HAP specification too strict for horizontal awning

Many customers of horizontal awnings complain that the logic is reversed. When the awning is extended it shows as closed and vice versa. When people talk or describe the state of the awning we say 'open' to extend and 'close' to retract. There are examples of people using it in scenes, or using Siri to ask to close all shutters and awnings, only to find the awnings fully extended the next morning after heavy rain. The overall status will also show the awnings 'Open' while they are not in use. This is all very annoying and confusing.

There doesn't seem to be a difference in language between English and French, Dutch, German, ... when describing the operation of an awning. One can quickly find videos and instructions on operating awnings when 'open' refers to extending the horizontal coverage and 'closing' refers to retracting the horizontal coverage.

Somfy (a manufacturer of motors for awnings and the Tahoma Switch = HomeKit Bridge) on their part claim that they cannot resolve this issue as they need to follow the HAP specification in order to pass HomeKit certification.

This characteristic describes the current position of accessories. This characteristic can be used with doors, windows, awnings or window coverings. For windows and doors, a value of 0 indicates that a window (or door) is fully closed while a value of 100 indicates a fully open position. For blinds/shades/awnings, a value of 0 indicates a position that permits the least light and a value of 100 indicates a position that allows most light.

-HAP specification 9.27 Current Position

This is where Somfy points to with the claim they are obliged to use value '100' when it's fully retracted (closed, reported as open in HomeKit) and '0' when it's fully extended (open, reported as closed in HomeKit).

Is this indeed a problem in the spec (i.e. should an awning's current position be determined like windows/doors?) or would Apple allow a manufacturer to interpret the spec according to what the user is expecting without loosing certification?

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Replies

What I understand is that they consider awning as the cover of a shelter, or of swimming pool. So you close it to protect the shelter or cover the pool, which means it is fully deployed.

But you could file a bug report, at least to get an explanation.

A less confusing wording would be extended and retracted.

  • Hi there,

    this problem is also present for VELUX shutter. There are considered as open when they are. That’s ok However, HomeKit sees it as a potential problem a propose to close them all the time (they are at the top shown as “open”) Since VELUX is a OI control protocol, it’s the same as Somfy.

    Apple should let Somfy adapt this feedback position depending on the device.

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