Vera works with Amazon Alexa devices so you can command your home with just your voice. You can ask Alexa to control your light bulbs, on/off switches, dimmer switches, smart plugs, thermostats, and Vera Scenes.
This guide will cover:
[ul][li]The prerequisites
Installing Alexa
Installing the Vera Skill
Supported Commands
Managing Alexa
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The Prerequisites
[ul][li]An existing Vera account with at least one controller assigned to it
At least one lighting, or climate device paired to your Vera controller
An existing Amazon account with an Alexa device paired to it
Also, it is essential to take the following details into account:
The Alexa device is powered on and connected to a Wi-Fi network with Internet access The compatible models are:
Echo
Tap
Echo Dot
Echo Show
Your Vera controller is online
You have upgraded the firmware to version 7.0.20b or newer[/li]
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Install Alexa
[ol][li]Create a new Amazon account:
Login to http://alexa.amazon.com
Once logged in, you are greeted with information on how to get started
Select your device (e.g. Echo Dot)
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Note: For security reasons you will be asked to sign in again
Start Alexa setup:
[ol][li]Select language
Begin Echo setup ? connect to Wi-Fi
Wait for the orange light ring on Echo Dot
Connect your PC to Echo Dot
Press the dot button (on Echo Dot), to put Alexa in setup mode
Select the Wi-Fi network you want Echo Dot to connect to[/li]
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There is also an advanced mode that allows the end user to manually configure the Wi-Fi network
Once connected to Wi-Fi, the Alexa setup process is completed. You will be prompted with a few additional fields with details on how to use Alexa, as well as with a few examples of voice commands that can be used
Installing the Vera Skill
[ol][li]Login to http://alexa.amazon.com or open the Amazon mobile app
On the left side menu, click the Skills section
Search for ?Vera Control? (the name of the Skill) and access the Vera skill by selecting it
Click the ?Enable? button
At this point you should be redirected to alexa.getvera.com. Log in with your Vera credentials.
Once you login, a list of the devices and scenes from the assigned Vera unit should be displayed.[/li]
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NOTE: You will see a list of devices that are accepted (and which you can select) and devices that are prohibited (selection is not possible, device is displayed with a red exclamation point icon). The reason is because device types that have security or safety considerations are currently prohibited and Alexa will not discover nor execute commands on them. The concerned device categories are:
[ul][li]Door locks
Garage doors
Security systems
Security sensors
Cooking appliances
Cameras[/li]
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Select all the devices and scenes that will be controlled with Amazon Alexa and then click Finish.
NOTE: You can give the devices custom names if needed.
After the plugin is installed and the accounts are linked, the following message will appear:
"Alexa has been successfully linked with Vera Control?.
To discover devices, return to the Amazon Alexa homepage and a pop-up should appear with the message ?Smart Home devices must be discovered before they can be used with Alexa.? Click ?Discover Devices? to find your devices from your Vera unit.
Once you click ?Discover Devices?, a pop-up will appear with the message ?Alexa is looking for devices.?
After the message disappears, you?ll be able to see the Smart Home tab and all of the discovered devices from the Smart Home tab.
Congratulations!
Your Vera system is now successfully linked to your Amazon Alexa device. Start controlling your devices and Scenes with your voice!
Supported Commands
The Vera Smart Home Skill V2 API currently has suppor, for lights, switches, smart plugs and thermostats, including turning devices on and off, dimming lights, and thermostat controls.
Turn a device On/Off
Alexa, turn on/off the kitchen light
Alexa, turn on/off the heat
Turn your scenes on
Alexa, turn on All Lights
Brighten or dim your lights
Alexa, brighten the kitchen light
Alexa, dim the kitchen light
Set lights or temperature
Alexa, set the kitchen light to 50%
Alexa, set the heat to 72 degrees
Increase or decrease temperature on thermostats
Alexa, increase Living Thermostat by 5 degrees
Alexa, decrease Living Thermostat by 5 degrees
Managing Alexa
[ol][li]Go to home.getvera.com and login with your Vera account.
Expand the user menu in the top right corner of the page and click on “Manage Alexa”.
Select the devices and scenes associated with your Vera controller(s) that you want to control with Alexa.
Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click on “Finish” once you are done. You should see a success message: “Alexa has been successfully linked with Vera Smart Home.” and the required plugin will be installed on your Vera.
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NOTE: For new actions to play with, specific device help, and much more, check out the Amazon Alexa Smart Home Skill Support Section. [url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201749230]Amazon.com Help
Check out our support article as well which also includes screen captures with the entire process:
http://support.getvera.com/customer/portal/articles/2648086