Change Arlo modes with minimote?

[wpascarelli]

I have been trying to program my Aeon Minimote and I find the Button Controller smartapp to be a bit limited. It only gives me options for Lights, Locks, Sonos, Sirens, or I can set a Mode. I have other smartthings devices that do not fall into these categories, for example, I have Arlo cameras that I have integrated with Smartthings. I would like to be able to press a button on the minimote and have it disarm the cameras or switch to a different Arlo mode. I have tried several different ways and cant seem to get something like this to be a possibility. Anyone have any ideas?

[JDRoberts]

@wpascarelli

I have been trying to program my Aeon Minimote and I find the Button Controller smartapp to be a bit limited. It only gives me options for Lights, Locks, Sonos, Sirens, or I can set a Mode. I have other smartthings devices that do not fall into these categories, for example, I have Arlo cameras that I have integrated with Smartthings. I would like to be able to press a button on the minimote and have it disarm the cameras or switch to a different Arlo mode. I have tried several different ways and cant seem to get something like this to be a possibility. Anyone have any ideas?

if a routine can do what you want, you can trigger the routine with a button press.

https://support.smartthings.com/hc/en-us/articles/205380034-Routines

Use the “additional settings” towards the end of the setup wizard for adding a new routine, select “automatically perform” and then “button is pushed.”

Alternatively, With Core, you’ll be able to do pretty much anything SmartThings can do. It’s just that the set pup is more complicated, although there are many community members who will be glad to help you with that.

FAQ: What is WebCoRE? (And what was CoRE?)

CoRE (now WebCore) is a very powerful community – created rules engine for SmartThings. It allows you to set up stacked conditionals like “If A then B but only while C and not if D.” Setting it up can be quite complex, but there are many community members who will be glad to help you. For example, here is a piston that one member created to notify him if the dog had already been fed twice that day and he picked up the dog bowl for a third time. He needed this because he has a large family and people didn’t always remember whose turn it was to feed the dog. [image] The original version of CoRE Has now been replaced by a new version, WebCoRE, which moves the data entry to a web interface. This allows for flexibility and an architecture that requires more memory than is av…

[wpascarelli]

Thanks guys. I know how to get the button to change a scene or routine, but I also cannot figure out how to make a scene or routine that disarms the cameras. I will have to check out this CORE deal when I get some more time. Thanks.

[JDRoberts]

I’ve changed the topic title in the hopes of attracting comments from people who have the Arlo.

[greg]

I’m new to Arlo, thanks to the recent deal @JDRoberts posted for costco members. But I’ll give this a shot.

If you just want to disarm/arm the ability for the camera to record (not necessarily change an Arlo Mode) you can have your routine triggered by the minimote turn on/off the Arlo through the exposed switch capability the camera has. Just remember to turn it back on later.

If you are looking for actual Arlo Mode changes I would suggest IFTTT - this is what I’ve done with mine. I typically leave Arlo in Armed mode. However, I’ve adjusted the camera position and the motion sensitivity for my needs. As you know, this means anytime it sees anything it records a 10 second video to Arlo servers and sends me a notification. There are times when I know people will be in and out repeatedly and/or heavy wind will cause unnecessary events for Arlo. So I’ve set up a virtual switch in ST that I use through IFTTT to arm/disarm Arlo. As best I can tell you can only ARM/DISARM. You can’t switch to a different custom Arlo mode.

So I disarm with this virtual switch - either via the mobile app or through Alexa. I have regular routines like Goodbye - that will auto rearm the Arlos if I happen to forget. The good thing about Arlo is that it doesn’t seem to need to be in “smart things” mode to trigger recordings through ST.

I have custom SHM Arlo recordings that only happen if I’m in certain ST modes.

[paulmike3 (Not actually Dexter)]

@greg

So I’ve set up a virtual switch in ST that I use through IFTTT to arm/disarm Arlo.

I do this as well, and have IFTTT send me a notification to confirm the operation (so I know the arm/disarm happens). Takes about 2-3 seconds normally to arm/disarm from the virtual switch via IFTTT.

You can then use the minimote to turn the virtual switch on/off.

[greg]

@paulmike3

I do this as well, and have IFTTT send me a notification to confirm the operation (so I know the arm/disarm happens).

Another good option for this is Big Talker - which is what I use. Since I have goodbye/goodnight routines correct the switch state if I would forget, I use big talker to confirm the change when I tell alexa to turn the cameras on/off.

Bonus tip - use Echosistant to use a password to turn the switch on/off.
Pro tip - set Echosistant to only require the password when in certain modes. This way, I don’t care if guests hear me turn the cameras off in home mode (no password required) However, a password is required in Guest, Away, etc modes when I’m not home. Since I’m the only one with the password, it’s good to go!

[wpascarelli]

Well I have followed all the steps and got CORE up and running, however I find it very difficult and complex to use for my simple applications. I was able to create one basic piston, to unlock a door when my presence is detected, however I cant figure out how to do much else it all seems much more complicated than just using smartthings and the smartapps and ifttt. I do not have a coding background. Maybe in the future if CORE could adapt a more simple to use interface it would be able to be used by more people.