What is the Robonect lawn mower Google action?
Robonect lawn mower Google action allows you to control a robotic lawn mower equipped with a Robonect module by Fabian Harder.
Because of a user request, I have enhanced the Google action to also be able to communicate with Husqvarna's/Gardena's Smart System robotic lawn mowers (i.e. the "smart" models).
This feature is currently in beta-mode, please contact me if you encounter any problems.
Why do I have to use account linking in order to use it?
Since everybody wants to control their own robotic lawn mower through their own Google device, their Robonect-URL (or Husqvarna/Gardena credentials) has to be linked to their Google User-ID. The Google action will then determine the user's Robonect-URL (or Husqvarna/Gardena credentials) to control matching its own Google User-ID.
Are there any costs for using the Robonect lawn mower Google action?
No. Both, the registration as well as the use of the Robonect lawn mower Google action are free. However, development has been quite a bit of work and support still is. I do NOT get paid by either Gardena/Husqvarna or the developers of the Robonect module, I am happy about any voluntary contributions via PayPal.
What will happen to my data?
The Robonect-URL (or Husqvarna/Gardena credentials) you enter will be stored in a database using AES encryption and will only be used for the Robonect lawn mower Google action.
Should you want to update or remove your data, just submit this form again with an updated Robonect-URL (or Husqvarna/Gardena credentials) or leave the Robonect-URL field (or Husqvarna/Gardena credential fields) empty to delete your data.
What are the requirements for using the Robonect lawn mower Google action?
For usage of the Google action with the Robonect module
- a Robonect-compatible robotic lawn mower by Husqvarna / Gardena / Flymo / McCulloch (e.g. R40Li, R70Li, AM 305, AM 310, ...)
- the Robonect module by Fabian Harder
- activated remote access for mower.online at the Robonect module (available since firmware version 1.0 beta 5) or a Robonect Interface that has been made publicly accessible through the Internet using your routers port-forwarding settings (instructions for the FRITZ!Box (in German); 1. if using DHCP make sure that the Robonect module always gets assigned the same IP address; 2. activate port forwarding from the outside (e.g. 80) to port 80 of the interal IP address of the Robonect module; 3. you should use a DynDNS service and configure it in the router if you do not have a fixed IP address from your ISP)
- a Google actions enabled device, such as Google Home or a device running Google Assistant
For usage of the Google action with the Husqvarna/Gardena Smart System
- a Husqvarna/Gardena Smart System compatible robotic lawn mower with a Husqvarna/Gardena Smart System account* (e.g. Gardena's "smart" models)
- a Google actions enabled device, such as Google Home or a device running Google Assistant
(*) How to check whether it's possible to use this Google action with the Husqvarna/Gardena Smart System lawn mower:
Is it possible to login at https://smart.gardena.com with the smart system username/password? If so, is there a location listed that contains the lawn mower?
The Google action will essentially do the same thing: login, find location, find lawn mower in location, check status or give command.
Note: Husqvarna Connect App is not the same than Gardena/Husqvarna Smart System; even though the logins are created similarly, no locations are available.
Which commands are currently supported?
For usage of the Google action with the Robonect module
- "OK Google, talk to Robonect lawn mower" or "OK Google, ask Robonect lawn mower for the status" to request the current status
- "OK Google, ask Robonect lawn mower to set the mode to auto|manual|home|end of day" to set the mode to auto|manual|home|end of day
- "OK Google, ask Robonect lawn mower to call it a day" to set the mode to end of day
- "OK Google, ask Robonect lawn mower to start mowing" to assign a job and set the mode to end of day afterwards
- "OK Google, ask Robonect lawn mower for the description" gives you this list of commands
For usage of the Google action with the Husqvarna/Gardena Smart System
For robotic lawn mowers using Husqvarana/Gardena Smart System, the Google action commands are identical to those using the Robonect-Modul, however their meaning is slightly adapted according to the Smart System's functionality.
- "OK Google, talk to Robonect lawn mower" or "OK Google, ask Robonect lawn mower for the status" to request the current status
- "OK Google, ask Robonect lawn mower to set the mode to auto|manual|home|end of day" to set the mode to auto|manual|home|end of day with: auto=according to timer settings, manual=mow for one hour, then continue according to the timer settings, home=park until further notice, end of day=park until next timer-driven start
- "OK Google, ask Robonect lawn mower to call it a day" to set the mode to 'park until next timer-driven start'
- "OK Google, ask Robonect lawn mower to start mowing" to set the mode to 'mow for one hour, then continue according to the timer settings'
- "OK Google, ask Robonect lawn mower for the description" gives you this list of commands
How to install the Google Action?
- In Google Assistant under Settings go to "Assistant Explore"
- Search for "Robonect" and click on the icon on the left
- Make sure that on the bottom "Allow Robonect Lawnmower to remember settings" is activated. To delete the connection, disallow. To newly connect, just allow again.
- Afterwards, clicking on the name of the actions on "Assistant Explore" (or alternatively by saying "Talk to Robonect Lawnmower") should lead to this connection website where the login data to robonect or Gardena smart system has to be provided.
What are the limitations for the Robonect lawn mower Google action?
- at the moment only one robotic lawn mower can be controlled by each Google action account
I am happy about any feedback. If you have feedback regarding the Google action using the Robonect module please post it in the Robonect Forum. Also, there are other ways to contact me...
If you have any Android devices, I also recommend Christoph Wagner's Robonect Android App.