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Interface with Amazon Echo?


awzulich

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Posted

UDI has written an Alexa skill and submitted it to Amazon for approval.  No idea how long this process takes.  In addition, there is a community project that already has Echo working with the ISY but it requires another machine in the middle like a Raspberry Pi or full time PC.

 

 See this long thread for details:http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14525-amazon-echo-and-isy/

 

-Xathros

Posted

I hope we have this in time for the holiday lighting.  Would be pretty cool to say Alexa turn on the Xmas tree, Alexa turn on the fence lights etc. To me the Echo could help promote automated lighting and HA as a whole.  It has been something people are looking for as long as I can remember.

 

Since UDI submitted it weeks ago they are not to blame if it doesn't get approved in time.

Posted

Hello everyone,

 

Update:

Amazon actually tested ISY and came back with a few recommendations to make things more user friendly. We will be completing the recommendations by the end of the week and submitting again. Hopefully this will take less time.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

Posted

Excellent news!  Looking forward to seeing how this all works!

 

-Xathros

Posted

Hello everyone,

 

Update:

Amazon actually tested ISY and came back with a few recommendations to make things more user friendly. We will be completing the recommendations by the end of the week and submitting again. Hopefully this will take less time.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

Michel, hopefully changing the spoken name was one of the changes? http://forum.universal-devices.com/index.php?/topic/16949-Echo-and-Insteon-ISY-Devices?&do=findComment&comment=151719

The WAF with the Alexa is awesome, and I know mine would rather say Izzy than ISY :-)

Posted

YooDeeAye is a gender neutral name and one we all know.

Posted

Michel,

 

When your skill is complete will it require phrasing like    "Alexa, tell ISY to . . .    or "  Alexa, ask ISY the status of. . . ?

 

I know Amazon has committed to allow more than two wake up words in the future but no one knows when.

Posted

Hi barrygordon,We support both the lighting API as well as an additional Skill for things such as Alexa, tell ISY to lock all doors. So, it's both.With kind regards,Michel

Michael,

 

I'm currently using the MobiLinc Connect portal to connec to my ISY. That said, it looks like we would need to purchase the ISY portal to take advantage of the Amazon Echo functionality. Would that conflict with the MobiLinc Connect portal?

 

Also, will we be able to launch ISY programs as well?

 

Thanks so much for all that you good folks do!

Chuck

Posted

Michel

 

What do you mean "Mobilinc should work going against ISY portal"? Will there be a way to use both?

 

Joe

I believe Michel means that you can configure the Mobilinc mobile app to talk to your ISY via the UDI portal - giving you the benefits of remote access (just as the Mobilinc Portal) with added Alexa and whatever else UDI is planning....

 

However, I suspect you will lose any Mobilinc/IOS specific features, like push notification, geofencing etc - unless UDI implement this is their solution as well. But I think this would require UDI developing their own mobile app....

 

Choices are good!

Posted

I believe Michel means that you can configure the Mobilinc mobile app to talk to your ISY via the UDI portal - giving you the benefits of remote access (just as the Mobilinc Portal) with added Alexa and whatever else UDI is planning....

 

However, I suspect you will lose any Mobilinc/IOS specific features, like push notification, geofencing etc - unless UDI implement this is their solution as well. But I think this would require UDI developing their own mobile app....

 

Choices are good!

Just FYI...

 

I don't believe the geofencing requires Mobilinc Connect as I'm using it just fine without.

 

-Xathros

Posted (edited)

Just FYI...

 

I don't believe the geofencing requires Mobilinc Connect as I'm using it just fine without.

 

-Xathros

You're correct Xathros, the geofence should have nothing to do with MobiLinc Connect as I've also been using it for years via direct ip. That said, it's still a shame to think we can't use both portals as I like the push alerts via MobiLinc Connect. I'm going to reach out to Wes the creator of MobiLinc and see what's what... Edited by ahwman
Posted

Hi Chuck,Unfortunately ISY can only talk to one portal at a time and thus there will be a conflict. This said, MobiLinc should work going against ISY portal as well.Yes, you can run programs using Echo.With kind regards,Michel

Michel,

 

Let's say I have an ISY program called "TV on" which in turn sends a network request to my WIFI-IR device via my ISY and wanted Alexa to launch it. Would this require saying something like "Alexa, tell ISY to turn TV on"? If so, I'm thinking some commands could get lengthy. Is this because the Echo would be using the ISY skill for anything other than lighting commands?

 

Thanks for the clarification,

Chuck

Posted (edited)

Hi Chuck,

It would have to include program in the command.

With kind regards,

Michel

So the proper syntax would be "Alexa, tell ISY to turn on program TV on"? If so, that kind of takes the convenience out of voice control since the syntax is not natural. Versus simply saying, "Alexa, turn on the TV"... Edited by ahwman
Posted

Chuck,

I think you should take this up with Amazon. We are simply working within the constraints of their environment.

With kind regards,

Michel

I understand Michel. My comment was in no way directed towards you but more the reality of how this will work. I appreciate your help and clarification.

 

Chuck

Posted

Just FYI...

 

I don't believe the geofencing requires Mobilinc Connect as I'm using it just fine without.

 

-Xathros

Thanks for the correction! I use Android, so I have no use for the IOS only features.... :)
Posted

So the proper syntax would be "Alexa, tell ISY to turn on program TV on"? If so, that kind of takes the convenience out of voice control since the syntax is not natural. Versus simply saying, "Alexa, turn on the TV"...

Would this not be a solution for a virtual device, called 'TV'?

 

Have a program trigger on the state of the virtual device. Then you could say 'Alexa, turn on the TV' and have the program 'RunThen'. :)

 

(Not sure if virtual devices are in 5.x yet.... This would work with X10 devices as well I suspect)

Posted

Would this not be a solution for a virtual device, called 'TV'?

Have a program trigger on the state of the virtual device. Then you could say 'Alexa, turn on the TV' and have the program 'RunThen'. :)

(Not sure if virtual devices are in 5.x yet.... This would work with X10 devices as well I suspect)

I'm not familiar with ISY virtual devices. How are they set up as it sounds interesting..,

Posted

I'm not familiar with ISY virtual devices. How are they set up as it sounds interesting..,

Virtual devices are on the roadmap I believe, not implemented yet. Michel would be able to confirm (or say I'm incorrect!)

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