Alexa automation tip: camera view auto on/off based on proximity to garage (or any location)

[jebinc]

Hello,

Just wanted to share one trick (not sure if someone already mentioned this, I did not find it):

Use Case:
When I reach my garage (or any particular location), I want the main display to switch to a Camera view. When I leave this location I want to turn the camera off.

Execution:
You can set up a routine in the Alexa app (on the phone) to execute particular actions (like "turn on camera") based on location (either arrival or departure). You need to select target "YOUR NAME Rivian Electric Adventure Vehicle"

Works well for me, now when I get to my home Rivian turn on the camera view, but when I leave - it turns it off.

I found a few other commands like "switch to navigation screen", etc.). Not a fan of Alexa, but it seems helpful sometimes.

Great idea! The only thing I don't like is having to allow Alexa (Amazon) "Always" tracking your location, "Precisely".... Privacy and phone battery drain issues...

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[sac602]

?

 

[tren01t]

I wanted to automate opening and closing the garage door using this technique, but it looks like your location can only be limited to 499 feet from your house. That seems too far away to trigger both. I was hoping to replicate what my Tesla does. Not sure if the voice command even exists to trigger it anyway,

I believe you can use google assistant dependent your setup. I am running smartthings and IFTTT and have multiple assistants, Google, Alexa, and LINKS. The geofencing for google and LINKS will have unlimited range. I believe Alexa is limited as you have indicated. For example, by voice command i was able to open/close a garage door, turn on lights, etc. in Kentucky from California, etc.
Hope this helps

 

[rkalbiar]

I could not get this to work on my iphone... But still thanks for letting me know about the voice command! Still a nice tip!

 

[SoCal Rob]

Hello,

Just wanted to share one trick (not sure if someone already mentioned this, I did not find it):

Use Case:
When I reach my garage (or any particular location), I want the main display to switch to a Camera view. When I leave this location I want to turn the camera off.

Execution:
You can set up a routine in the Alexa app (on the phone) to execute particular actions (like "turn on camera") based on location (either arrival or departure). You need to select target "YOUR NAME Rivian Electric Adventure Vehicle"

Works well for me, now when I get to my home Rivian turn on the camera view, but when I leave - it turns it off.

I found a few other commands like "switch to navigation screen", etc.). Not a fan of Alexa, but it seems helpful sometimes.

@shap Thank you very much for this tip! It works perfectly for me and it’s a really nice improvement.

 

[Myricky]

Hello,

Just wanted to share one trick (not sure if someone already mentioned this, I did not find it):

Use Case:
When I reach my garage (or any particular location), I want the main display to switch to a Camera view. When I leave this location I want to turn the camera off.

Execution:
You can set up a routine in the Alexa app (on the phone) to execute particular actions (like "turn on camera") based on location (either arrival or departure). You need to select target "YOUR NAME Rivian Electric Adventure Vehicle"

Works well for me, now when I get to my home Rivian turn on the camera view, but when I leave - it turns it off.

I found a few other commands like "switch to navigation screen", etc.). Not a fan of Alexa, but it seems helpful sometimes.

Thanks for this idea and implementation. Definitely going to try this, if only alexa could fold the mirrors.

I realize everybody likes to bash alexa on the rivian, and certainly the car features accessed by alexa need be improved, but if you have alexa devices at home, like echo dots, etc, it is nice to be able to access them and their associated devices in your home when you are out driving in your truck. I guess you can do this with the alexa app on your phone, but I never do, as there are other phone apps I use instead. However, Just being in the truck and controlling stuff at home with Alexa is handy.

 

[LL75]

They should have option for the next update if you are pulling the car in to parking lot, option for camera to be automatically switch to on. But for now, this is great.

 

[iforbes]

Can someone (smarter than me) provide a step-by-step for getting this to work with iOS and Alexa? Like without leaving out (seemingly) obvious stuff? Thanks!

 

[Myricky]

Can someone (smarter than me) provide a step-by-step for getting this to work with iOS and Alexa? Like without leaving out (seemingly) obvious stuff? Thanks!

1. First step is check whether you can see your truck as a device in Alexa app on your phone. You must have your truck as a device in alexa.
2. Follow the directions for the routine but for the action you will enter it is a "custom" action and just type "turn on camera" ... Alexa will add "Alexa" in front of the action you type
3. Then you will see the from field and add the truck device which you confirm you have in step 1

 

[SoCal Rob]

Can someone (smarter than me) provide a step-by-step for getting this to work with iOS and Alexa? Like without leaving out (seemingly) obvious stuff? Thanks!

Probably not smarter, but give this a shot from the Alexa iOS app…

1. Tap More in lower right then Routines

2. From Routines tap the + in the circle at upper right

3. Tap the + in the circle to the right of Enter routine name, type in a name, and then tap Next in upper right

4. Tap the + in the circle to the right of When this happens then tap Location

5. Assuming you’re home, tap Current Location

6. At the top tap Arrives so it shows a blue line
under it

7. Tap Next in the upper right corner

8. Tap Save

9. Tap the + in the circle to the right of Add action

10. Tap Custom

11. Type Turn on camera then tap Next in upper right

12. Tap Choose Device near the bottom

13. Tap on the device that shows your name followed by RivianElectric Adventure Vehicle

14. Tap Save in the upper right corner

edit: clarification

 

[iforbes]

Probably not smarter, but give this a shot from the Alexa iOS app…

1. Tap More in lower right then Routines

2. From Routines tap the + in the circle at upper right

3. Tap the + in the circle to the right of Enter routine name, type in a name, and then tap Next in upper right

4. Tap the + in the circle to the right of When this happens then tap Location

5. Assuming you’re home, tap Current Location

6. At the top tap Arrives so it shows a blue line
under it

7. Tap Next in the upper right corner

8. Tap Save

9. Tap the + in the circle to the right of Add action

10. Tap Custom

11. Type Turn on camera then tap Next in upper right

12. Tap Choose Device near the bottom

13. Tap on the device that shows your name followed by RivianElectric Adventure Vehicle

14. Tap Save in the upper right corner

edit: clarification

I appreciate this! Set up so we will see if it comes on when I get home.

The disconnect for me was that I couldn’t see Rivian as a device until step 13. I was struggling to find it to start a routine.

Thanks again!

 

[SoCal Rob]

I appreciate this! Set up so we will see if it comes on when I get home.

The disconnect for me was that I couldn’t see Rivian as a device until step 13. I was struggling to find it to start a routine.

Thanks again!

It’s involved and not exactly intuitive. Please let me know if there are issues and I’ll edit the instructions.

 

[Acon]

Hello,

Just wanted to share one trick (not sure if someone already mentioned this, I did not find it):

Use Case:
When I reach my garage (or any particular location), I want the main display to switch to a Camera view. When I leave this location I want to turn the camera off.

Execution:
You can set up a routine in the Alexa app (on the phone) to execute particular actions (like "turn on camera") based on location (either arrival or departure). You need to select target "YOUR NAME Rivian Electric Adventure Vehicle"

Works well for me, now when I get to my home Rivian turn on the camera view, but when I leave - it turns it off.

I found a few other commands like "switch to navigation screen", etc.). Not a fan of Alexa, but it seems helpful sometimes.

Thank you - Thank you - Thank you!!!! This is such a fantastic feature. I am loving it!!

 

[Nine_One_Six_R1S]

do routines still work for you guys?

I had mine working fine until Today. The only thing that changed was the update to .38.

I had a routine to turn the camera on when arriving my house. It does not work anymore.

Just getting Alexa saying "Im not sure what went wrong"

I tried deleting and adding the routines but no go. Will try clearing cache on Alexa app next?

Any ideas what is going on?

 

[Khoa]

Yeah, it happend to me too. Updating to 38 breaks the "turn on camera" command. I tried talking directly to the car and also got "I don't know what went wrong" prompt too.

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