The Home Assistant Connect Aux-2 is a $69, card-sized hub intended to bring older and otherwise disconnected devices into a Home Assistant smart home. It combines Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB ports, an audio jack, a sensor-accessory port, and serial connections. Using ESPHome and existing Home Assistant integrations, it can act as a Bluetooth bridge, host a Zigbee or Z-Wave antenna, control equipment over serial, and send music to powered speakers or an amplifier. Its appeal is not unique capabilities - DIY ESP32 boards and other products can do similar jobs - but a ready-made device designed to make them easier to use.
In testing, setup through a browser and Home Assistant’s guided interface proved straightforward. Bluetooth proxying connected Govee temperature sensors in a garage fridge reliably through walls and the appliance, reviving a useful alert system. The audio feature also worked after configuring Music Assistant and an amplifier, allowing music to play through previously unused in-wall speakers; the full setup took under half an hour. Grouping speakers through the still-developing Sendspin standard and making the Aux-2 an AirPlay or Spotify Connect target remained unresolved. Serial control, potentially useful for TVs, receivers, and solar inverters, was not tested. The broader case for the device is that accessible hardware can help people overcome the time and setup barriers that keep open, customizable smart-home tools unused.
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China’s battery-swapping stations let electric truck drivers replace depleted batteries in minutes instead of waiting to recharge, easing range and downtime concerns. CATL plans 2,000 stations across China by the end of 2027 and hopes to expand the technology to Europe. (theguardian.com)
The FAA grounded all departing flights nationwide until 11 p.m. after citing safety concerns and communications issues, while allowing planes already airborne to land. Officials said there was no evidence of a cyberattack; experts raised a possible connection to a new AI-supported air traffic system rollout. (thedailybeast.com)
![I Built a $300 Robot Hand With 18 Motors [video]](https://hntoday.pixelshot.io/screenshots/20261114/1c8751ab7cf044ab_tn.jpeg)
A maker built a robot hand with 18 motors for about $300. The provided page contains no details about how it works. (youtube.com)
A commenter says Elon Musk should hire Jensen Huang to run Terafab. They offer no further details about what the project would build. (news.ycombinator.com)
SpaceX launch debris halted all flights between Hawaii and the West Coast, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Interisland flights continued, and travelers were urged to check with their airlines for updates. (hawaiinewsnow.com)
The Denny’s where Nvidia was founded has removed a sign celebrating the company. The change comes as fallout surrounding Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang deepens. (nbcnews.com)
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