Alexa (Virtual Assistants) and Zway
Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:56
Hey,
I've developed a web service which I aim to offer as a bridge between virtual assistants (Alexa, Google Home etc) and home automation controllers. For now it only supports Alexa and zway.
I will be looking for beta testers in the near future, once I've ironed out a few things. I need to get the Alexa skill certified first. Let me know if you're interested.
To keep it simple my app:
1 - Pulls all devices from a controller
2 - Displays each device sorted by location
3 - Allows the user to easily set a friendly device name which the virtual assistants will use when reading a device
4 - Accept commands from the virtual assistants, such as turning on/off a device, setting device level e.g. dimmer
My app should also support multiple controller configurations, even multiple z-way controllers, which I thought could be useful for some users.
This hasn't been easy. I've had to study the Amazon home kit API, setup a Lambda service and an OAUTH server, code my app and study the Z-way API. In time I do aim to make this a paid for service (small yearly fee), but only if it's of interest to the public. If not, it's been an interesting leaning curve.
So far it works really well. When I get time over the next week or so I'll try and post some video examples.
The problem I have at the moment is with how my app connects to a users controller. Currently you have to store your z-way username/password in my app, which then stores your password within a DB in cleartext....urghhh. I have secured the service the best as I can, but regardless I still do not like this.
Do Z-Way have any plans for a Cloud solution that would be more appropriate for integrating 3rd party apps?
So far my app also requires the user to input their IP/Hostname (Dynamic DNS should be supported). This isn't ideal, as it requires router adjustments. I believe Z-way has a Cloud service at https://find.z-wave.me, but so far I cannot even login...no do I know if the Z-WAY api will allow me to use that as the end point.
One thought I did have was to develop some form of module for each controller which can then connect to my app and act as a relay, maybe via a web socket or something, but I'd rather avoid that route.
Please let me know your thoughts.
I've developed a web service which I aim to offer as a bridge between virtual assistants (Alexa, Google Home etc) and home automation controllers. For now it only supports Alexa and zway.
I will be looking for beta testers in the near future, once I've ironed out a few things. I need to get the Alexa skill certified first. Let me know if you're interested.
To keep it simple my app:
1 - Pulls all devices from a controller
2 - Displays each device sorted by location
3 - Allows the user to easily set a friendly device name which the virtual assistants will use when reading a device
4 - Accept commands from the virtual assistants, such as turning on/off a device, setting device level e.g. dimmer
My app should also support multiple controller configurations, even multiple z-way controllers, which I thought could be useful for some users.
This hasn't been easy. I've had to study the Amazon home kit API, setup a Lambda service and an OAUTH server, code my app and study the Z-way API. In time I do aim to make this a paid for service (small yearly fee), but only if it's of interest to the public. If not, it's been an interesting leaning curve.
So far it works really well. When I get time over the next week or so I'll try and post some video examples.
The problem I have at the moment is with how my app connects to a users controller. Currently you have to store your z-way username/password in my app, which then stores your password within a DB in cleartext....urghhh. I have secured the service the best as I can, but regardless I still do not like this.
Do Z-Way have any plans for a Cloud solution that would be more appropriate for integrating 3rd party apps?
So far my app also requires the user to input their IP/Hostname (Dynamic DNS should be supported). This isn't ideal, as it requires router adjustments. I believe Z-way has a Cloud service at https://find.z-wave.me, but so far I cannot even login...no do I know if the Z-WAY api will allow me to use that as the end point.
One thought I did have was to develop some form of module for each controller which can then connect to my app and act as a relay, maybe via a web socket or something, but I'd rather avoid that route.
Please let me know your thoughts.