How to Apply for a New Product Profile in HomeKit for a Standing Desk

Question

beico OP

Created 1w

Replies 2

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Participants 2

Hello fellow developers,

I’m developing a smart standing desk under my brand Beflo, which integrates technology with traditional furniture. As part of this, we’re working to make our Tenon smart desk compatible with the Apple HomeKit ecosystem.

While exploring HomeKit profiles, I noticed there isn’t a specific profile for standing desks. However, there are similar profiles, such as curtains, which also use motors for operation and could align with our product's functionality, like height adjustments.

I have a few questions:

What is the process for proposing or applying for a new product profile in HomeKit?
Is it feasible to adapt an existing profile (like curtains) in the interim while awaiting approval for a new profile?
Has anyone had experience navigating this process, and are there any best practices or resources you recommend?

I’d love to hear insights from anyone who has experience with HomeKit development or working on similar product integrations. Thank you for your time and guidance!

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Answer 1

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

1w

What is the process for proposing or applying for a new product profile in HomeKit?

Is it feasible to adapt an existing profile (like curtains) in the interim while awaiting approval for a new profile?

The details of this process are something your MFI representative will work with you to sort out, as there isn't really any fixed answer.

However, I do have on suggestion here:

Has anyone had experience navigating this process, and are there any best practices or resources you recommend?

HAS (HomeKit Accessory Simulator) is extremely helpful when you're trying to sort out how a new accessory type should function. The biggest issue with adapting existing profiles (or designing new ones) is how the "feel" inside Home.app and HAS lets you very quickly test and experiment with how an accessory will "feel" in real world usage with MINIMAL effort. More importantly, you can you also share the configuration files HAS creates, which makes it very easy to show exactly how you think you accessory should work (or not work). You can find HAS inside the "Additional Tools for Xcode..." download.

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Kevin Elliott
DTS Engineer, CoreOS/Hardware

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Answer 2

beico OP

1w

Thank you, Kevin, for the detailed and insightful response!

I’ll reach out to my MFi representative to discuss the process for proposing a new product profile. It’s helpful to know that they’ll be instrumental in navigating this.

Your recommendation to use the HomeKit Accessory Simulator (HAS) is particularly valuable. I’ll download the "Additional Tools for Xcode…" and start experimenting with how the standing desk might function using existing profiles like "curtains" or with a custom configuration. I can see how HAS will make it easier to test and refine the user experience while also providing configuration files to demonstrate the accessory's intended behavior.

I appreciate your guidance and may follow up if I run into specific challenges with HAS or the process. Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction!

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