Teken Posted March 22, 2016 Posted March 22, 2016 Moments ago I received a email notice that Smartlabs has been able to integrate their Insteon TSTAT's with the Amazon Echo via the HUB II. Details can be found here in the public release: http://us9.campaign-archive2.com/?u=0ba7a5e5d2578c15fdbf419c9&id=ad628bda36&e=a71fc244cc The little 2245-222 HUB II is turning out to be a champ for those looking for a point and shoot controller. Looking forward to see what they are able to integrate in the not too distant future. Bravo Smartlabs, well done . . .
MWareman Posted March 23, 2016 Posted March 23, 2016 So, Amazon added 'Turn up the heat' to the native vocab. Is there a chance that this might work across controllers.... as long as there is a thermostat - of did Smarthome get access to the v2 API?
Teken Posted March 23, 2016 Author Posted March 23, 2016 So, Amazon added 'Turn up the heat' to the native vocab. Is there a chance that this might work across controllers.... as long as there is a thermostat - of did Smarthome get access to the v2 API? Can't say, but these incremental updates and improvements to the voice control are making this system a lot more user friendly for those with restricted movement. I've been known to bag on the whole voice control method since inception. But, can affirm such a platform has been a complete God send for those with physical limitations. Having this ability allows those to actually enjoy the small things in life that many of us take for granted. Not sure people can relate to someone in a wheel chair who can't reach a switch, TSTAT, etc. But voice control via Mobilinc / Amazon Echo has really open the virtual doors for many. Hope to see more practical uses and two way communications and prompting from Echo / Dot in the future.
stusviews Posted March 23, 2016 Posted March 23, 2016 It's certainly easier to ask Alexa to control the thermostat that it is to ask Alexa to tell Izzy to do it. Here's some of what I found: (Hub refers to the Insteon link, ISY refers to the ISY skill) 1. Neither the Hub nor Izzy can turn the thermostat off, but the ISY can create an Off program. 2. The Hub can understand down, but not up. Both cooler and warmer work, too. (The increment is sometimes 1º, sometimes 2º.) Izzy does not understand any of those terms. 3. Neither the Hub cannot select between heating and cooling although Izzy asks if the selected setpoint is for heating or cooling (but doesn't change the mode). 4. Izzy always sets the correct setpoint, the Hub is often off by a degree (see 2, above).
Teken Posted March 23, 2016 Author Posted March 23, 2016 It's certainly easier to ask Alexa to control the thermostat that it is to ask Alexa to tell Izzy to do it. Here's some of what I found: (Hub refers to the Insteon link, ISY refers to the ISY skill) 1. Neither the Hub nor Izzy can turn the thermostat off, but the ISY can create an Off program. 2. The Hub can understand down, but not up. <- I don't understand this as the advert clearly shows Alexa *Turn Up* the heat. Can you please clarify or try alternate methods to invoke a up command. Both cooler and warmer work, too. (The increment is sometimes 1º, sometimes 2º.) Izzy does not understand any of those terms. <- Is this a limitation of the Echo or some kind of strange interaction with the Insteon TSTAT? 3. Neither the Hub cannot select between heating and cooling although Izzy asks if the selected setpoint is for heating or cooling (but doesn't change the mode). <- I find this strange for such a basic function, no? 4. Izzy always sets the correct setpoint, the Hub is often off by a degree (see 2, above). Stu, Awesome feed back as usual some clarification if you would please.
stusviews Posted March 23, 2016 Posted March 23, 2016 2. The Hub can understand down, but not up. <- I don't understand this as the advert clearly shows Alexa *Turn Up* the heat. Can you please clarify or try alternate methods to invoke a up command. The thermostat is now responding to up. Maybe I'm phrasing it differently, maybe Alexa learned, but the change is still 1º or 2º. Alexa reports a 1º change even if the change is 2º. Both cooler and warmer work, too. (The increment is sometimes 1º, sometimes 2º.) Izzy does not understand any of those terms. <- Is this a limitation of the Echo or some kind of strange interaction with the Insteon TSTAT? It can't be a limitation of the Echo or the thermostat if the Hub can do it, but Izzy can't. Benoit? 3. Neither the Hub cannot select between heating and cooling although Izzy asks if the selected setpoint is for heating or cooling (but doesn't change the mode). <- I find this strange for such a basic function, no? I fully agree. So I wrote two programs to accomplish the task. That also solved the problem of not being able to use the Hub or Izzy to turn the thermostat off. BTW, asking Alexa to turn up the heat won't work unless you name the thermostat "heat."
Teken Posted March 23, 2016 Author Posted March 23, 2016 The thermostat is now responding to up. Maybe I'm phrasing it differently, maybe Alexa learned, but the change is still 1º or 2º. Alexa reports a 1º change even if the change is 2º. It can't be a limitation of the Echo or the thermostat if the Hub can do it, but Izzy can't. Benoit? I fully agree. So I wrote two programs to accomplish the task. That also solved the problem of not being able to use the Hub or Izzy to turn the thermostat off. BTW, asking Alexa to turn up the heat won't work unless you name the thermostat "heat." <- Your kidding me?!?! Follow up in line question my friend . . .
stusviews Posted March 23, 2016 Posted March 23, 2016 BTW, asking Alexa to turn up the heat won't work unless you name the thermostat "heat." <- Your kidding me?!?! Alexa can't respond to a request unless you name the specific device (or scene or program) that you want to respond. Although heat and cool clearly refer to the thermostat, that won't work if you have more than one zone. So, with one zone, one could name the thermostat "heat" and turn up (or down) the heat would function correctly whether the thermostat is set for heating or cooling
Scottmichaelj Posted March 24, 2016 Posted March 24, 2016 FWIW I noticed this limitation in IFTTT with other TStats too. For example neither my Daikin (Ecobee) nor Honeywell via IFTTT can turn the system on/off or change between heat/cool. I can change the temperature though. Must be some type of global safety mechanism.
stusviews Posted March 24, 2016 Posted March 24, 2016 I can't imagine what a "global safety mechanism" would do. I can and do change the mode using programs, including off. LR HVAC CoolIf - No Conditions - (To add one, press 'Schedule' or 'Condition') Then Set 'BR / Devices / BR Thermostat Main' Mode Cool $iLR_Cool = 1 $iLR_Heat = 0 Else Set 'BR / Devices / BR Thermostat Main' Mode Off $iLR_Cool = 0 $iLR_Heat = 0 The variables are not needed. The spokens (which has become a noun) are cooling and heating (not shown). The commands are, "Alexa, turn the cooling/heating on/off." There are different Echos in each zone using different sub-accounts, so we don't need to specify which zone we're in.
Scottmichaelj Posted March 24, 2016 Posted March 24, 2016 Is this through an Insteon stat and do they allow this through their hub? As I think more about this doesnt it really make sense you cant change from cool/heat and visa versa? I mean you have to walk up to the stat or enter into the app to change the modes. So assume this is by design. Stus what your talking about sounds like a workaround using another device to do what you want. Not using workaround in the specific definition but by using a third party to do something that is not normally available on the stat.
stusviews Posted March 24, 2016 Posted March 24, 2016 Is this through an Insteon stat and do they allow this through their hub? As I think more about this doesnt it really make sense you cant change from cool/heat and visa versa? I mean you have to walk up to the stat or enter into the app to change the modes. So assume this is by design. Stus what your talking about sounds like a workaround using another device to do what you want. Not using workaround in the specific definition but by using a third party to do something that is not normally available on the stat. I'm using Insteon 2441TH wired thermostats. The Hub does allow changing the mode, but so does the ISY. But neither can use voice (Echo) to change the mode nor turn the thermostat off. Both options are normally available on the stat. So yes, it is a workaround.
Michel Kohanim Posted March 24, 2016 Posted March 24, 2016 Hi Stu, I bet the skill got broken with their latest updates. We have been waiting for V2 version of the Alexa API for 5 weeks now. All our emails go into a black hole. With kind regards, Michel
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