remote control.
- permit only an allow-list of safe commands;
- serialize operations so presses cannot overlap;
- set a timeout and wait for
done.; - log the command and response;
- keep PROG behind a deliberate maintenance action;
- treat a completed serial transaction as “press requested,” not proof that the motor moved.
The original firmware uses blocking delays, so it cannot process other work while a press is in progress. Remove diagnostic output if a machine-to-machine host requires a clean protocol, as the author recommends.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Channels, state and feedback
The original project used a one-channel remote. A multi-channel remote may be usable, but channel selection is model-specific. The author reported that SELECT did not change channels on his one-channel remote; that observation cannot be generalized. A later ESPHome/Home Assistant adaptation used a four-channel remote and documented a power-loss case in which the remote defaulted to all channels.
SomfyDuino receives no motor feedback. It cannot know position, limit state, obstruction, radio failure or whether a manual operation occurred. Any Home Assistant cover state must therefore be optimistic or time-based unless an independent sensor is added. Reconcile state after manual use, reboot, a timeout, suspected interference, obstruction or channel changes.
Best Value
- Situo 1 RTS is a single channel remote control:
- Control one motorized product, or one group of motorized products per channel
- Simple intuitive control with Up /My / Down buttons
- “my” function to memorize your favourite position of the application and find it instantly by pressing “my” button
- Range of control is up to 65 feet under optimal conditions
Safety and troubleshooting
The motor does not move
- Disconnect the Arduino and verify that the unmodified remote still works with its correct battery.
- Check battery removal, external voltage polarity and common ground.
- Recheck the exact button contacts and GPIO logic.
- Confirm 9600 baud, the correct serial device and a sufficiently long hold.
- Verify pairing, selected channel and motor limits.
The remote stops responding
Remove external power, restore the correct battery and inspect for solder bridges, damaged traces and incorrect voltage. Do not continue testing until the remote works normally by itself.
The wrong shutter moves
The remote may control a group or the wrong channel. Recheck its pairing and selection behavior. Do not rely on single-channel GX037 behavior for a multi-channel model.
PROG was triggered
Immediately isolate the PROG line from ordinary software. Follow the remote and motor manuals for any re-pairing procedure; do not improvise one from the sketch.
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Alternatives
| Approach | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| SomfyDuino or ESPHome remote hack | Low-cost local control when you already own a compatible remote | Remote-dependent, no verified position, soldering required |
| Somfy/Overkiz integration | Supported setup, discovery and broader ecosystem integration | Additional gateway/account and possible cloud dependence |
| Native ESP32 projects such as ESPSomfy | Advanced users wanting to remove the physical remote | Hardware, firmware and protocol compatibility vary by project and product |
| Raspberry Pi remote interface such as SomfyPi IO | Existing Raspberry Pi/Domoticz installations | Same remote and feedback limitations |
Do not confuse Somfy RTS with io-homecontrol. Somfy describes them as separate technologies; RTS-specific hardware, including integrations documented for 433 MHz devices, is not automatically compatible with IO equipment. Identify the motor protocol before buying an interface.
Verdict
SomfyDuino IO remains a clever proof-of-concept and a practical local hack: pair a real Somfy IO remote, wire its buttons to an Arduino, and control it over USB. It is a good fit for a single-room DIY installation when low cost and local control matter more than support and feedback. It is not a universal, supported, bidirectional Somfy IO controller. For many motors, verified position, safer fleet management or a clean installation, choose an official gateway or a carefully validated native-radio solution instead.
Quick Recap
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