How tecla-e Enhances Logitech Harmony For Quadriplegic Users

In a previous blog, we highlighted the three ways that tecla-e improved the experience of the voice assistant Amazon Alexa for quadriplegic users. They were:

tecla-e users can access Alexa anywhere they go through a fully switch-accessible app
tecla-e users can link their Amazon account to the Tecla app and load customized preferences and commands to create their own switch-accessible on-screen remote
tecla-e users can have a choice between controlling their smart devices through switch-accessible buttons or through voice commands using the Tecla app

Like Amazon Alexa, Logitech Harmony is a powerful tool for increasing the independence of users with physical disabilities by making existing technologies accessible via assistive switches and with the help of tecla-e. In fact, Alexa and Harmony are compatible, which means you can control all the devices that you love hands-free simply with your voice.

What is Harmony?

The Harmony Hub and Harmony app can turn any smartphone or tablet into a universal remote. The device eliminates the need for hand-held remotes and allows anyone in your home to control the Apple TV, lights, thermostat, and more simply by downloading the Harmony app. Individuals with limited upper body mobility are using Harmony to control their home entertainment and environmental control devices, however, this requires gestures and other advanced accessibility features found in iOS or Android.

Activities

Dinnertime harmony activity

An Activity allows you to combine the actions and features of multiple devices to trigger them all at once. Use personalized Activities to control multiple devices at the same time as if they were all one system. For example, you can create a "Dinner Time" activity that could dim your lights, turn on your favourite jazz playlist, and turn off your Apple TV. You can even set a schedule to have this Activity trigger every day at 7:00pm, or whenever you feel like it through the Harmony app, Alexa, tecla-e, or the Tecla app.

Harmony + tecla-e

tecla app screenshot

Here are the four ways that tecla-e and Harmony work together:

1. Assign an Activity to your assistive switch to trigger a smart home device without opening your smartphone

You can assign a switch connected to the tecla-e (or the built-in one) to trigger Harmony Activities via IFTTT. Just press your switch and trigger your favourite Activity. This would allow for simple control of a TV, radio, or appliances like fans, AC units, AV receivers or heaters that have an infrared remote.

2. Launch Activities with Amazon Alexa through voice commands

Amazon Alexa's voice service is integrated into the Tecla app, so users can create a button that will let Alexa know you're ready to say a command. This way, you’ll be able to say any command you could say to the Amazon Echo hardware while using the Tecla app.

3. Use Amazon Alexa to trigger Activities without using your voice

With the Tecla app, you can create buttons with labeled commands that you would normally say to Alexa. This is especially helpful for individuals with speech impairments, who cannot access Alexa's voice service in its current functionality. It's also useful for those of us who have a hard time remembering Alexa commands or just want to control our devices quietly. With this, you can create a remote control on the Tecla app for your smart TV with commands such as, “Alexa, turn on the TV,” “Alexa, channel up,” or “Alexa, turn up the volume.”

4. Create Harmony Activity buttons on the Tecla App

In the Tecla app, you can also create buttons that connect to Harmony activities directly or through IFTTT. Simply press the button and watch the Activity come to life. You can learn how to create buttons for Activities on our support page.