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Custom Devices

Stuart Buchanan shared this question ago

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Next question regarding Custom Devices, be it Zwave, Zigbee or Lan/Cloud. i am presuming the answer is no as it is a walled garden? but is it possible for end users to develop their own support for devices as this is something that i have been able to do within SmartThings as device types and smart applications can be authored in Groovy.

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Replies (9)

Marius ●

If you know programming and electronic basics, you could try to make your own z-wave device by using Z-uno. I'm not sure how far they have gotten with the development, but I have seen working samples.

I don't know how it will integrate wi the Zipa-products though.

http://z-uno.z-wave.me/

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Stuart Buchanan ●

thats not quite what i meant, i.e if the Zipabox does not support an existing zwave or Zigbee device, can i develop essentially my own handler by using the new device fingerprint just like i can in SmartThings. or could i say for example like i have done in SmartThings develop integration with Tado Thermostats and maybe improve the Hue integration or bring Particle Photon integration, what i am specifically asking is is there a framework (SDK) for developers or is any extensibility only external via an API?

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Adrian Van Der Heijden ●

i would love to see particle photon integration, think I have one lying around here somewhere.......

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Attila Hajdu ●

Unfortunately Zipato is locked in this purpose. There are a lot of talented people that could have made lot of useful features for Zipato, however because the GUI is cloud based, it is only Zipato, who can make such a features that you are asking for. Shame though as by now we would be on a different level I guess.

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Adrian Van Der Heijden ●

you are right, but I guess as Zipato do not have the zipabox firmly sorted yet, they do not wish to add more complexities into the mix. Because as we know, if someone creates something, and it does not work properly, everyone then expects the parent company to fix. And there is the security Zipato pride themselves on.

But on the other hand, so many more "add-ons", for lack of a better term, could have been devised and submitted to Zipato for further development or integration, reducing their time spent on development of these products.

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Attila Hajdu ●

Well, it is definitely the amount of bugs that did slow them down in the last 3 years. For a while now no new functionality did happen or at least people were not made aware of it. I guess the next feature will surely be the IP and Cluster connection.

But on the other hand, recently I did not read so many posts about unreliability, and even more importantly I haven't read a single post about issues with Zipatile (when compared to Zipabox), which is a good thing. I'm planning to install my white version this weekend, and from there on I will also have experience with this new way of control device...

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Stuart Buchanan ●

i can understand that this approach is taken, but i have to ask the question to see how much i could leverage this platform. but i am still here on the understanding of using this to augment my existing setup, however i can only successfully do this if i have key devices pairing with the Zipabox. however my first one today of which i have 6 of them are the ST arrival/presence Sensors, they are Zigbee HA certified devices but the zipabox refuses to pair them.

There doesn't seem to be a device matrix as far as i have seen of compatible devices/brands, allthough i may have missed it. but without the presence sensor i will struggle to replace my existing reliable automation of presence for unlocking my doors etc on arrival.

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Attila Hajdu ●

There is alternative. Using tasker on android phone and via virtual meter in zipabox you can achieve automatic entry exit actions. Read here

https://community.zipato.com/topic/tasker-examples

and here https://community.zipato.com/topic/https-sensor-with-tasker

All you need is using android phones (iOS no good) and tasker for android.

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Adrian Van Der Heijden ●

if using IOS, you can always use IFTTT, coupled with a Maker Channel for Zipabox, this then trigger the virtual meter as Attila describes.

But for the presence tags, please email support. This would be a great option to have. If they operate at zigbee ha1.2 Zeljko will be able to integrate it. If worst comes to worst, just send them one and they will look into it. It would be a great feature to have.

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Ian Hammond ●

@ Stuart Buchanan - I assume you have the Zigbee module and it doesn't work with the ST presence sensor?

I have them both (unopened on my desk) and will be returning them both if I can't use the presence sensor

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Ian Hammond ●

Zipato is missing out massively by not allowing community based development. You only have to take a look over at the SmartThings community to see how fast that is progressing. Without it, SmartThings and others like Vera will fly away from Zipato... Its a shame as its a great product.

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Ian Hammond ●

At the very least, you should be able to create a custom device using existing controls - ie, a custom device using a combination of sliders and buttons to control an http based device...

So far I have tried Fibaro HC2, SmartThings, and Zipato. I think I might give Vera a try...

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Adrian Van Der Heijden ●

i dont understand why you cant do this with the Virtual Devices and using the http request puzzle block? Am i missing somthing or do want a customised screen where you can have what ever sliders and switches you want located here. If so, something like iRule or SimpleControl would be better suited to you.

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Attila Hajdu ●

Because virtual devices cannotbe linked into one device. This would allow us to create customized groupped devices into one.

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Adrian Van Der Heijden ●

sorry attila, still not sure what you mean. I'd offer help, but I think at this stage you probalbly know more about programming than I do, so I trust you.

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Attila Hajdu ●

Adrian, I have no idea about programming. But for example if I would be able to build a custom interface (like in Fibaro), I would be able to create some basic controls for my Onkyo Receiver not only one switch and one slider...it would look more as a remote...

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Adrian Van Der Heijden ●

yes, hopefully this new integration with myhomeremote will offer some expandablility here.

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Attila Hajdu ●

What a great Idea. You create lot of switches but using the app customization, you can make it look like one combined interface (like a TV remote).

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Alberto Macias ●

Custom Virtual devices would be awesome!! if we could access them through HTTP would be enough, so far the only way to go is Virtual meter.

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Don Hogle ●

I like Zipato for it's rule builder but without the option of using my phone as a presence device is a no go.... I don't want a hack for it..... I currently use Smart Things, works well but have to rely on 3rd party for good rule builder (smartrullesapp) which broke for a month or so and couldn't do rules so I bought a Zipato..... Never really got to put it through all it's paces but this feature would be very necessary....

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Alberto Macias ●

Don,

What do you mean with "using your phone as presence device"? What do are you looking to achieve?

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Don Hogle ●

When I leave my house alarm arms and when I arrive Disarm... basically rules based on if I'm home or not and that info being identified by my phone being present or not.

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Alberto Macias ●

You can achieve that with Zipato using 3rd party apps, I have found life 360 together with IFTTT is the best solution. See post below;

https://community.zipato.com/topic/geofencing

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Don Hogle ●

Thank you, but I would prefer the feature to be baked in... Usually when tying so many 3rd party solutions together you are to the mercy that they all will continue to work together and properly through updates etc. This is why I want to leave smart things, I have to reply on 3 rd party for rule building.... it broke do to authentication with ST update and I had no rule editing for a month I do appreciate the information on a workaround solution!

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Alberto Macias ●

I have heard that for example, Vera geofencing is not very good, life 360 + IFTTT works 98% of the times and never had a problem while upgrading apps, you should try at least...

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