You can now control your Lutron Caséta lighting system with your Amazon Echo

Lutron has partnered with Amazon to bring Alexa voice control to the Luton Caséta Wireless smart lighting system. This lets you use your Amazon Echo or other Alexa-enabled device to control your connected Lutron switches and dimmers. You can control the lights in a given room, or throughout your home.

Owners of Alexa-enabled products, such as the Echo and Echo Dot, or the Amazon Fire TV, already enjoy some control over connected home products. You can use Alexa to control some Insteon products, as well as your Nest Thermostat.

Press release:

Caséta® Wireless Smart Home Lighting Control System by Lutron Now Works with Amazon Alexa

Voice commands will turn lights on, off, or to a preset level   Coopersburg, PA (April 7, 2016) – Lighting control pioneer Lutron Electronics is proud to announce the integration of its affordably-priced Caséta Wireless system with Amazon Alexa, providing convenient voice control of home lighting. Caséta Wireless gives homeowners the ability to control lights from anywhere inside or outside the home using the free Lutron app, the Lutron Pico® remote control, and select third-party devices. And now customers with an Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, or Amazon Fire TV can control their Caséta Wireless system using their voice.   The integration of Caséta Wireless with Alexa-enabled devices is an ideal match – Alexa-enabled devices are used in the areas where people spend the majority of their time, like the family room and kitchen. Whether you're watching TV, helping the kids with homework or crafts, or enjoying a quiet dinner, all of these events are more relaxing and comfortable in the right light, which can be easily controlled by the sound of your voice or the tap of a button.    "Asking Alexa to control your lights is undeniably powerful and can simplify things like coming home with arms full of kids, pets and groceries," said Matt Swatsky, director of product management at Lutron, who also noted the product's usefulness to the aging in place community.    "For some people, this technology restores the freedoms once taken for granted – like freely moving about to alter the lights. Smart home products are not just about the wow factor anymore – they're about changing peoples' lives."    "Using your voice to control smart home devices like Lutron's Caséta Wireless system is both easy and natural with the magic of far-field voice recognition on Echo," said Charlie Kindel, Director, Amazon Alexa Smart Home. "We're excited that Lutron customers can now control their lights simply by asking Alexa."   Introduced in 2014, the reliable, affordable Caséta Wireless has helped homeowners and professionals alike overcome two common smart home lighting hurdles – compatibility with LEDs and installation challenges. Due to its unique dimmer design, a neutral wire is not required for in-wall installation - a challenge faced by people living in homes built before 1965. Not needing a neutral wire saves homeowners the cost and hassle of adding one.   And according to Swatsky, the system's powerful Pico remote, which can be mounted to a wall without wiring or affixed to a tabletop pedestal, is ideal for times when talking to Alexa just isn't possible, like when kids are sleeping or you're in the middle of an important phone call. "Lutron has worked hard to make sure all situations are covered," he said.

Joseph Keller