About Us
Our Mission
HexaOne was founded on a simple mission: to bring PoE-powered devices with straightforward, physical controls into the smart home — bridging the gap between open-source platforms and professional-grade hardware.
When I get into my car, I want to turn the music up with a knob and turn the AC on with a button. Going through 30 touchscreen menus for what should be a one-second job seems a bit silly to me.” – Timothy Steinert
Not everything in the home needs a screen, and not everything needs to be wireless. For a device you interact with multiple times a day — like an alarm keypad — buttons and hardwiring just make sense to us.
Who Are We?
HexaOne is an Australian startup with one clear mission: to bring reliable, cabled devices back into the smart home ecosystem.
The name HexaOne is formed from “hexadecimal”—the foundation of digital systems—and “one,” representing both our position as the first to bring professional-grade, PoE-powered devices into the open-source smart home space, and our focus on simplicity and unity.
The idea for HexaOne was born out of a real problem. In the open-source smart home space, alarm keypads were virtually nonexistent. The few options that did exist were often overpriced Zigbee devices, while many people defaulted to tablets as makeshift keypads. For us, that wasn’t good enough.
In today’s smart home market, most solutions lean heavily on wireless connectivity. While convenient, wireless systems can compromise reliability and security—and the limited cabled alternatives are almost always tied to closed, proprietary ecosystems that restrict user choice.
At HexaOne, we believe in a different path. We are a hardware company, not a software one. We’re not building a closed ecosystem to lock you in—we’re building open, accessible devices that leverage Home Assistant as their backbone. That means you stay in control, with the flexibility to grow your smart home the way you want.
Our first major product line, the PoE Series, is under active development. PoE (Power over Ethernet) allows a single cable to deliver both power and data, enabling faster installations, cleaner setups, and long-term reliability. This foundation shapes everything we build—practical hardware designed to solve real problems without unnecessary complexity.
Meet the Founder
Timothy Steinert
Founder, HexaOne
Tim brings both technical expertise and hands-on experience to HexaOne. He spent more than five years at a Managed Service Provider (MSP), where he specialised in designing and deploying networks, servers, and phone systems, with a particular interest in SIP technologies. Far from being tucked away in a back room, Tim has always valued customer-facing work—taking the time to understand client needs and translating them into effective technical solutions.
Building on that foundation, Tim is now pursuing a Bachelor of Technology in Motorsport followed by a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering—shifting his career focus toward his passion for engineering. These studies deepen his understanding of systems, performance, and design, while aligning with his drive to build innovative hardware at HexaOne.
Outside of HexaOne, Tim always has projects to keep him busy:
BMW Restoration & Modification – Together with his father, Tim rebuilds crash-damaged BMWs from salvage auctions. His pride and joy is a fully rebuilt 2017 BMW M2, modified to produce over 500HP.
Engineering Systems – From 3D design and metal fabrication to electronics and coding, Tim develops integrated systems that bring hardware and software together. His projects range from automotive communication devices to custom-built turbo kits and other one-off engineered solutions.
Everyday Life – Outside the workshop, Tim enjoys spending time with his partner, friends, and family. Still, his curiosity and love for problem-solving often draw him back to tinkering and building.