Siri, open the garage
Hardware
home automation
SHOW HN2014
129points
44comments
#207of 2,272 in 2014
Top 10%of 2014 by points
How HN took it
MixedNo clear lean
4 positive, 11 neutral or asking, 2 mixed, 6 critical, out of 23 comments about the project. Thread score -0.05.
Idea: 3 for, 3 againstDesign: 0 for, 1 againstExecution: 1 for, 0 againstPrivacy: 0 for, 1 againstPricing: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Clever hack around Siri's lack of an API
From 3 comments
> I then jokingly opened siri and said “Open the garage”. Siri responded with “I can’t find an app named ‘The Garage’”. Lightbulbs went off. We realized we could get around the…
hcarvalhoalves on HNBAD ASS! I see in the near future a folder named "commands," on your iPhone filled with long name apps just for automation. Are you using https or some type of SSH keys to…
quackerhacker on HNVery cool hack! I would never have thought about implementing each command ("open the garage") with a specifically named app ("the garage"). I guess it'll work until you already…
ar7hur on HN
Fun home automation project
From 2 comments
BAD ASS! I see in the near future a folder named "commands," on your iPhone filled with long name apps just for automation. Are you using https or some type of SSH keys to…
quackerhacker on HNVery cool! I use a hack to have Siri retrieve my bank balance via a SMS. This comes in handy while in the car and you want to balance your checkbook in your head.
chaser7016 on HN
Objections
Security: token auth is weak and port forwarding exposes the garage to replay attacks
From 2 comments
Thanks man! Currently it's security through obscurity... so not great. I'll make the arduino only accept requests with a token next weekend. Yeah if you take a look at the…
MIT_Hacker on HNOf course even if you require a token, it doesn't stop replay attacks.
michaelmior on HN
Hardware setup looks messy with duct tape and hanging wires
From 2 comments
That duct tape... and electrical stuff hanging off the ceiling... makes me cringe! EEs in my dad's company used to call that kind of project an "ikebana." :-)…
foobarian on HNNot just hanging from the ceiling... hanging from communication wires on the ceiling. :shudder: Still, some sins are excusable in the name of proof-of-concept. :)
vonmoltke on HN
A garage remote is cheaper and simpler than voice control
From 1 comment
I mean, garage door remotes cost $5, the battery lasts for years, and all you do is press one button. I just can't see why you would want to make a voice-activated garage door…
sliverstorm on HN
Requests
Siri should offer a proper API
From 2 comments
> I then jokingly opened siri and said “Open the garage”. Siri responded with “I can’t find an app named ‘The Garage’”. Lightbulbs went off. We realized we could get around the…
hcarvalhoalves on HNI feel like this has to come with iOS 8 for Apple to stay competitive against Google Now.
tomschlick on HN
Use an open-source or voice API such as Wit.ai or CMUSphinx
From 2 comments
Very cool hack! I would never have thought about implementing each command ("open the garage") with a specifically named app ("the garage"). I guess it'll work until you already…
ar7hur on HNThings like that are perfectly possible without any internet-connected services with open source software like CMUSphinx. And as an addition you can get better features like…
nshm on HN
Questions
Why Arduino plus Ethernet instead of Raspberry Pi plus Wi-Fi
From 1 comment
Nice hack! Could you elaborate on why arduino + ethernet shield will be a better choice than raspberry pi + wifi? I'm genuinely curious because I've been looking at both for a…
amjd on HN
What does app mean here, native or web app
From 1 comment
Very cool. But when you say "app" what exactly does that mean? Can it just be a web app that you save a shortcut to? Or is this actually a native app?
lcusack on HN
Alternatives named
SiriProxy
From 2 comments
There is SiriProxy[1] which lets you respond to arbitrary commands by proxying requests to the Siri backend. Apparently doesn't work with iOS 7 yet unfortunately. [1]…
michaelmior on HNAn example using a Raspberry Pi and SiriProxy, which actually handles more than just the "open" command from a year or so back:…
hox on HN
Cortana voice commands on Windows Phone
From 2 comments
Also to compete with Cortana on windows phone, which lets you register voice commands to run specific apps and provide it input [1]. [1]…
mattchamb on HNWindows Phone user here: we got this API for 1.5 years and Cortana just brought it to a higher level :)
sibbl on HN
Twilio and text messages for garage control
From 1 comment
I did this a few years ago using text messages and Twilio. Not quite as slick as "Siri, open the garage", but it worked!…
Ogre on HN
Wit.ai
From 1 comment
Very cool hack! I would never have thought about implementing each command ("open the garage") with a specifically named app ("the garage"). I guess it'll work until you already…
ar7hur on HN