Amazon echo and Google

Apps & Remote Access
#1

Anyone know if vera plus will work with voice controls using Amazon echo(Alexa) or google(ok google) devices? I am planning to buy one of those but first I have to make sure they work

#2

We are currently in public beta testing of the Alexa integration and we have begun work in integration of Google Home but I do not have an ETA for that at this time.

#3

I currently have it working with my Echo using a Pi for a bridge and BWS Systems software. Works well, takes a bit to set up. If it’s in beta, might be worthwhile seeing what they have cooking for integration.

#4

Actually scratch that, just tried the Alexa skill. BWS HA Bridge is light years ahead of the skill. It has scene control and you can easily change the phrase you use to activate the device or scene rather than changing the device name. And once again Scenes, if you can’t do scenes you might as well not do it. You can group devices in Alexa but that’s no substitute for a scene.

#5

I like that you can do the custom http commands with the BWS system very easily. I say Alexa turn on/off TV or set volume and it responds using the same syntax as other lights in the DIM URL field:

http://192.168.xxx.xxx:3480/data_request?id=action&DeviceNum=170&serviceId=urn:onkyo-com:serviceId:Receiver1&action=SetVolumeTarget&newTargetValue=${intensity.percent}

#6

… agreed.

I’m happy that Vera LLC is ‘actually’ getting Alexa integration running. I just installed it today and havent gotten it to work – Alexa says there are multiple devices for but there are not. I suspect the Room Names are confusing it… Kitchen, Kitchen Lights (as an example).

I’d much rather see Vera support BWS HA-Bridge and create an install able app so we can run BWS on the Vera. I’m running it on my Synology NAS right now, which is fine, but it makes more sense to run on Vera - if the Vera can handle the workload