I'd like to add all my existing devices (all WIFI) from my Echo hub to Hubitat:
Do I really need to fully remove everything from Amazon to be able to add them? Will I then still be able to use my voice to control devices and routines?
I'm asking because I tested on one light switch and even if my Hubitat can see the device, I've been unable to add it back to Amazon using the skill.
I suppose it depends how they behave when linked to two devices
If your wifi devices connect to Hubitat ok (listed here https://docs.hubitat.com/index.php?title=List_of_Compatible_Devices ) then you would add the Amazon echo skill App to your Hub and link the account within the Alexa app using the Hubitat skill. Once you've done this you can go to the app in Hubitat and allow Alexa to see whichever devices you wish to expose to her.
In general, you may not be able to pair WiFi devices with Hubitat, as every WiFi IoT device manufacturer tends to lock them down into their own apps (often cloud-dependent). There are some exceptions to that rule though.
It sounds like you may have already successfully paired one device to Hubitat?
What devices are you using? If you can include manufacturer and model #s, then it’s more likely someone can offer some information relevant to your devices.
Also AFAIK, you probably won’t be able to directly connect your devices to both an Echo hub and Hubitat at the same time. However since I don’t really use WiFi devices for home automation, I guess I can’t say for certain.
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Another option for your WiFi devices is using Echo Speaks. You can send strings to Alexa devices as if your speaking to them. So you can build rules in HE that will send the Alexa command to the device.
I do this with my shades. They have no HE integration, but I use virtual shades in HE that when changed initiate the command for the Alexa skill.
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Hubitat handles some types of WiFi devices quite well through a LAN integration. Phillips Hue devices and Lutron Caseta devices are two examples. For the Lutron integration, a Lutron Pro hub is needed; I had to replace my older hub with the pro version.
There are some community developed device drivers for some WiFi devices. However, you will need to determine if it is worth getting the devices set up in Hubitat. I have a couple of TP-Link Kasa smart plugs, but I decided to just allow Alexa to control them using either voice control or an Alexa routine.
If you do decide to leave the devices connected through Alexa, but wish to have a status indicator within Hubitat, you can do that through a virtual switch set up in Hubitat and then shared with Alexa through the Alexa skill. For example, when I tell Alexa to turn on my Kasa plug, she can also turn on the corresponding virtual switch that can now be used within Hubitat to do other things, such as indicate on a dashboard that the switch is turned on.
Likewise, you could have a sensor connected to Hubitat to turn on the virtual switch that would then be read by Alexa and used to turn on the physical device.
Hubitat has enough flexibility that there are often multiple ways of accomplishing the same objective. You just have to determine which works best for your application.
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Thanks, I think that the “virtual switch” method is what I’m going to use.
