Connected Light Switch

A connected light switch implementation using an ESP32-C6, Embedded Swift and the Matter protocol.

Project Overview

Frustrated by a light switch located inconveniently “far” from my bed, I decided to put my engineering skills toegether and build a custom solution rather than purchasing a commercial off-the-shelf product. Utilizing an ESP32-C6 microcontroller and Arduino relay shield I already had,I developed a fully functional connected light switch.

The core innovation of this project lies in the modern software stack: it is written in Embedded Swift and implements the Matter protocol, ensuring native, secure, and seamless integration into a broader smart home ecosystem.

Check out the GitHub Repository

Hardware & Architecture

The system is designed to act as a bridge between the existing electrical wiring and the networked control (e.g. Apple HomeKit).

  • Logic: An ESP32-C6 handles the network stack (Wi-Fi/Thread) and Matter cluster logic.
  • Actuation: An Arduino relay shield provides NO/NC interfaces that control the high current AC load.
The prototype setup: ESP32-C6 logic board interfaced with a multi-channel relay shield for AC load switching.

Software Implementation: Embedded Swift

Choosing Swift for an embedded project allows for high-level memory safety and modern syntax while maintaining the performance required for real-time hardware control. This project explores the Embedded Swift evolution, utilizing its “no-runtime” subset to fit within the constraints of the ESP32 MCU.

The build pipeline leverages the nighlty Swift toolchain (since Embedded Swift is now part of the main branch, one could potentially also use the lts) in conjunction with the esp-idf CLI flash the binary on the board.

The Matter Protocol

By implementing the Matter protocol, the switch bypasses the need for proprietary hubs and can be used directly into Apple HomeKit or Google Home.

Future Roadmap

The next evolution of this project involves:

  1. Custom PCB Design: Transitioning from the breadboard prototype to a compact PCB that could fit inside a standard European wall box.
  2. Energy Monitoring: Integrating a current sensor to report real-time energy consumption back to the Matter controller.
  3. Low-Power Optimization: Refining the Deep Sleep cycles of the ESP32-C6 to improve efficiency when the light is off.