Imagine waking up to natural light streaming into your room, all thanks to your voice commands. Connecting and controlling your smart blinds with Alexa not only offers convenience but also adds a modern touch to your home. Whether you’re looking to automate your morning routine or simply want the ease of controlling your blinds without lifting a finger, this guide will walk you through the process.

Before diving into the setup, it’s crucial to determine the local radio technology your blinds use. There are three main types :

• Remote Control Shades: Shades use RF technology to send open, close and stop commands. These are the most common type of blinds and shades. If you have one at your home, the chances are that your have these kind of shades.
• Zigbee Shades: These are more common and require a hub to connect to the internet. The hub facilitates the communication between the blinds and Alexa.
• Matter Shades: Newer on the market, Matter shades can connect directly to smart home systems without needing a separate hub.

In this guide, we’ll focus on setting up the Remote control shades and Zigbee-based blinds to work with Alexa using the Bondhome Hub to bridge RF with internet and TUYA hub with Tuya Smart Life app for Zigbee shades. The same general process can apply to other motorized blinds brands like Somfy and Lutron, but you may need specific hubs or apps associated with those brands.

Part 1: Controlling remote control shades with a Bond Bridge

What You Need

• Motorized Shades: Ensure your shades are compatible with the Bond Bridge hub.
• Bond Bridge Hub: This acts as a bridge to connect your shades with the Alexa ecosystem.
• Bond Home App: Available for both iOS and Android, this app facilitates setup and control.
• Alexa Device: You’ll need an Alexa-enabled device like an Echo Dot or Echo Show.

Step-by-Step Installation and Setup

1. Install Motorized Shades

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing your motorized shades.
• Ensure that the shades are powered and within range of the Bond Bridge hub for seamless communication.

2. Set Up the Bond Bridge Hub

• Download the Bond Home App: Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and download the Bond Home app.
• Power On the Hub: Plug in the Bond Bridge hub and connect it to your home Wi-Fi network.
• Add Your Shades to the Hub:
  • Open the Bond Home app and tap “Add Device.”
  • Select the option to add blinds or shades.
  • Follow the app’s instructions to put your shade into program mode. Typically, this involves pressing a specific button combination on the shade’s remote. When successful, the shade will move up and down to confirm pairing.

3. Test Control with the Bond Home App

• Use the Bond Home app to control your shades. Ensure they respond to open, close, and stop commands.
• If the shades do not respond, repeat the pairing process or consult the app’s troubleshooting guide.

4. Integrate Shades with Alexa

• Open the Bond Home App: Navigate to the settings menu and select “Alexa Integration.”
• Log In to Amazon Account: Follow the on-screen prompts to sign in with your Amazon account and authorize Alexa integration.
• Discover Devices in Alexa App: Open the Alexa app, go to “Devices,” and tap “Discover Devices.” Alexa should automatically detect the shades added via the Bond Bridge hub.
• Rename the shades in the Alexa app to something intuitive, like “Living Room Shades” or “Bedroom Blinds.”

5. Test Voice Commands

• Try commands such as:
  • “Alexa, open [shade name].”
  • “Alexa, close [shade name].”
• Ensure the shades respond correctly. If not, revisit the integration steps or troubleshoot using the Bond Home app.

6. Set Schedules

You can set schedules to automate your shades:

• Using Alexa App:
  • Go to “Routines” in the Alexa app and create a schedule to control the shades based on time, sunrise, or sunset.
• Using Bond Home App:
  • The Bond Home app also allows you to create schedules based on the time of day for shade automation.

Tips for Seamless Operation

• Positioning: Place the Bond Bridge hub centrally to ensure reliable communication with your shades.
• Firmware Updates: Regularly update the Bond Bridge hub and app to access new features and improvements.
• Custom Names: Use descriptive names for your shades in the Alexa app to simplify voice commands.

Part 2: Controlling Zigbee Shades using a Tuya Zigbee hub

What You Need

1. Motorized Blinds: Make sure your motorized blinds are compatible with Zigbee or Matter protocols. These are the primary technologies that enable smart blinds to communicate with your smart home system.
2. Zigbee Hub: If your blinds use Zigbee technology, you’ll need a hub to connect them to the internet and integrate with Alexa. The hub acts as a bridge, allowing Alexa to control the blinds via voice commands. Many blinds companies provide a hub when you purchase smart blinds, but it’s important to verify if one is included.
3. Smart Life App: Available for download on both iOS and Android devices, this app is essential for setting up and managing your smart blinds. It will help you link the blinds to the hub and connect with Alexa.
4. Alexa Device: Make sure you have an Alexa-enabled device such as the Echo Dot, Echo Show, or any other Alexa-compatible product.

Step-by-Step Installation and Setup

1. Install Motorized Blinds
   • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing your motorized blinds. Ensure they are within the range of the Zigbee hub for optimal communication.
   • Make sure all components are properly connected and secured to ensure reliable operation.
2. Set Up the Zigbee Hub
   • Plug in your Zigbee hub and connect it to your home Wi-Fi network.
   • Place the hub in a central location where it can communicate with the blinds and other smart devices in your home. This will prevent signal drops and ensure seamless control.
   • If you don’t have a Zigbee hub, you can easily order one by contacting us.
3. Download and Configure the Smart Life App
   • Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and download the Smart Life app.
   • Open the app and create an account if you haven’t already.
   • Once logged in, follow the app’s prompts to add your motorized blinds. Make sure your blinds are powered on and within range of the Zigbee hub.
   • During the setup, the app will guide you through pairing the blinds with the hub.
   • Put your blinds in the pairing mode by pressing a certain combination of the buttons on the blinds. [Ask your installed about the button press combination]. Once the blinds motor goes in pairing mode , it will move up and down for confirmation. FInish the pairing by following the instructions on the app.
   • Test whether you can control the blinds from the controls within your app without the remote control. If it works fine , then move to the next step.
4. Integrate Your Blinds with Alexa
   • In the Smart Life app, navigate to “Home,” then select “Me,” followed by “Third-party Voice Services.”
   • Choose “Alexa” and sign in with your Amazon account.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to link your blinds with Alexa, allowing the hub to communicate with your Alexa-enabled devices.
   • Alexa will detect the blinds as a new smart device. You can rename them to something easily recognizable, like “Living Room Blinds” or “Bedroom Shades.”
5. Test Your Voice Commands
   • Once setup is complete, test the integration by giving Alexa a command, such as, “Alexa, open the living room blinds.”
   • If the blinds respond correctly, your setup is successful. If not, recheck the Smart Life app to ensure the integration was completed and that the blinds are recognized.

Connecting Other Brands (Somfy and Lutron)

• Somfy Blinds: These use a different type of hub called TaHoma for connectivity. The TaHoma hub allows integration with Alexa via the Somfy app. The process involves linking the TaHoma hub to your Wi-Fi network, adding your Somfy blinds, and connecting the system to Alexa.
• Lutron Shades: Lutron uses a proprietary Lutron Caseta or RA2 Select Hub to connect to Alexa. After setting up the hub and pairing it with the Lutron app, you can integrate with Alexa through the “Lutron Caseta and RA2 Select” skill in the Alexa app.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Blinds Not Responding: Make sure the blinds are powered on and within the Zigbee hub’s range. Check the app to see if the blinds are properly connected.
• Alexa Can’t Find Your Blinds: Double-check the Smart Life app to confirm the blinds are linked to the hub. Make sure the Alexa integration step was completed successfully.
• Voice Commands Don’t Work Consistently: Try moving the Zigbee hub to a more central location or reducing potential interference from other electronic devices.

Need Help?

If you encounter any difficulties during the setup process, don’t hesitate to contact us. We offer comprehensive support for installation, troubleshooting, and getting the most out of your smart home system.

• Order a Zigbee Hub: Call or email us to place your order.
• Support: For questions or technical assistance, reach out to us directly.

Embrace the Convenience of Alexa-Controlled Blinds

Upgrade your living space with the ease and comfort of Alexa-controlled blinds. Whether automating daily routines or simply enjoying the luxury of smart living, the future is just a voice command away.