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

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 said:

I found a few other commands like "switch to navigation screen", etc.).

Click to expand...

Nice! I have tried a few of these ad hoc and got nowhere - happy to have a template to try.

Oh wow. Do you have to have Alexa app running on phone for this to work? Location services? Thanks

rkalbiar said:

Oh wow. Do you have to have Alexa app running on phone for this to work? Location services? Thanks

Click to expand...

Yes, I enabled location services and have an app. Said that, I will try to see if it will work without the phone - i.e. I have enabled location services on the device that is rivian car as well.

Ah geez. I cannot figure this out... Anyone care to do a walktrough for us ALexa Idiots!?

I've found Alexa automation and routines useful around the house as well. I use it to turn on and off things like my printer and my hot water recirculator. I can also remotely turn off power to the tv when my kids aren't listening to me.

There are opportunities to get creative with it, and pair it with smart outlets and smart buttons.

rkalbiar said:

Ah geez. I cannot figure this out... Anyone care to do a walktrough for us ALexa Idiots!?

Click to expand...

Here is my setup in Alexa app on Android phone:

The iOS Alexa app doesn’t recognize my Rivian as a device even though it shows up under devices.

RiFiendEnd said:

The iOS Alexa app doesn’t recognize my Rivian as a device even though it shows up under devices.

Click to expand...

Do you mean you can not select it in "From" inside the routine ?

shap said:

Do you mean you can not select it in "From" inside the routine ?

Click to expand...

Oh I just got it, I thought I could control it directly by calling it in a prompt. Yes it worked now thank you.

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 am curious to try this out, thanks for posting. However, this could potentially cause some issues if there are two drivers since the device leaving/arriving is the phone and not the car.

ie if I leave the house in the other car, the Rivians cameras then turn off, possibly while the other driver is using them.

though I suppose the opposite would be much less of a nuisance.

shap said:

Here is my setup in Alexa app on Android phone:

Click to expand...

Sweet, thanks! Will see if it works tomo.

RiFiendEnd said:

Oh I just got it, I thought I could control it directly by calling it in a prompt. Yes it worked now thank you.

Click to expand...

Sounds like you have iOS. I do not see "From" as I'm filling out the routine. Any thoughts?

csharp said:

Sounds like you have iOS. I do not see "From" as I'm filling out the routine. Any thoughts?

Click to expand...

You can select the device after filling in the activation text. I thought it was weird too.