Android box running smarthings?

GGexe · October 29, 2017, 5:45pm

Hi there,

Im looking for a good android box that would allow me to run smarthings/tasker + other home automation stuff
Requirement for course would it that it should always be on 24/24

Lemme know your thoughts!

Ryan780 · October 30, 2017, 3:47pm

For SmartThings, there is only the SmartThings hub. It’s not like HomeAssistant or one of the open source software solutions out there. You gotta buy the hub.
Or you can use the Nvidia shield with SmartThings link:

However, that costs $39 and the shield is a HECK of a lot more expensive than the ST hub. So, definitely cheaper to stick with the hub.

GGexe · October 30, 2017, 7:29pm

But can it run tasker and other android apps from the google store?

paulmike3 · October 30, 2017, 7:46pm

It runs the Android TV flavor of Android, so you’ll need to research those questions further. It’s different than stock Android.

Ryan780 · October 30, 2017, 9:22pm

Maybe the better question is “Why do you want to run Tasker on your hub/SmartThings controller?” Rather than ask if the solution you’ve come up with will work, you could tell us what you’re trying to accomplish and there might be an alternative way of doing it in the SmartThings universe.

The SmartThings program resides in the cloud for the most part and not on your local hub. So, it doesn’t really matter where the app you’re trying to interface with SmartThings lives, you would still have to interact with it in the same way you would if you had a standalone hub. If you’re hell-bent on integrating SmartThings with Tasker, take a look at SharpTools.

GGexe · October 30, 2017, 11:30pm

Ok, thanks for the feedback
Basically i need a dedicated android system to run broadlink RM bridge
Its a device that controls IR (similar to harmony hub but cheaper). A cheap phone is a no no due to battery issues. I would need something that plugged in 24/7

So ultimately that “android device” would need to meet the following requirements:

Able to run tasker (+ other tasker related addons, sharptools included)
able to run smarthings
able to act as the RM bridge
on 24/7
Install other google play apps for future projects
using as a normal android device (games/movies/whatever would be a +)

Ryan780 · October 30, 2017, 11:45pm

See, your supposition that the same device needs to run SmartThings is incorrect. You do NOT need to run SmartThings on the same device as the bridge. Check this out.

github.com

beckyricha/Broadlink-RM-SmartThings-Alexa/blob/master/RM Bridge LAN Readme.md

# Read the main <a href='https://beckyricha.github.io/Broadlink-RM-SmartThings-Alexa.html'>readme</a> for this repository first!
This document contains the setup instructions for the SmartApp version that uses the SmartThings hub for local LAN control and the app "RM Bridge" as a bridge.

## Set-up your Broadlink RM:
I used the app designed for this device by its manufacturer (<a href='https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.broadlink.rmt&hl=en'>e-Control</a>, available in the play store) to set it up.  I only use this app for this setup but it can be installed and run on multiple devices if you also want to control things using the app directly.  It's not bad on its own.  My Broadlink arrived with a manual only in Chinese, but install the e-Control app and follow its instructions to add your broadlink RM device to your wifi network. Don’t worry - the app is in English.  I did not take detailed notes during this section and mine is already set up, but it was like many other apps.  You can also add devices in the Broadlink e-Control app as you wish (for instance if you also want to use that app for device control), but that does not affect anything in the RM Bridge app or in SmartThings if you are using this version of my code.  
 
## Set up your Android bridge:
Install the RM Bridge app, change any of the settings you wish and press the red circle where it says "stopped" to start the service. This code will only work while this service is running. Note the ip address and port where the bridge is operating, as well as your user name and password if you are using them.  It will be most reliable if you can set your android up with a static ip address, but that is beyond the scope of this tutorial (it can vary for different android devices but is usually accessible under wifi settings by long pressing the name of your wifi network and selecting the advanced options).  

## Add some devices to control:
For this to work, you need to record devices directly using a web portal that is designed for setting up devices with the "RM Bridge" app.  You might want to read through this whole section before trying one, as both the concept and the steps are important.  To make devices work with this app, you need to set them up in a very specific way.  

We are going to add devices here and assign them functions that happen when you turn them on and when you turn them off in smartthings. This doesn't need to actually be the power button on your remote.  Let's walk through the steps, and then I will explain some creative ways to use them afterward.  

1. From a device on the same network as your Broadlink and bridge, go to http://rm-bridge.fun2code.de/rm_manage/index.html
2. Click the "manage codes" button with the wrench icon
3. Click "create new codes"
4. Enter the local IP and port that the RM bridge app shows when you start it up, and click "load devices." (note - if you added security in the RM Bridge settings, you will need to enter your user name and password when prompted.)
5. Select the desired Broadlink device when it comes up, noting that you need to record codes to the same Broadlink that you will want to send the commands from (for instance if you have them in more than one room).  If your devices shows up in Chinese characters, you can change their names in the e-control app to make this easier.
6. Enter the device name in the box for that on the web page, with some very specific rules.  For my device handler to work, the device name is not optional as it says here.  This is what I will hopefully be able to skip with a smart app, but for this quick version you still have to learn and specifically name codes for on and off, as follows: Name of device exactly as it will appear in smartthings (can include spaces if you want), then a space (important), then either the word "on" or "off" (lower case matters for the words on and off).  Devices are not required to have both on and off commands recorded, but you do have to record separately whichever you want to work, even if both use the same button such as a toggle switch.  See the end of this section for some creative ways to use this feature.

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So, you would only need a SmartThings hub and a device to run the RM bridge. You do not need to have one that does both simultaneously.

GGexe · October 30, 2017, 11:55pm

Thanks for the clarification Ryan!
So if we were to exclude smarthings?
As you can see i just need a cheap device that will act as the bridge

Ryan780 · October 30, 2017, 11:59pm

Well, for that you would need to go over the Broadlink forum and post over there. I know nothing about those devices. I will say this…I had a few RF outlets when I first got my ST hub and after reading about the RF bridges I quickly saw that it was going to be a lot less headache to replace those devices with z-wave or zigbee devices rather than screwing around with the RF bridge. The response times are just too slow and ST won’t know if the status of the device has been changed locally by a physical switch. RF is a one-way architecture. So, let’s say that you have an RF light-switch and you turn it on manually. ST won’t know that you’ve done that so it will still show up as “off” in ST. Which means to turn it off you would first have to turn it on then turn it off. Any automation you build would require that you never use local control of the switch.

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Android box running smarthings?

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