Controlling one device using Alexa and Siri at the same time?

Question

Can I have one device set up with HomeKit and Alexa at the same time e.g. a motion sensor, or a smart plug?

I must stress I am asking whether it is possible to set up the device with the two services at the same time.

Answer 1

Yes, it's perfectly possible.

As and example, I have a set of IKEA Tradfri lights that are controlled by Alexa and Google Assistant at the same time. If I had an Apple device I could add Homekit support at well.

The limiting factor is which of the systems the device manufacturer chooses to support.

Answer 2

Yes, providing the device provides it's own control infrastructure. The model is (roughly):

• Device connects to a gateway
• Gateway exposes an API which supports a variety of 3rd party systems
• Control messages are sent from each system which are unaware of the other systems

The exception to this model might be where a device uses one of your system hubs to provide it's connectivity. In this case, you're relying on one integrator exposing locally connected devices to a competitor.

You can refer to this question for a general idea of how devices connect together. An endpoint may have a direct network connection (for example if it has WiFi), in which case many services can establish a connection. If the endpoint only uses bluetooth or ZigBee then some sort of hub is needed. Of course, this hub can be a device you provide if the protocols are open.