Brilliant - Next Gen Design & Communication Tool

Overview

Brilliant is a smart home technology company that manufactures an all-in-one smart home control system built directly into the walls of a home. The flagship product, the Brilliant Smart Home Control, replaces a standard light switch panel and serves as a central hub to unify and manage a wide array of smart devices through a single, intuitive touchscreen interface. The company's mission is to make interacting with smart home technology simple, accessible, and elegant for everyone in the household, from homeowners to renters and guests.

Key Features

All-in-One Control Panel: The device features a 5-inch full-color LCD touchscreen that allows users to control lighting, climate, music, smart locks, and more from one central location.
Built-in Smart Lighting: As it replaces a light switch, it provides built-in motion detection for automated lighting and touch-slider dimming capabilities directly on the panel.
Voice Control Integration: Brilliant comes with Amazon Alexa built-in for hands-free voice commands and also works seamlessly with Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit/Siri.
Video Intercom System: Each Brilliant control panel includes a built-in camera with a physical privacy shutter, enabling room-to-room video chat or front door communication when integrated with a smart doorbell.
Brilliant Mobile App: A companion app for iOS and Android provides full control of the smart home from anywhere, mirroring the functionality of the in-wall panel.
Customizable Scenes: Users can create and activate personalized "scenes" that adjust multiple smart devices with a single tap or voice command, such as a "Good Morning" scene that turns on lights, raises blinds, and starts a morning playlist.

Use Cases

Modern Homeowners: Brilliant is ideal for homeowners who want to consolidate control of their disparate smart devices into a single, streamlined system without the complexity and high cost of traditional custom-installed automation systems.
New Construction and Real Estate Development: Builders and developers incorporate Brilliant as a premium, built-in amenity to differentiate their properties, increase their value, and attract tech-savvy buyers.
Multi-Family Properties: The platform offers a specialized solution for apartment and condo buildings, providing property-wide management capabilities, tenant access control, and a modern living experience for residents.
Family-Friendly Smart Homes: The intuitive, wall-mounted interface makes it easy for children, guests, and less tech-savvy family members to interact with the smart home without needing a smartphone or specific voice commands.

Integration

Extensive Partner Ecosystem: Brilliant integrates directly with a vast range of leading smart home brands, eliminating the need to juggle multiple apps.
Key Integrations: Notable partners include Ring, Google Nest, Sonos, Ecobee, Honeywell, Philips Hue, LIFX, August Lock, Schlage, Somfy, Kwikset, and Yale.
Hub Functionality: It acts as a central hub, connecting to devices via Wi-Fi and communicating with various platforms to create a unified control experience.
Works with Major Voice Assistants: The system seamlessly integrates with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, allowing users to control their entire Brilliant-powered home using their preferred voice ecosystem.

Pricing

Hardware-Based Model: Pricing is based on a one-time purchase of the hardware, with no mandatory monthly subscription fees for its core smart home control features.
Multiple Configurations: The Brilliant Control panel is available in several models to fit standard electrical gang boxes, including one, two, three, and four-switch versions, with prices starting around $399 and increasing with the number of switches.
Smart Dimmer Switch: The company also offers a companion Brilliant Smart Dimmer Switch, which can be controlled by a main Brilliant panel to extend smart lighting throughout the home at a lower cost.

User Interface (UI/UX)

Intuitive Touchscreen: The UI is designed for simplicity and ease of use, featuring large, clear icons and swipe-based navigation that feels similar to a smartphone.
Clean and Elegant Design: The hardware is aesthetically designed to blend into modern home decor, replacing cluttered light switch banks with a sleek, high-tech panel.
Multiple Control Methods: Users can interact with their home via the wall panel, the mobile app, voice commands, or motion detection, providing exceptional flexibility.

Performance

Responsive and Reliable: The system is engineered for quick, responsive control of connected devices, whether adjusting lights from the panel or streaming music to Sonos speakers.
Simple Installation: Brilliant is designed to be installed by homeowners or electricians in place of a standard light switch panel in under 30 minutes, though it requires a neutral and ground wire, which may be a consideration for older homes.
Over-the-Air Updates: The device software is continuously improved with new features and integrations delivered automatically via over-the-air updates.

Security

Physical Privacy Shutter: The built-in camera includes a physical, blocking shutter to provide a clear, visual guarantee of privacy when the camera is not in use.
Access Control: Integration with smart locks and security systems like Ring and Alarm.com allows users to manage home security, view camera feeds, and speak with visitors from any Brilliant panel or the mobile app.
Secure Communications: All communications between the Brilliant devices, the mobile app, and the cloud are encrypted to protect user data and privacy.

Scalability

Modular System: Homeowners can start with a single Brilliant Control in a high-traffic area and easily expand the system by adding more controls or smart dimmers throughout the home over time.
Whole-Home Solution: The system is designed to scale from a single room to a complete, whole-home automation solution, with all panels working together as a unified intercom and control system.
Enterprise-Grade for Multifamily: The platform is proven to scale for large residential projects, with management software that allows building operators to oversee hundreds of units simultaneously.

Support

Comprehensive Online Resources: Brilliant provides a detailed online support center with installation guides, troubleshooting articles, and video tutorials.
Direct Customer Support: Customers can contact the support team directly via email or phone for assistance with technical issues or setup questions.
Professional Installer Network: For those who prefer professional installation, Brilliant maintains a network of certified installers across the country.

Competitors

High-End Automation Systems (e.g., Control4, Savant): Brilliant offers a similar unified control experience but is significantly more affordable and easier to install, positioning itself as a more accessible alternative to these professionally installed systems.
DIY Smart Hubs (e.g., Amazon Echo Show, Google Nest Hub): Unlike countertop hubs, Brilliant is permanently installed in the wall, offering a more integrated, decluttered, and premium experience that doesn't occupy counter space.
Apple HomeKit: While Brilliant works with HomeKit, it also serves as a physical controller for it, providing a dedicated touchscreen interface that the HomeKit ecosystem natively lacks.

Case Studies

Partnerships with Builders: Brilliant has established partnerships with numerous home builders and developers across North America, who feature the system as a standard offering in new homes to elevate the living experience and drive sales.
Multifamily Deployments: The company has successfully deployed its technology in large-scale apartment and condominium projects, providing a modern amenity that helps property owners attract and retain tenants.

Limitations

Installation Requirement: The system requires a neutral and ground wire for installation, which may not be available in some homes built before the 1980s, potentially requiring an electrician to run new wiring.
Cost Factor: While less expensive than custom systems like Control4, the per-unit cost is significantly higher than a standard smart speaker with a screen, making a whole-home deployment a considerable investment.
Limited Protocol Support: Brilliant primarily relies on Wi-Fi for connectivity and does not have built-in radios for other smart home protocols like Z-Wave or Zigbee, requiring a separate hub (like SmartThings) for those devices.

Future Outlook

Brilliant is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for integrated smart home experiences. Its future development will likely focus on expanding its already extensive list of integration partners, enhancing its software with more advanced AI-powered automation, and deepening its penetration into the new construction and multi-family residential markets. As the smart home moves from niche hobby to mainstream expectation, Brilliant's user-friendly, all-in-one approach provides a compelling vision for the future of home control.