IFTTT only has a 15 min delay on some recipe triggers. Many are quick triggers and activate within a moment.

Hello MustangChris04,

 

The reason is because didn't divulge their local APIs. So - and as much as we don't like it - we are forced to use a portal.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

I'm using the Echo bridge with the emulator, and it is communicating locally to the ISY without requiring an internet connection, although the echo uses the internet to process the voice commands. The devices respond before the echo can even say "OK". 

 

Just curious, what is the "Echo bridge with the emulator" you are referring to?

 

Benoit.

Just curious, what is the "Echo bridge with the emulator" you are referring to?

 

Benoit.

Hi Benoit-

 

Grab a big cup of coffee and prepare for a long read:

 

http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14525-amazon-echo-and-isy/

 

I am currently using this on my test ISY and it works like a champ even running on and old RPi rev 1.  The mapper stuff has evolved well beyond what I'm currently using but the overall solution remains about the same as in the beginning of that thread.

 

-Xathros

Hi Benoit-

 

Grab a big cup of coffee and prepare for a long read:

 

http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14525-amazon-echo-and-isy/

 

I am currently using this on my test ISY and it works like a champ even running on and old RPi rev 1.  The mapper stuff has evolved well beyond what I'm currently using but the overall solution remains about the same as in the beginning of that thread.

 

-Xathros

 

Hi Xathros,

 

Thanks for the into. After some quick read, I found out this page which explains well the inner working I was looking for:

http://www.makermusings.com/2015/07/13/amazon-echo-and-home-automation/

 

Thanks,

 

Benoit.

Hello MustangChris04,

 

The reason is because didn't divulge their local APIs. So - and as much as we don't like it - we are forced to use a portal.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

Thanks Michael, completely understandable.

 

I assume companies such as the Philips Hue or Wemo had some type of partnership with Amazon in order to develop the tight integration that we see, allowing us to use an emulator locally?

Hi,

I have one question. Will it be possible to send a TTS to echo via a program. Sort of like the Simon says feature?

Thanks

Gary

Hi,

I have one question. Will it be possible to send a TTS to echo via a program. Sort of like the Simon says feature?

Thanks

Gary

 

I don't think it's possible. I'm not aware of any API allowing this. I have seen hacks where we can have Alexa say something based on an external trigger, but this require to have the Amazon echo remote, and it needs some hardware (like a PI) to generate spoken sentences through the remote. 

 

At this point, if you have hardware that speaks, you don't need the echo. You need an amp + speakers.

 

Benoit.

Thanks Benoit,

I have seen the remote hack but was hoping for something a little simpler. And I would have to hack an Echo to get an audio output for the page system. Right now I am using an old XP running event ghost but it's the old XP voice quality. I have the CastleOS hub and they say their new software version will have the capability of triggering an event from an http request. They have TTS in there event actions using Zira. So I think that is the direction I'll go.

Gary

Hi Xathros,

 

Thanks for the into. After some quick read, I found out this page which explains well the inner working I was looking for:

http://www.makermusings.com/2015/07/13/amazon-echo-and-home-automation/

 

Thanks,

 

Benoit.

Thanks for that link.  That was a good read.

 

-Xathros

I don't think it's possible. I'm not aware of any API allowing this. I have seen hacks where we can have Alexa say something based on an external trigger, but this require to have the Amazon echo remote, and it needs some hardware (like a PI) to generate spoken sentences through the remote. 

 

At this point, if you have hardware that speaks, you don't need the echo. You need an amp + speakers.

 

Benoit.

 

There is discussion on Amazon Echo Developers Forum that indicates push notifications are a consideration in the future.  At least anyway replies from Amazon aren't dissuading developers..

 

 

Jon...

Hello, 

 

Amazon returned to us again last week with certification results. They had 6 additional points that needed to be fixed/enhanced to pass the certification. They are now completed, and the skill has been submitted for a third round today.

 

Among the changes, we had to change the invocation name to "my home" instead of just "home"

 

Benoit.

So, 'Alexa, ask my home to water the lawn'.... I like it!

 

Hello, 

 

Amazon returned to us again last week with certification results. They had 6 additional points that needed to be fixed/enhanced to pass the certification. They are now completed, and the skill has been submitted for a third round today.

 

Among the changes, we had to change the invocation name to "my home" instead of just "home"

 

Benoit.

 

 

I really think UDI is missing out on a branding opportunity here.  My Home sounds unnatural to me.  Maybe Cortana can do the specialty requests...  "Aziz!  Light!"

I really think UDI is missing out on a branding opportunity here.  My Home sounds unnatural to me.  Maybe Cortana can do the specialty requests...  "Aziz!  Light!"

 

Like anything else I think this skill is going to evolve and change in time.  The importance may be in getting it off the table and onto the floor

 

 

Jon...

Like anything else I think this skill is going to evolve and change in time.  The importance may be in getting it off the table and onto the floor

 

 

Jon...

 Yep - agreed!   Suggestions are great, but this is try #3 to get this integration into the Echo skills list -- at this point I think the priority needs to remain on getting this through Amazon's process so we can start using it, and thus provide more pertinent feedback for a future release.

 

(I've been checking the Echo skills list daily for weeks now, waiting for Amazon to get this done...)

Hoping it's before the weekend. Won't have much time soon to work on setting this up and would like this for the holidays. Alexa tell house to turn on Xmas lights.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hello everyone,

 

Izzy cannot be used because:

It would breaks this rule:

• The name should contain only well-known English words or names.

 

Furthermore - and for those who call I.S.Y izzy - there will be some awkward commands:

Alexa, tell izzy to switch izzy (switch it to a different ISY at a different location)

Alexa, ask izzy what's my current izzy (which ISY am I currently connected to?)

 

For now, we have to get passed the certification with "my home". Once that's done, we can revisit and we are very much open to suggestions.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

Hello everyone,

 

Izzy cannot be used because:

It would breaks this rule:

• The name should contain only well-known English words or names.

 

 

Know several Isabelle's that would take issue with this...

 

Regardless of what we end up calling the ISY skill, the query and switch commands are still going to be odd.  "Alexa, ask My Home , Whats my current My Home?"  Just saying...

 

-Xathros

Hi Xathros,

 

It will be:

Alexa, ask My Home what's my current ISY.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

Hi Xathros,

 

It will be:

Alexa, ask My Home what's my current ISY.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

So then the issue with using Izzy would be the humans remembering to call the skill "Izzy" but the device "ISY"?  I think I understand.

 

-Xathros

Hopefully, it will be approved soon.... And the viral marketing from us early adopters can commence in earnest!

Michel,

 

What forum should we bookmark to get the latest information on Amazon Echo integration with ISY? Once this is up and running, I would like to know about it.

 

Best,

 

 

James

Hi James,

 

1. Twitter (UDIAutomates and UDISupport)

2. Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Universal-Devices-70185958615/)

3. Forum: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14525-amazon-echo-and-isy/?hl=echo

4. If you have signed up for official notifications, then via email : http://www.universal-devices.com/my-account/

 

With kind regards,

Michel

Thank you, Michel!