Alexa thinks my lock is a light

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  • Last Post 27 December 2017
scott4957 posted this 19 October 2017

I was able to get my Yale lock working with Axial, tip for anyone reading this, you must join it to the network via the Axial software as opposed to adding it directly to your controller. 

For some reason in the Alexa addon, Alexa thinks its a light, so i have to say "Alexa, turn on my front door" rather than "Alexa, lock my front door" I can't find any way to change this in the Alexa app, and Axial has everything correct from what I can see. Any help would be appreciated.

Scott

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rscott posted this 19 October 2017

At the time we wrote the plugin, Amazon didn't allow us to use any "security" devices, including doors and alarms/sirens, so that was the only option.

scott4957 posted this 19 October 2017

Got ya, and thanks for the quick reply. Any word if that will change? I didn't know if that was specific to Axial or security related home automation devices in general. Minor issue of course, just curious. 

rscott posted this 19 October 2017

It looks like they now allow you to send lock commands, but not unlock. We can make the change, but when we do, you'll be unable to unlock the door. 

scott4957 posted this 19 October 2017

Appreciate it. Makes sense on not being able to unlock it. An open window and a voice command and you are in someones house.

nelis249 posted this 21 October 2017

Yea thats one I think Alexa lacks, voice type recognition. Alexa seems to be working on that functionality here. If you think about it, they only have to train the wake up word 'Alexa' (or the others if you changed it). It would be like a key to a lock, you have the key (your voice). Saying Alexa, it would understand and recognize your voice and then would just interpret whatever afterwards. Maybe then they'd allow the unlock functionality.

 

@scott497, I don't have a door lock but can you control it (unlock/lock) via a scene? Maybe that's a workaround.

pir8radio posted this 27 December 2017

So this is still an issue?   I have to say Turn ON and Turn OFF front door to lock and unlock?

rscott posted this 27 December 2017

Yes, it still sees them as lights.  I can change it, but we'll lose the ability to actually unlock the door. Though, as Nelis suggests, perhaps unlocking it via a scene is a good enough work around?

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