Rev. 1.0 10/24/2016 1 | Page Integrating Amazon Alexa with RadioRA2 and HomeWorks QS 1.0 Overview With a Connect Bridge and any Alexa enabled devices, scenes can now be activated through voice commands. This integration can works with any Alexa enabled device – like Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire TV device with Fire TV Remote or Alexa Voice Remote. 1.1 Controlling Scenes through Voice Commands Any Single Action or Toggle button in the system can be added to voice control. All voice programming will be added from the Lutron Connect mobile application. Voice commands can be based on physical buttons from keypads in the home or from “virtual” keypads that only exist in the mobile app. When a voice command is based on a physical button an “Alias” can be used instead of the word engraved on the button. The default alias is the button engraving unless the engraving has key words “on/off” or is a duplicate of another button. Below is an example of how a voice command is structured.
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Integrating Amazon Alexa with RadioRA2 and HomeWorks QS
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Rev. 1.0 10/24/2016 1 | P a g e
Integrating Amazon Alexa with RadioRA2 and
HomeWorks QS
1.0 Overview
With a Connect Bridge and any Alexa enabled devices, scenes can now be activated
through voice commands. This integration can works with any Alexa enabled device –
like Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire TV device with Fire TV
Remote or Alexa Voice Remote.
1.1 Controlling Scenes through Voice Commands
Any Single Action or Toggle button in the system can be added to voice control. All voice programming will be added from the Lutron Connect mobile application. Voice commands can be based on physical buttons from keypads in the home or from “virtual” keypads that only exist in the mobile app. When a voice command is based on a physical button an “Alias” can be used instead of the word engraved on the button. The default alias is the button engraving unless the engraving has key words “on/off” or is a duplicate of another button. Below is an example of how a voice command is structured.
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1.2 Quick Start
1. Add at least one Alexa enabled device to the network
2. Open the Lutron Connect App and go to the settings menu
3. Tap on Voice Integration
4. Import favorites, if desired, otherwise select continue (if you haven’t set up already)
5. If favorites are imported, verify the (default) Voice Command/Alias (change it, if
necessary)
a. If scenes from keypads are being selected, navigate to the desired area where
the scene is located and verify that Voice Control is desired
6. Tap +Add/remove Scenes
7. Save voice integration settings
8. Using the Alexa app, enable the Lutron Connect skill
9. Ask Alexa device to “Discover smart home devices”
Important Note:
If using the multiple homes feature through the Lutron Connect App, multiple Amazon accounts
are required. One Amazon account cannot control multiple homes.
Once “Import” is selected, the Lutron Connect App will pull the favorites from the Connect App
and will populate the names of the favorites with a Voice Command, also known as an Alias.
The Voice Command is what the Alexa enabled device will be listening for and respond to. The
Voice Command can have a different name from the favorite or keypad.
Important Note:
All Voice Commands must be unique and not have the words “On”, “Off”,
“Lights” and “Scene”.
After all the Voice Commands have been added, instruct Alexa to discover smart home devices
by saying “Alexa discover smart home devices.”
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3.2 Configuring Scenes to work from Amazon Alexa Devices
To use scenes from keypads, which are not part of the favorites, tap the Continue button. Once
Continue is selected, choose to +Add/remove Scenes.
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The Connect App will then display the areas containing keypads. Navigate to the scene desired
for voice control. The names of scenes can be changed if the name of the voice command is
going to be different than what is labeled on the keypad button. Tap Save when done.
Once all Voice Commands have been added instruct Alexa to discover smart home device by
saying “Alexa discover smart home devices.”
Important Note:
Toggle provides both on and off functionality via voice command.
On action triggered by “Alexa turn on Kitchen”
Off action triggered by “Alexa turn off Kitchen”
Single Action will activate scene
Action triggered by “On” voice commands (The “turn on” phrase acts like “activate” in this case as Amazon does not currently support scenes)
o “Alexa turn on Welcome” o “Alexa turn on Goodnight”
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4.0 Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amazon Alexa?
Amazon Alexa is Amazon’s voice service that responds to questions or commands. For example,
Alexa can tell you the current weather forecast, give you the latest news, play music, control select
connected home products, and much more. You can find out more at http://www.amazon.com/echo
What hardware is required from Amazon to use Alexa?
Alexa requires an Alexa enabled device such as Amazon Echo, Echo Dot (both generations),
Amazon Tap, Fire TV Remote or Alexa Voice Remote in order to utilize the voice control
service.
How many Amazon Alexa devices can I have?
There is no limitation on to how many Alexa devices you can have.
What software is required from Amazon to use Alexa?
In order to set up Amazon Alexa, the Amazon Alexa app is required for initial setup.
What do I need from Lutron to control my lights from Amazon Alexa?
Lutron Connect Bridge, RadioRA 2 main repeater or HomeWorks QS processor with version
10.6 or higher and version 3.0 for the Connect App.
Is there a fee for use of Amazon Alexa with Lutron?
No, there is no fee to use the Alexa service or the Lutron Connect App.
Can I have Alexa control my favorite scenes?
Yes, you will be asked if favorite scenes can be imported the first time that you use the Voice
Integration option in the settings menu.
How many scenes can I control with Alexa?
99 scenes can be controlled through Alexa.
Why can’t I use some keypad buttons with Alexa?
Some buttons may have special programming functions assigned to them.
What can I say to Alexa in order to control my lights and shades?
You can say any of the following commands. (We used “Dining” and “Entertain” examples scenes. “Alexa, turn on Dining”, and the Dining scene will turn on. “Alexa, turn on Entertain”, and the Entertain scene will turn on. Here are a few things to consider when using scenes with Alexa:
Avoid using the word “scene” when talking to Alexa (e.g. say “Alexa, turn on Dining” NOT “Alexa, turn on Dining scene”.)
Avoid using words like ‘on’ or ‘off’ or ‘music’ in the scene names within the Lutron Connect app (e.g. name a scene ‘Goodnight’ instead of ‘All Off’.)
When controlling shades it is recommended to use “scene” names instead of “shade” names (e.g. to open shades in the morning use ‘Rise and shine’ instead of ‘Shades open’.)
In some circumstances, similar names may cause improper detection of voice commands. If this happens change the voice command to something more unique.
How can I change the name of scenes that Alexa controls?
Change the names of the scenes or the name of the voice command in the Lutron Connect App, then say “Alexa, discover my devices” and Alexa will recognize the new names.
What should I do if I add more scenes after setting up Alexa?
Simply say “Alexa, discover my devices” and your new devices and scenes will be discovered. You
can also wait about an hour after adding your dimmers and scenes to the Lutron App and, Alexa will
automatically discover them.
Can Alexa perform multiple actions with a single command (for example, “Alexa, tell me the
news and turn on my kitchen lights”)?
No, Alexa can only perform one action at a time.
How do I know if my Alexa enabled device can hear me?
When you say “Alexa,” the blue LED ring on the top of your Amazon Echo will light up. That means
Alexa heard you and is waiting for you to say something.
Do I need to have my smartphone with me in order to use Alexa?
No, you don’t need to have your smartphone with you. You just need to be within listening range of
your Amazon Echo or Echo Dot; be able to tap and speak into your Amazon Tap; or be able to
speak into an Alexa Voice Remote paired with an Amazon Fire TV when saying a command.