Controlling Z-Wave from the Spark Core

An alternative to the Belkin Wemo could be the Z-Wave outlet :

http://www.z-wave.com/modules/Products/?id=77&chk=f751e877194ae0c878b22059cf3c8a3a

The outlet is $50, or the Lamp Module which is similar to the Wemo is also $50.

There are a whole bunch of useful Z-Wave products :
http://www.z-wave.com/modules/Products/

I guess there would need to be a Z-Wave Shield to be able to communicate with the devices since it is not Wi-Fi.


Continuing the discussion from Controlling Belkin Wemo from Spark Core:

You could potentially find a Z-Wave module that you could wire in to a Spark Core to be able to control Z-Wave products. Alternately, you could find an internet-connected Z-Wave gateway that you could control cloud-to-cloud or cloud-to-hub. SmartThings is an example of this; once we deliver we’ll be working in compatibility with SmartThings via cloud-to-cloud communications, which would let you control Z-Wave things that work with their SmartThings hub.

Neat. If Spark will be supporting SmartThings that would be the way to go.

The downside I guess is having to buy the $100 hub.

@Rockvole, there may be another downside you should consider…that the SmartThings hub only allows control of ither Z-wave devices connected to it by using their cloud API. Somebody may prove me wrong, but I believe you have to talk to those devices across the internet and using the API they provide which may not provide a completely transparent interface.
I also wonder about latency in such a situation.
I would also be interested in contributing to a project that created a gateway between a wifi network using the sparkfun and zigbee and/or zwave devices similar to the smartthings hub or other gateways but without the imposed access methods.
If you add an arduino or raspberry pi, beaglebone etc. Then a RESTful interface could be offered.

Aside from having a large investment in Z-Wave devices why not just move communication between all home automation devices over the wifi? I am starting to look at possible ways to setup outlets and switches using the spark for wifi communications to communicate with a RPi home auto server.

Also as posted in another thread if mesh networking is an option this could work well for antenna on chip devices (depending on mesh latency I would suppose).

I was thinking the same thing Michael. But I’m wondering how it would all fit into an existing wall socket though :slight_smile:
I was thinking about starting out with a pushbutton, solid state relay and small power supply to do some tests.
I have these right now:
tracopower TMPM 04105 power supply
crydom CX240D5 relay

Here is some other hardware recommendations.

https://plus.google.com/109631064685469686606/posts/fQHbnfo9QyN

I was thinking of possibly using the spark and other components to prototype the unit, then try to use other tools to build it all into 1 board, 1 appropriately sized form factor.

Upverter.com and github.com can be used to distribute source illicit help.

@zach I know you guys have a ton to do right now around your launch date, but has there been any more thought to the SmartThings integration?

@shocku992 SmartThings integration is on our back-log; we’ll get to it in the near future, but top priority right now is making sure the core features are in place and everything’s working reliably.

@zach Of course! I understand that. I’m just glad it’s still on the list of things to do.

Hello,
what about connecting to the Spark Core this wireless module: http://dx.com/p/nrf905-433-868-915mhz-wireless-module-w-antenna-green-2-7-3-3v-222915 will it be compatible with Z-Wave?

At first glance, it doesn’t look like that RF module provides the Z-Wave protocol; I’m not familiar with the details of the protocol and how to implement it on an RF module, but it’s probably not a walk in the park.

If you want to connect the Spark Core to a Z-Wave module, Digi-Key has some options, looks like Sigma Designs has a decent selection:
http://www.digikey.com/us/en/techzone/wireless/category/Z-Wave.html

Another option you might want to consider is the Staples Connected Home hub. I’ve beel looking very closely at it because it looks like it’s a z-wave gateway for $99 and doesn’t require a monthly fee to use the app. I haven’t been able to find any info regarding the cloud services that might be available for integration.

Hi everyone! I wrote a little tutorial on how to integrate Spark Core to SmartThings. It includes code and step by step instructions.

http://thinkmakelab.com/2014/01/25/spark-core-for-iot-device-development-in-smartthings/

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juano2310, I really like your smartthings LED demo. I would like to have the Spark send data to the smartthings cloud but I am too new at this and their “documentation” is clear as mud for me. I looked at the NEST connection code and just more confused. Any chance you could put a little demo together or point me in the right direction?

Thanks! :smile:

Hi @peekay123!
Sending data to SmartThings cloud is not easy, but possible. My friend Danny wrote a tutorial on how to do so :slight_smile:
http://build.smartthings.com/blog/tutorial-creating-a-custom-rest-smartapp-endpoint/

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the reply juano2310. The tutorial you pointed me to is for smartapps. My goal is to get a smartthings Spark device to interact with the Spark Cloud directly. I have been looking at the Nest thermostat example and I am getting some ideas. If (and that’s a big if) I have any success, I will post what I’ve got.

:smile:

thanks for posting juano2130, is there a way to use the smart things app without having a smartthings hub? my device isn’t showing in the app.

EDIT: this is working now, I just need to setup a new location for Home and set that location against the device.

thanks :smiley:

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Review of Smartthings and Revolv smarthubs :

Alyte - another ambitious smart things hub :