Fans are a pain, and I live in Phoenix so have to deal with many of them. For me not so much speed control, but its the stupid remotes which manufacturers think I want, so they shove them down my throat.
I do one of two things. Use the fan as-is with the remote, but control the fan with a Simply Automated switch set to non-dimming. I use a motion detector in the room to turn on the switch when someone enters, and I turn it off after a set period. If I want the fan I have to use the remote, but my HA system can turn off the fan when nobody is in the room.
For my bedroom, where I needed full control, I ripped out the remote, and separated the light and fan. then I added a three speed switch, and capacitors like a manual fan has. The fans I have seen with remotes use the same motors as non-remote fans, but the remote replaces the speed control switch. It works great, and I can now control the light and fan separately, but I do have to manually change the fan speed with a pull-chain, and I don't think I added direction control.