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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.

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Contents 1.0 Overview ............................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Controlling Scenes through Voice Commands ................................................................ 1

1.2 Quick Start ................................................................................................................... 2

2.0 System Requirments .......................................................................................................... 4

2.1 Hardware and Software Requirements ........................................................................... 4

2.2 Hardware Configuration .................................................................................................. 5

2.2 Programming Best Practices .......................................................................................... 6

3.0 Lutron Connect App Set Up ............................................................................................... 7

3.1 Importing Favorites to for Voice Integration .................................................................... 7

3.2 Configuring Scenes to work from Amazon Alexa Devices ..............................................10

4.0 Frequently Asked Questions .............................................................................................12

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2.0 System Requirments

2.1 Hardware and Software Requirements

The diagram below demonstrates how Alexa enabled devices and the RadioRA 2/

HomeWorks QS components need to be set up for integration of voice command in

RadioRA 2 and HomeWorks QS.

Items required for installation:

Alexa enabled device Allows for Voice Control

Lutron Connect Bridge Provides Cloud Integration

RA2 Main Repeater or HomeWorks QS Processor

Holds the database

RadioRA 2 or HomeWorks QS Software Version 10.6 or higher

Allows for voice commands to work with the Connect Bridge

Lutron Connect App 3.0 or higher Allows integtration configuration for end user

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2.2 Hardware Configuration

WiFi

Amazon Echo

HomeWorks QS

Processor

Echo Dot

WiFi/Wired Router

Ethernet

WiFi

Ethernet

Or

RadioRA2 Main

Repeater

Internet

Amazon

Cloud

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1. Install the Lutron Connect Bridge on the same network as the RadioRA 2 Main repeater

or HomeWorks QS processor and activate the Connect Bridge. (per instructions in GUI)

2. Add an Alexa enabled device to the network.

3. Enable the Lutron Connect skill to Alexa

4. Ask the Alexa enabled device to discover smart home devices.

5. Use the Voice Command/engraving on buttons or alias to call scenes.

2.2 Programming Best Practices

Applicable button types:

RadioRA 2:

Single/Multi-Room Scene

Toggle Control/Room Monitoring

HomeWorks QS:

Single Action

Toggle

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 scenes

Action triggered by “On” voice commands (The “turn on” phrase acts like “activate” in this case)

o “Alexa turn on Welcome” o “Alexa turn on Goodnight”

Important Note:

All Voice Commands must be unique and not have the words “On”, “Off”,

“Lights” and “Scene”.

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3.0 Lutron Connect App Set Up

3.1 Importing Favorites to for Voice Integration

Link Alexa enabled devices to the Lutron Connect Bridge by selecting the settings button (gear)

and then Voice Integration.

Next, select +Add/Remove Scenes.

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When setting up Voice Integration for the first time, the option to import HomeGlance favorites

as voice commands will pop-up. Pressing “Import” will enable all HomeGlance favorites. Press

“Continue” to select individual scenes from keypads in the project. For more information on

HomeGlance favorites please view the Connect App guide

http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/Lutron-Connect-App-Guide.pdf

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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:

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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.