Echo->IFTTT->SmartThings->zWave deadbolt

[IVB]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5JudHeZrcE
 
Got the new SmartThings setup within minutes, locked the front door deadbolt with voice within minutes.  No CQC needed, so you HomeSeer/other folks could do this pretty easily too.
 
Right after this was done, I linked the ST to the Echo "officially", which means native voice control over any zWave lights/devices.
 
Pretty basic for this crew, next step is to gather multiple actions into a group so it can be "Alexa, trigger i'm home" or whatever. I'll most likely centralize all logic inside CQC so I have one location to change, will need IFTTT to trigger some stuff though.

 

[pete_c]

Very nice IVB.
 
Here have shut off the Amazon Echo ; novelty wore off.  It is cute.  (WAF didn't like the cylinder and I had moved it to behind furniture).
 
Playing with the Alexa application using the Kinect.  Alexa voice goes to the distributed Russound stuff.  Can't hide the Kinect right now though.  I like to tinker with this stuff but have not put any automation dependencies on it.
 
That said though I also have no automation dependencies on my smart phone and shut it off when I am not using it and ....
 
no automation dependencies on IFTTT, the Samsung Smart things hub nor any VR (Alexa/Kinect is for play and tinkering right now).

 

[BobS0327]

Really Cool, IVB.
 
I noticed you didn't have to use what I call "goofy" commands to the Echo.  For example, "Alexa, tell PI to turn off light".  You didn't use "ask" or "tell" in your commands.  I'm assuming that you can use Echo (Alexa) natively with the SmartThings hub.  Is my assumption correct?
 
Unfortunately, I have to wait until the end of January to get my Amazon Echo.
 
I also have a kinect from an Xbox 360 which is very low on the WAF scale.  It just doesn't appeal to her from a aesthetic viewpoint.  She likes the Echo.  Not so much because it tends to blend in with our decor but rather because she can also use it to access music etc.
 

 

[jkmonroe]

using IFTTT, there is a 'trigger' recipe you can create for the Echo.  So, "Alexa, trigger <you create what goes here>" will do whatever you want via IFTTT.
 
IVB is using IFTTT Echo Trigger -> SmartThings

 

[drvnbysound]

Am I correct to assume this is the only way that you would be able to control the lock? Meaning, I don't believe Zwave devices can be joined to more than one network (e.g. primary controller).

 

[jkmonroe]

zwave devices can have secondary controllers.  that's what the VRC0P+3 is. 
 
IVB is trying to figure out if we can use something like the SmartThings as the primary controller, and add the VRC0P as secondary in order to get the best of both worlds.
 
One of the users over in the CQC forums is doing it the other way, VRUSB primary, and SmartThings and VRC0P+3 as secondary, and everything works together.
 
let me elaborate on the idea - because ST has quite a bit of native integrations with things like the Echo, if that works as a primary controller and can replicate to the VRC0P, then you can use the native integration with Echo/ST, and still keep all of your primary logic with the more powerful backend of something like CQC.

 

[drvnbysound]

zwave devices can have secondary controllers.  that's what the VRC0P+3 is. 
 
IVB is trying to figure out if we can use something like the SmartThings as the primary controller, and add the VRC0P as secondary in order to get the best of both worlds.
 
One of the users over in the CQC forums is doing it the other way, VRUSB primary, and SmartThings and VRC0P+3 as secondary, and everything works together.

 
Right, I have the VRC0P with my Elk and wouldn't want to lose that functionality; specifically as they relate to all the existing HA rules I have setup via Elk natively.

 

[IVB]

Nothing to add beyond what JKMonroe said. I'll try my hand at replicating to VRCOP tonight and treating that as secondary.

 

[IVB]

btw i'm still waiting on you guys to tell me how pretty I looked. Tell me how pretty I looked. WHY AREN'T YOU TELLING ME I'M PRETTY?!?
 
(sobs in corner awaiting validation of physical attributes)

 

[ano]

I see it now. So its a nice day when the burglar goes up to IVB's house.  He goes over to an open window and shouts "Alexa trigger deactivate alarm" and then shouts "Alexa, trigger open front lock" The burglar then muttles "I sure wish all houses were this easy!"

 

[IVB]

Dude I live in Oakland. Criminals aren't that smart. They'll just kick the door down, not even checking to see if its unlocked first.
 
Although you're right. I'm going to change the IFTT phrase to say "Alexa trigger tickle Ano's feet" every time I want to unlock the front door.

 

[jkmonroe]

I see it now. So its a nice day when the burglar goes up to IVB's house.  He goes over to an open window and shouts "Alexa trigger deactivate alarm" and then shouts "Alexa, trigger open front lock" The burglar then muttles "I sure wish all houses were this easy!"

 
seriously, man.  i actually tested this and it worked.
 
i looked like a tool screaming at a window, but Alexa dutifully unlocked my door.  luckily the 'hubs' don't allow for unlock capabilities natively so random people cant do it.

 

[jkmonroe]

also, be glad you don't live here.  it's well worth the watch.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP7k08Ytdq4&feature=youtu.be

 

[BobS0327]

seriously, man.  i actually tested this and it worked.
 
i looked like a tool screaming at a window, but Alexa dutifully unlocked my door.  luckily the 'hubs' don't allow for unlock capabilities natively so random people cant do it.

I'm currently working on a smart home project which will utilize the Amazon echo.  The above situation also caused me a lot of concern in using the Echo.  I currently wouldn't use Echo for any security related tasks.  I did a fair amount of research on the issue and discovered that voice biometrics is now being used by banks and call centers to handle their transactions.  Voice biometrics is essentially analyzing voice patterns to determine the identity of the caller as opposed to asking the caller for a lot of confidential info to verify the caller.
 
AFAIK, voice biometrics isn't available to the little guy like myself.  But I feel that it will be available in the near future in the form of a cloud service, probably Software As A Service (SAAS).

 

[jkmonroe]

well that's sufficiently terrifying.  rise of the robots, 1984, and all that jazz.
 
sheesh.