Event handler for Skybell's motion detector not working

Developer Programs Writing SmartApps
1

I’m trying to write a Smart App that will do something when triggered from a SkyBell HD’s motion sensor, but the event handler never gets called. This code works for other motion sensors. Anyone have advice? Below is subset of code.

preferences {
section(“Turn on when motion detected:”) {
input “themotion”, “capability.motionSensor”, required: true, title: “Where?”
}
}

def installed() {
initialize()
}

def updated() {
unsubscribe()
initialize()
}
def initialize() {
subscribe(themotion, “motion.active”, motionDetectedHandler)
}

def motionDetectedHandler(evt) {
// Never called ??
}

2
  1. Verify that the event list for the device is showing changes on the motion attribute.
  2. Check live logging when motion is detected and see if your handler has any errors.
3

I don’t see any motion events from the Skybell in the IDE at My Locations + Home > Events or My Devices + Skybell > Events. The only events I see from the skybell is that it takes an image every 5 mins regardless of what’s happening.

4

I think this is likely a result of how Skybell wrote their device type handler. It is not publishing motion detection capability and motion events. I submitted a support ticket through Skybell’s website to fix this. If other Skybell owners would also like this fixed, then I suggest opening additional tickets so that Skybell gets the message that this is important.

5

Hi, Does anyone know if this is possible with Nest or Ring smart doorbells? One option is to get rid of the skybell and replace with a Nest or Ring. Thanks!

6

I have having the same issue on multiple different hubs at different locations. I have submitted a ticket to Skybell. Have you received a response?

7

I got the following reply from Skybell, but no follow-up.
== snip ==
Hello John

Thank you for contacting SkyBell Technical Support.

As we continue to improve the Skybell, we always welcome and appreciate feedback from our users and would be happy to pass this along to our development team for further review.

Thank you again,
Alex I SkyBell Technologies, Technical Support Agent

8

I got this additional reply.
== snip ==
John,

Thank you for contacting SKyBell Technical Support.

This SmartThings integration issue has been noted among other upkeep and I have composed an email to our app developers with this included. I hope to hear some updates soon and would gladly update you as well. Thank you for taking the time to let me know and for being part of the SKyBell Community!

Kindly,
Justin

9

I have a similar letter but nothing happened in the real world.

10

I opened a ticket with them last week and got this reply.

Hello,

Thank you for contacting SkyBell Technical Support.

At this time the SkyBell and SmartThings integration is inoperable due to limitations set by Samsung.
SkyBell Technologies is working to re-integrate this option with no foreseen date at this time yet the integration will not work for the time being.

If you have any other questions or require any further assistance, feel free to reply to this message or contact us via email at support@skybell.com.