Use SmartThings to Make Echo Announcements - Simulated Alexa Switch
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- IMPORTANT: There is an updated video using Edge Virtual Switches for Echo announcements. See the updated video here: • SmartThings and Alexa ...
Echo Announcements Triggered By SmartThings Automations Using a Simulated Alexa Switch
🔵 Brian Pierron's "Virtual Alexa Switch" Article: tinyurl.com/2w...
🔵 Raw Code for Virtual Alexa Switch: tinyurl.com/2g...
🔵SmartThings Account (Groovy IDE): account.smartt...
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#SamsungSmartthingsAutomation #VirtualAlexaSwitch #AlexaAndSmartthings
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thanks bud's automation!
You’re welcome!
Thanks Bud, another very creative way to use SmartThings & Echo devices together. I’m still hoping for the return of Echo Speaks, but this is an excellent solution in the interim & foreseeable future!
Thanks Dan. I agree. A return of Echo Speaks would be very welcomed.
The switch works, and it triggers alexa routines also.
But the main routine set in ST doesn't work.
The washer doesn't trigger the ST routine when the washer cycle gets completed
What smart device are you using to trigger the SmartThings routine?
Thank you Bud! I was able to now add the ST presence sensor with Alexa announcements! You da man!!!
That’s great Bman. I’m glad it worked out. Keep automating!
Hi Bud, I do have another question and hoping you could share your advise/expertise. Now that I have added the Alexa switch and announcements are made once my son’s ST presence sensor is home, I noticed the ST presence sensor has limited range, and is located in his truck. Depending on where he is parked (driveway/street) Sometimes ST will trigger or toggle (arrival/departure) and now that I have activated the Alexa switch (for announcements) I am getting announcements that are sometime false, due to range of presence sensor to the ST hub. I was figuring if I can set an action (in automations) that will turn off the automation (arrival) once he has arrived, then when he leaves, (departure) it would reset the arrival action & visa versa. I hope I explained this well enough. Thanks.
A much easier solution may be to adjust the circumference of your Geo fence. If you make the circumference of your fence, (the Geo circle surrounding your home) larger, then the SmartThings Hub would sense his arrival a bit sooner and make sure that his presence sensor shows detected whether he parks in the driveway or out in the street. It may also be just a matter of repositioning your geo-Fence to ensure that both parking scenarios are within the fence.
To get to Geo fence tap the three dots in the upper right hand corner and then tap on location settings. If you tap on your address you’ll see the geo- fence image and you’ll be able to adjust it by long pressing the circle to adjust
@@BudsSmartHome hi Bud, I had reduced the size of the fence. I believe there could be a transmitter (ST Presence Sensor) range issue. Not certain where I read this but the range is ~50 Ft from sensor to ST Hub. Don’t think the application /device is really meant for leaving in a car, due to the fact that it’s a key fob device and probably meant fir you to attach to your car keys or car key fob. So when your in the home there will be no false arrival/departure due to the ST Hub’a inability to sense the presence sensor. This is why I had asked if I could incorporate and additional action within the ST automations that will turn off the arrival announcement, one Alexa make the initial “arrival announcement,” then turn on the automation once the departure is triggered. Thanks
a question can I create more buttons gives me an error thanks
Each virtual switch must have a unique Device Network ID. If not you’ll get an error. So if you use VS1 for the first switch, you must use a sequence like VS2, VS3, etc. Does this make sense?
Hi, just realised this is not going to work because Groovy IDE doesn't exist anymore. Please can you do a new version with the new version?
Cheers
Hi Samantha. This can now be accomplished with Virtual Edge sensors. Article here: community.smartthings.com/t/st-edge-vedge-creator-a-virtual-device-generator-for-end-users/231786
Sure would be great to see examples happening at the beginning of each video.
Melissa - I'm not sure to what you are referring when you say you want to see "examples" of something which is "at the beginning of the video". Can you give me the video time marker and be more specific what you hope to see. Perhaps I have covered something you seek in another video...
@@BudsSmartHome what I mean is before going into the actual tutorial spend a couple minutes of you actually using them. Not sure how to be clearer. A lot of times I watch through and am still not sure why I would want to go through the motions of all that. Show what it’s meant to do rather than simply describe it.
Thanks for the clarification Melissa. I know virtual switches are a difficult concept to grasp at first because they are abstract rather than tangible. Just think of them as a wall switch that when turned on, it can trigger a select device, or in the example I provided in the video, a voice announcement. The reason I was not more specific is because you can use them in any routine. The switch can turn on a light, announce that a door opened, cause a smart switch to turn off thereby turning off a small appliance. The possibilities are unlimited. in the following video, here- ua-cam.com/video/3GHrIMgOwMk/v-deo.html I use this same virtual switch to trigger Alexa into Guard Mode when ever all family members depart from our home an then disable Alexa Guard when any one family member returns. Hope this helps.
@@BudsSmartHome no I get that. That’s the point tho. With real life examples someone can understand how they could adapt it to their own situation. Otherwise it might as well be a book.
Dear Bud, This works great! but I am having trouble creating a second one, What do I need to Change for it to Work? Thanks
Kaelan, sorry for the late reply... Thanks for reaching out with your issue. I'd like to see if I can help you but first I need more information about your setup. Can you send me some screen captures of your IDE settings to my email address? Please go to my channel page, ua-cam.com/channels/4uzq0F4s07dVxfvB6XfxZQ.html and look under the "About" tab for my email address.
Hi Bud! I haven't found it yet on the web (beside doing something way more complex then it would be necessary with home assistant) and I wonder if you know how to do it. I want to simulat an alexa aweken word... Why's that? Let's say for example:
There is a trigger that anouces me that the door has been open for 5 minutes and ask me if I want to lock it. (for that I would use one simulated alexa swich and leve it open for lets say 30 secons before closing it).
If I anwser YES (another simulated alexa switch opens and if both are open (the one that asked me and the "yes) then she would lock the dor.
Ive done it with a several routines. Multiple questions like have you taken the garbadge outside today, have you taken your B12 supplement and so on and when I respond yes she will only ask me again after a period of time (ex 7 days).
But everytime I have to say "ALEXA, YES".
A simple "Yes" would be much better.
But for that I have to make an automation that at the end of the automation she starts listening to me just as if I've just said the awaken word.
Do you know if it is possible and if so, how?
I think this would make these kind of automations much more simpler than using ex home assistant as Smartthings is much more user friendly.
I'm not exactly sure how to exclude the wake word. It might be easier to use a wireless z-wave switch, amzn.to/3xvGfIc Press one button for Yes and a second button for No.
@@BudsSmartHome Home hi bud! I'm not sure if i was clear enough. I want that as an action, my Amazon speakers start listening as if i just said "Alexa". Is it clear now?
It's clear. I just don't believe that it is possible.
Hey Bud, I came across your info and thought this was Great...tried to do it and Bam...found out Smartthings is no longer allowing us to create new Device Handlers.
Any workaround to this now? I really liked this idea.
(Currently i have a Routine in place where if I leave the house it turns on Guard, but i want it to turn on when Everyone leaves)
Anyway, here is some info i found...curious to hear your thoughts?
ST has moved over to using Edge drivers and DTH’s are about to go away with the deprecation of Groovy and the migration. You also can’t add any SmartApps now either.
Beginning September 30, 2022, at 00:00 (PST) we will start migrations of Groovy device DTHs as well as SmartLighting and SevereWeather SmartApps, two of our most popular Smartapps built on Groovy. On October 15th 2022 certain functions of the legacy developer IDE, such as the creation of new DTH’s, Smartapps, and debugging tools will be removed from the SmartThings platform and will no longer be supported. After migrations are complete, this means that devices and automations previously using Groovy will now exclusively operate with our latest hub and cloud technology.
Hi Paul, Thanks for your question. I'd encourage you to watch two of my recent videos that explain the transition to Edge Driver and which also provide Edge Driver resources, such as a list of Edge Driver Channel Invitation links: here: ua-cam.com/video/X81EsMUW8HI/v-deo.html and here: ua-cam.com/video/RbjP89yoV3M/v-deo.html
As for your question, you need an Edge compatible virtual switch. You will write a ST routine to turn the switch on when everyone leaves and your house is set to "Armed Away". If you use a virtual "Contact" switch the switches status change can be used in an Alexa routine as a trigger to start and stop Echo Guard. Here are links and instructions for installing the Edge Virtual Switch utility:
Use TAustin's vEdge Creator: a virtual device generator for end users. Link here: community.smartthings.com/t/st-edge-vedge-creator-a-virtual-device-generator-for-end-users/231786
1. Follow the channel invitation link to load the driver to your hub: api.smartthings.com/invitation-web/accept?id=cc2197b9-2dce-4d88-b6a1-2d198a0dfdef
2. Once the driver has been installed to your hub, go to your mobile app and do an Add device / Scan for nearby devices. This will result in the creation of a new device called vEdge Creator V2.5 to be found in your No Room Assigned room.
3. Open the new creator device to the device Controls screen. Set the quantity of devices you want to create of a given type, then select the device type and your device(s) will be created in your “No room assigned” room.
Hope this helps
Can I create more than one simulated alexa switch to use with several buttons and switches I have?
Absolutely. Just make sure that the network ID is different for each switch that you create
@@BudsSmartHome Thank you very much appreciate your time to to reply.
Great info. Just what I needed. I set up the first Virtual switch with Alexa for a leak leak detection sensor for the kitchen. I made four device handlers with different names with no problems. But, when I try to set up the second virtual switch in My Devices for the laundry room, I get an error message in Smartthings IDE
Hi Ed. What sort of error are you getting? You stated that you made four 'device handlers'??? It's not necessary to create multiple device handlers. Doing this may be contributing to your error. Once the device handler is created you want to use it to create multiple virtual switches under the "my Devices". Just be sure to give each virtual switch device you create a unique name, eg. leak switch, door switch.
@@BudsSmartHome Thanks for quick reply. When I try creating a second simulated device switch using the one and only device handler, I get the error: "500:Internal Server Error" and "URL: /device/save". This is the same error I had with creating a second simulated device using a different device handler. I have four water leak sensors and want Alexa to announce " a leak and location" for each sensor. The first simulated switch works great, but cannot create more.
@@edcook9866 - I think that this error is coming from the fact that you likely used an identical
"Device Network ID" when you created the seconded switch in the "My Devices" tab. Please ensure that your are using unique 'Device Network ID' for each switch your create. For eg. virtual-1; virtual-2; virtual-3...
Let me know if a unique 'Device Network ID' eliminates your error.
This old retired senior citizen thanks you for solving my error message. That did the trick. I went back to 4 separate device handlers to trigger a specific simulated device which then runs the the correct alexa routine which contains the location of the leak sensor. Hope my mistakes might help others. Thanks again.
Glad I could help Ed.
Hi do you know a device that send signal to Alexa when my motor pump is running. Like an announcement that my motor pump is running.
Yes. This can be done either by using a vibration sensor or a plug that has energy monitoring capability.
Aeotec SmartThings Door/Window Sensor, Multipurpose Sensor (detects vibrations): amzn.to/3rp1V4U
Aeotec Smart Switch 7 (energy monitoring): amzn.to/3Ee3l7e
Nice work, Bud! With the demise of Echo Speaks, this video is on time. I have previously tried using the simulated alexa switch, precisely to make arrival/departure announcements, however, I was never able to get Alexa routines to recognize the switch as a trigger even though the switch was listed as a device in Alexa. I also tried creating a virtual switch using the virtual device creator smartapp and got the same result. Its odd that Alexa recognizes it as a device but does not recognize it as a trigger device in routines. If you have any ideas, please let me know. As always, keep up the good work! BTW, you must have a very happy wife :)
Thanks for the comments Tippy. I always enjoy and appreciate the encouragement. As the saying goes, “ happy wife, happy life!”
@@BudsSmartHome I just tried your method again and was abe to set everything up! Now just have to wait for the wife to leave to test it out. Lol
Tippy - that’s awesome!
Love Love Love this!!! I am new to all this. Your video has really helped me out. Will these same steps apply to the Samsung Arrival sensor?
Thanks Garry. Glad you found the video helpful. Can you be more specific about what you are hoping to do with the Samsung Arrival Sensor?
@@BudsSmartHome Thank you for the super quick response. I am doing the same thing you are doing in the video. I have Samsung Arrival sensor. Was curious if it will work like the video above. Sorry I am super new to this. Thanks in advance.
@@gerrynevels1992 - Yes, it should work fine. Just use the same device handler (type) when creating a second Simulated Alexa Switch in the SmartThings IDE "Device List". Also, be sure to give the new device it a different name for its "Device Network ID". If you use the same Network ID you'll get an error. Once the switch is setup in the Device List it will show in your ST App and you will be able to use it in an automation. (I.e. when presence sensor arrives, turn simulated echo switch on...). Much Success!
@@BudsSmartHome Thank you so much!! Happy New Year! I look forward to more videos.
@@scorpionrock2000 - Happy New Year!
Many thanks for the video, as always, Fantastic!!
Quick question?
I am showing up as a member when I create the routine, it my wife and daughter don’t.
We are all using Life360
They do show up in ST under devices, and when they leave the home, the status is updated!
Any ideas?
Your mobile devices connect via the new Smartthings App will not automatically show as a presence device.
As a workaround, you can create a virtual presence sensor and then keep that synced up with the phone presence. The virtual presence sensor will show up as a device in your device list. I did this so that I can use my devices in automations and scenes. Here is a SmartThings Community article: community.smartthings.com/t/mobile-phone-presence-in-the-new-app/198754 This is likely a future video topic for my channel.
Thanks very much Bud, appreciate the info.
I followed your instructions , works a treat.
Take care
Cheers
Eli
My Simulated Alexa Switch has stopped working. Is your's still working? Have you had to make any changes to keep it working?
Mine is working fine Barrie. I plan to use it in another automation that I am putting together tomorrow.
Did you get the switch working Barrie?
@@BudsSmartHome Thanks for asking Bud. No luck so far. I have spent hours on this trying to get back up and running. I have reached out to the SmartThings Facebook group and to the SmartThings user community. JDRoberts suggested that there might be an alternative solution using WebCore. Feedback from the Facebook group is that many users are experiencing glitches with the simulated alexa switch and many others are having no problems. From what I gather it is a SmartThings issue and not Alexa. I will keep watching the SmartThings Community to see if there is a resolution. Until then I am planning on using a piezo buzzer with a wifi relay that buzzes when my gate has opened. If someone programmed WebCore to resolve it I would use their solution, but I probably won't invest in learning WebCore to resolve it myself.
That’s strange that the switch is working for some and not for others. Perhaps it will resolve itself. Sorry to hear you’re having such difficulty.It is good however to know that there are is a problem in case other subscribers inquire. Please keep me posted on how you get this matter resolved. Thanks
This might be a dumb question, but do I need to create a Simulated Alexa Switch for each automation / device? Meaning, if I had this one like you have above, and wanted to create another one, lets say to play something for a front door, opening announcement, does it need its own Virtual Switch? Thank you.
Hi James! Yes, you will need a unique virtual switch for each device, unless you want to control a group of devices based on the action of a single virtual switch. I trust this answer is understandable and helpful?
Bud's Home Automations & Repairs Thank you for the reply!
I set this up and everything looks to be working in both smart things and Alexa but when I go to test the routine, the routine fails to run. When I activate the simulated switch in smart things it activates the switch in Alexa but doesn’t trigger the routine. Any ideas?
Vincent Hylla - dumb question here, I’m assuming you set up Amazon Alexa as a voice assistant and the new ST app? If not, hit the + in the new app and look for voice assistance and select Amazon Alexa. You also need to delete all your devices and remove the old Samsung smart things skill first if you haven’t already done so. Then run the new voice assistant from ST and Alexa will rediscover all your devices. You will need to go through any routines you have and reselect any smart home devices in those routines.
Bud's Home Automations & Repairs I have Alexa setup in new ST. I wish it was that easy if a fix lol. Also don’t have old ST skill in Alexa. Not sure what the problem is 😔
Vincent Hylla - did you delete all of your devices in the Alexa app and then have Alexa rediscover all your devices?
Bud's Home Automations & Repairs I’ll try that out
Can you use this virtual switch in Webcore.?
Hello Cook! I'm not real versed in the WebCore App, so I'm not sure. It is worth a try.
thanks for the detailed explanation! It all worked great until I tried to have Alexas routine being triggered. Alexa recognizes the switch and the status (on/off) but it doesn't trigger the actual routine/announcement for me. Is it because my Alexa app only recognizes it as switch/light? Are there any alternative codes that could be used? I'm not sure what the issue is as I'm new to this. Thanks in advance.
It could be a number of things, but I’m going to make a guess here. The SmartThings routine turns the switch on when the conditions are met. An ‘on’ switch in Alexa is interpreted as an open switch not a closed switch. This always throws me because in electrical terms and on switch is closed, not open. That aside, since the switch is open in SmartThings, the trigger switch for your Alexa routine should be set to off, not on. In other words when the switch turns off then run the Alexa routine. Hope this helps.
@@BudsSmartHome thanks for the feedback. Yesssss! I started fresh and adjusted it accordingly. It finally works. Had the washer and dryer for 2 years and I finally get announcements when done. I appreciate it. Thank you!
I'm happy that you got it working now!
Would this also work for a Google Assistant device or does this only apply for Echo? There doesn't seem to be any tutorials regarding this for Google Assistant devices anywhere, just Echo devices.
Hello Daniel - Check out the following article: www.pocket-lint.com/smart-home/news/google/144815-how-to-set-up-google-home-with-smartthings
Thanks!
@@BudsSmartHome Thanks for the Article! This has been a huge help and i love your content 👍
Glad it helped. Thanks Daniel!
Hi Bud, thanks for the video! I am receiving an error when I save the code in my device handler. I am following the instructions to a T and I receive this error, Warning: DTHs set to run locally, when used with incompatible devices, may cause local rules to not behave as expected. If this occurs, remove the local flags, re-publish the DTH, and re-save the rule."
Any idea why I am getting this error and how to fix it?
There are opinions voiced about this error on the SmartThings Community forum here: community.smartthings.com/t/warning-dths-set-to-run-locally-when-used-with-incompatible-devices-may-cause-local-rules-to-not-behave-as-expected-if-this-occurs-remove-the-local-flags-re-publish-the-dth-and-re-save-the-rule/227100
Basically, it appears to be a warning not to set the local flags on a custom DTH. I think you can disregard the warning and the DTH (device type handler) should still perform as intended.
Hi Bud... Is there a similar code for Google? Thanks
Hi ARI, I am not fully versed in google home devices, but I did uncover an article on this matter over on the SmartThings forum. Hope this helps: community.smartthings.com/t/google-home-smartthings-announcer-for-doors-motion-and-everything-else-i-hope/112531/7
ARI - Here is specific setup instructions for creating a device handler in your SmartThings IDE using GitHub Code. github.com/braytonstafford/google-assistant-relay
@@BudsSmartHome thank you very much Bud. I just discovered your channel n have subscribed. Very detailed in your explanations for newbies like me. Thank you again
Great to have you on board ARI!