Geofence (Android) opinions and ideas wanted...

[EWhite]

I am using the Ping NS to do basic location services.

Problem I have is, it sometimes just quits reporting to ISY, which results in lights not turning on or off depending.

My solution was this:

created a "switch" using Virtual NS. Allow Amazon Alexa to have access to that button.

Went to Alexa app and created a routine using location to turn said switch off and on.

seems to work so far, any unforeseen problems with this? great idea? is gonna fail?

Thanks!

[Geddy]

@EWhite a bit confused by your post. What is it you're trying to accomplish? What do you mean by "basic location services"?

Yeah, what you describe will fail because ping is probably unreliable for what you might be attempting to use it for.

Need more information to be able to help give options for what you're trying to monitor/do.

 

[EWhite]

i am just trying to get opinions on using Alexa for location (geo_gencing) as compared to ping or other options i may not have thought of.

Basically, all i am wanting is some lights to turn on when i come home and turn of if i forget when i leave.

I have learned that ping is unreliable, all of my family are using android phones(knocks out occupancy services via portal).

so what are the options i have?  whats drawback to using Alexa on my phone for location?

and thanks!

[Geddy]

56 minutes ago, EWhite said:

all of my family are using android phones

Sorry...can't help specifically for Android devices. Perhaps others can. 

I know for the iOS world the Alexa app has some included geofence options to trigger lights when users arrive/depart depending on how the routine is setup. But I know others say that Android has been known to kill the background running apps so I'm not sure if that's a viable option.

I think there has been some talk about tasker running something that's triggering as you enter/exit the geofence. 

Actually, I remembered a post earlier this year and found that @Jimbo.Automates posted this note about using wifi to trigger tasker. Not sure if this still works, but perhaps reading the comments in that thread would help.

I know @Javi has commented that geofencing is in the plans for UD Mobile, but think it's still a ways off from being implemented. 

Hope that helps. 

[tazman]

4 hours ago, EWhite said:

i am just trying to get opinions on using Alexa for location (geo_gencing) as compared to ping or other options i may not have thought of.

Basically, all i am wanting is some lights to turn on when i come home and turn of if i forget when i leave.

I have learned that ping is unreliable, all of my family are using android phones(knocks out occupancy services via portal).

so what are the options i have?  whats drawback to using Alexa on my phone for location?

and thanks!

On android devices you can use MacroDroid to trigger the portal.

[EWhite]

are there instructions for this MacroDroid?

 

Edited December 20, 2022 by EWhite

[Athlon]

6 hours ago, EWhite said:

i am just trying to get opinions on using Alexa for location (geo_gencing) as compared to ping or other options i may not have thought of.

Basically, all i am wanting is some lights to turn on when i come home and turn of if i forget when i leave.

I have learned that ping is unreliable, all of my family are using android phones(knocks out occupancy services via portal).

so what are the options i have?  whats drawback to using Alexa on my phone for location?

and thanks!

I use Alexa for my Geofencing needs - works great. (The Alexa app on my Pixel.)

Among other things, my outside lights turn on if after sunset when either of us arrive home. I have the lights I want to come on in a scene. Alexa triggers the program in my IoP.

[tazman]

2 hours ago, EWhite said:

are there instructions for this MacroDroid?

 

I don't know of any specific instructions unfortunately. I found the directions I think I used to setup the portal https://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY_Portal_Node_Server_Occupancy_%26_Locative_app_Instructions

On MacroDroid you setup a geofence area for your home then you create a macro for entering the geofence are and send the HTTP GET command that you get from the portal to trigger for entering then you do the same for exiting.

[EWhite]

@Athlon im using alexa on a pixel now...how reliable has it been for you?

I also got macrodroid set up...seems ok..alexa path seems more responsive.

Its not system critical, i have 2 sons and just like notifications when they come home from school and turn a couple light on ..etc

i think the macrodroid would be best for them as they do not have access to my alexa account.

thanks for all the help guys!

 

 

[Athlon]

9 hours ago, EWhite said:

@Athlon im using alexa on a pixel now...how reliable has it been for you?

Very reliable.

[DennisC]

16 hours ago, EWhite said:

are there instructions for this MacroDroid?

 

You can also use Tasker on an Android phone and there are directions for doing it in the Wiki.

I have been using it for many years and it has been rock solid. You can also setup a task to detect wifi connection and disconnect as a back up or for other purposes.