Garage door control via Internet for Genie controller

[130s]

Same as https://github.com/130s/30y-130s_life/issues/46 (for LifeMaster), I want to be able to operate our Genie garage door controller via the Internet.

Can be done via ring.com ideally, but if not I can rely on home automation framework.

[130s]

Multiple compatibility checks are needed for Internet-based garage opener (in my case, only "C) garage door controller" is locked in to Genie already. Others can be decided based on the result):

• A) your home automation system(s) <--> B) your garage door Internet-based remote
  • [ ] ring.com
  • [ ] Home Assistant
  • [ ] openHAB
• [ ] B) your garage door Internet-based remote <--> C) garage door controller

If the one ring.com supports, Chamberlain® Smart Garage® Control (ring.com), is compatible with our Genie model (B-C link above), then I'll go for it, as link A-B is certified by ring.

In the previous case https://github.com/130s/30y-130s_life/issues/46#issuecomment-244519190 B was GD00Z-4, which seems to support some Genie devices (but I need to find the model of ours) and C was LiftMaster.

[130s]

• B) your garage door Internet-based remote <--> C) garage door controller

• This page on support.chamberlaingroup.com shows a bunch of Genie products. So I'm hopeful. Still need to find our model(s).

[130s]

I need to find the model of ours)

This page on support.chamberlaingroup.com shows a bunch of Genie products. So I'm hopeful. Still need to find our model(s).

Yup, we need to know the model of Genie device.

[130s]

A) your home automation system(s) <--> B) your garage door Internet-based remote

Still unclear.

https://www.twice.com/product/product-spotlight/smart-home/the-genie-company-announces-garage-door-integration-for-brilliant-smart-home-system says the following, but I don't want to add yet another framework unless I absolutely need to.

Brilliant currently works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, Sonos, Ring, Schlage, Honeywell, Ecobee, Philips Hue, LIFX, Wemo, ButterflyMX, and more, with new integrations added on a monthly basis. Brilliant also supports hubs such as Samsung SmartThings for connecting Z-Wave or Zigbee products and can connect directly to bridge products from Philips Hue and others.

Worth asking on ring.com community.

[130s]

A) your home automation system(s) <--> B) your garage door Internet-based remote

• If "A" == ring.com:
  • https://www.myq.com/works-with-myq lists ring.com. We should stick to it if we choose to hook garage opener to ring.com.
    • MyQ is manufacturer-independent architecture IINM that connects garage opener and wireless technology, particularly Wifip.
    • Back in 2016 https://github.com/130s/30y-130s_life/issues/92#issuecomment-183541488 I disliked MyQ for:
      • its overkilling technology usage (Wifi for smarthome isn't smart when more suited technologies e.g. z-wave are available)
    • its dedicated, unintegratable GUI requirement. But maybe ring.com integrates UI over the years?
• If "A" == something else:
  • Genie made its own wifi connect architechture "Aladdin Connect".
    • There's Home Assistant binding to it https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/aladdin_connect/
    • Google Home is listed up https://www.geniecompany.com/aladdin-connect-smart-home-partners
  • Someone said Garadget https://community.home-assistant.io/t/best-garage-door-controller/9801/2 but I see less usecases so I worry about its maintenance status.

[130s]

TLDR; Going with Z-Wave, GoControl GD00Z-8.

Choice for garage controller remote hook

Leaning toward either Aladdin Connect or MyQ.

• Aladdin Connect`: Very few users according to https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/aladdin_connect/ (210 installations as of today. Not even 1%). There's an issue recently found and fixed https://github.com/home-assistant/core/issues/65665. It's good many users were paying attention in short period of time.
• MyQ: 4.4% today, which is beyond 4K installations?
  • I disliked MyQ in 2016 as I mentioned https://github.com/130s/hut_10sqft/issues/560#issuecomment-933192465, but time passed and 1) now I'm liking whatever that has broader user base, which MyQ seems to qualify esp. with their likely-successful manufacturer-agnostic approach, 2) HoA provides integrated UI so MyQ providing its own UI shouldn't matter to me.
  • Is MyQ compatible with our Genie garage controller?
    • The garage guy https://github.com/130s/30y-130s_life/issues/1174 said they'd come and install MyQ if we like.
    • https://www.myq.com/app/myq-compatibility shows yes for Genie -> ScrewDrive series IC.

      You have a myQ-compatible garage door opener.* All you need is the myQ Smart Garage Control to start enjoying all that myQ has to offer.

• Z-Wave options (same as when I DIYed with LiftMaster https://github.com/130s/30y-130s_life/issues/46)
  • GoControl GD00Z-8 (amazon.com)
    • Is this an upgrade product from GD00Z-4, the one I used 7 years ago (blogspot.com)?
  • I haven't found HoA entity specific for GD00Z- though, some ppl said they were able to show the monitoring and controll I/F on Lovelace, e.g. community.home-assistant.io#304229.

What does garage controller need in order to connect to the remote hook

• Aladdin
  • So-called "Aladdin Connect Retrofit Kit" seems to be the one that connects to a garage controller and wifi. So this should be what I'm looking for.
  • Genie product model ID: CM7600IC/A (according to the pics). AFAIURC, it's released in 1995 https://github.com/130s/30y-130s_life/issues/1017#issuecomment-1144459064 so it should be compatible with Retrofit Kit according to compatibility doc (geniecompany.com)?
• MyQ: TBD
• GD00Z-8: I assume it's similar to what I did the last time with GD00Z-4 + 2gig + alarm.com.

[130s]

Done https://github.com/130s/30y-130s_life/issues/1021#issuecomment-1160823468

[130s]

Just for the record, I think I forgot to write why I went with Z-Wave, DIY options while back then I was leaning toward proprietary options. I guess initially I was interested in hooking the garage monitoring to Ring.com so that was a limiting factor hence proprietary options, but over months I found Home Assistant was much more capable than I thought so I switched my policy to minimize the reliance on ring.com and rely on HASS for everything in the household automation stuff.