A Milestone Made Possible by You
We're incredibly excited to announce that Apollo Automation is now an official commercial partner of the Open Home Foundation, joining Nabu Casa as only the second company to hold this distinction. This partnership represents a full-circle moment for us, and it wouldn't be possible without the amazing support of the Home Assistant and ESPHome communities.
https://newsletter.openhomefoundation.org/meet-our-new-partner-apollo-automation/
What Does This Partnership Mean?
As the Open Home Foundation's newest commercial partner, Apollo Automation will be taking on an exciting new role: building the first official ESPHome-branded hardware. We'll contribute a majority of profits from these new ESPHome products directly to the Open Home Foundation, supporting the continued development of the open-source smart home ecosystem we all love.
Don't worry – we're not going anywhere! We'll continue designing, engineering, and manufacturing all our Apollo-branded products right here in Versailles, Kentucky, while also helping the foundation create groundbreaking ESPHome hardware.
Why This Partnership Matters
Supporting the Ecosystem That Made Us Possible
When Trevor and I started Apollo Automation in September 2023, we had a simple goal: sell a couple hundred sensors and buy a boat (still don't have that boat, sadly). We built our entire business on ESPHome and Home Assistant, and these platforms gave us everything we needed to succeed.
Without ESPHome firmware and the Home Assistant platform, we'd just be two guys tinkering in a basement. The community's invaluable feedback helped us grow from Saturday assembly sessions in Trevor's basement to our own facility in Versailles with a six-person team.
Three Goals as a Commercial Partner
Our partnership with the Open Home Foundation focuses on three key objectives:
- Funding for Open Home Foundation project development – Supporting the continued innovation of open-source smart home technology
- Hardware that showcases ESPHome's potential – Demonstrating what's possible with open-source firmware
- Inspiring the maker community – Encouraging others to build on this platform, because a thriving ecosystem benefits everyone
The Journey to Partnership
First to Certify ESPHome Devices
Apollo Automation was the first company to bring ESPHome-based devices into the Works With Home Assistant certification program. We also joined the Made For ESPHome program, earning official recognition for our commitment to open-source smart home technology.
Our products include:
- AIR-1 Air Quality Monitor – Comprehensive environmental monitoring
- MSR-2 and MTR-1 Presence Sensors – mmWave radar-based occupancy detection
- TEMP-1 Temperature Sensor – Versatile monitoring with multiple probe options
- PLT-1 Plant Sensor – Smart plant care and monitoring
- BTN-1 Macro Deck – Customizable control interface
- M-1 LED Matrix – Programmable display for notifications and art
- PUMP-1 Fluid Pump – Automated liquid management
- H-2 Holiday Ornament – 100% of profits support charity
All of our devices feature 100% local control with no cloud dependencies or subscriptions, staying true to the principles of privacy, choice, and sustainability that the Open Home Foundation champions.
Community Support Made This Possible
Thank You for Believing in Local Control
This partnership exists because of you – the smart home enthusiasts, tinkerers, and Home Assistant users who supported us from day one. You chose privacy-first, locally-controlled devices over cloud-dependent alternatives. You provided feedback that shaped our products. You shared your projects and integrations on Discord, Reddit, and YouTube.
We owe everything to the Home Assistant and ESPHome communities.
Your support allowed us to grow from a basement operation to a Kentucky manufacturing facility creating high-tech jobs. Your enthusiasm for open-source smart home technology proved there's a market for devices that respect your privacy and give you complete control.
Supporting Charitable Causes Together
Our community's generosity extends beyond product purchases. Through our H-2 Holiday Ornament, where 100% of profits go to CASA of Lexington and the Open Home Foundation, we've raised close to $3,000 for these important causes. Every purchase supports children in foster care and the future of open-source smart home technology.
What's Next for Apollo and Open Home Foundation?
Building Official ESPHome Hardware
We're already hard at work developing the first official ESPHome-branded products. These devices will showcase the incredible capabilities of ESPHome firmware while maintaining the same commitment to quality, local control, and open-source principles that define Apollo Automation.
Continuing Apollo Innovation
While we develop ESPHome-branded hardware, we'll continue innovating with our Apollo product line. We're constantly working on new sensors, expanding protocol support (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, Zigbee), and listening to community feedback for the next generation of privacy-first smart home devices.
Growing the Open Source Ecosystem
By contributing profits to the Open Home Foundation, we're helping ensure that ESPHome, Home Assistant, and other open-source smart home projects remain free, private, and locally controlled forever. No one can buy these projects and start charging for them – they'll remain open source now and in the future.
Why Open Home Foundation Partnership Matters to You
Privacy-First Smart Home Technology
The Open Home Foundation exists to protect your right to a private, locally-controlled smart home. Recent news stories – from Chamberlain blocking garage door controllers to smart toilet cameras with misleading encryption claims – show why this matters.
With Apollo's partnership supporting the foundation, we're investing in:
- Open standards and protocols that prevent vendor lock-in
- Local control technology that works without internet connectivity
- Privacy-preserving firmware that keeps your data in YOUR home
- Sustainable hardware that doesn't become e-waste when companies abandon cloud services
Supporting Kentucky
Every Apollo device is designed, engineered, and assembled in Versailles, Kentucky. We're creating high-tech manufacturing jobs in Central Appalachia, keeping University of Kentucky graduates in-state, and proving that American IoT manufacturing is not only possible but can thrive.
When you buy Apollo products, you're supporting:
- Local Kentucky manufacturing jobs
- American-made IoT devices
- Central Kentucky economic development
- The open-source smart home movement
Join Us in Supporting Open Home
Shop Apollo Automation Products
Every Apollo device you purchase supports both local Kentucky manufacturing and the open-source smart home ecosystem. Browse our full line of Works With Home Assistant certified devices:
Popular products include:
- AIR-1 Air Quality Monitor – Compact air quality monitor
- MSR-2 Presence Sensor – Compact mmWave detection
- H-2 Holiday Ornament – 100% of profits to charity
Get Involved in the Community
The Home Assistant and ESPHome communities are welcoming, helpful, and passionate about open-source smart home technology:
- Discord: dsc.gg/apolloautomation
- YouTube: @ApolloAutomation
- GitHub: github.com/ApolloAutomation
- Wiki: wiki.apolloautomation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will Apollo products change with this partnership? A: No! We'll continue making all our Apollo-branded products exactly as we do now. The partnership adds a new line of official ESPHome-branded hardware alongside our existing products.
Q: How much profit goes to Open Home Foundation? A: A majority of profits from our new ESPHome-branded products will support the Open Home Foundation. Our H-2 Holiday Ornament contributes 100% of profits.
Q: What is the Open Home Foundation? A: The Open Home Foundation is the nonprofit organization behind Home Assistant, ESPHome, and over 250 open standards, drivers, and libraries. They ensure smart home technology remains private, local, and free from corporate control.
Q: Will prices change? A: No. We remain committed to offering high-quality, privacy-first smart home devices at fair prices.
Q: What makes Apollo different from other smart home manufacturers? A: Every Apollo device features 100% local control with no cloud dependencies or subscriptions. We design, engineer, and assemble everything in Kentucky, and we're the first company to bring ESPHome devices into the Works With Home Assistant certification program.
Q: How can I support this partnership? A: Purchase Apollo products, share your projects with the community, provide feedback on our Discord, and spread the word about privacy-first, locally-controlled smart home technology!
Thank You for Making This Possible
This partnership represents more than a business milestone – it's a testament to what's possible when a community rallies around shared values of privacy, choice, and sustainability. You chose local control over cloud dependency. You chose open source over proprietary lock-in. You chose to support a small Kentucky manufacturer building the future of smart home technology.
From everyone at Apollo Automation: thank you. We're honored to partner with the Open Home Foundation, and we can't wait to show you what we'll build together.
Apollo Automation is a Kentucky-based smart home sensor manufacturer specializing in privacy-first, locally-controlled IoT devices. All products are designed, engineered, and manufactured in Versailles, Kentucky, with full Home Assistant and ESPHome support. Learn more at apolloautomation.com.
Tags: Open Home Foundation, Apollo Automation, ESPHome, Home Assistant, Works With Home Assistant, Made For ESPHome, smart home partnership, privacy-first IoT, local control, Kentucky manufacturing, open source smart home
