Carrier releases Amazon Alexa skill to control Infinity Touch

Carrier, a provider of high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, has announced a new Amazon Alexa skill, allowing homeowners to verbally manage Infinity Touch control via devices like Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Amazon Tap.

The enhancement is part of the company’s on-going effort to improve customer experience in the rapidly expanding smart home category, said Carrier, which belongs to UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp.

The ability to interact with Amazon Alexa is due to the Carrier Infinity Open API and the Amazon API, which facilitate communication between the two systems. A set of rules, protocols and tools, Carrier’s API creates a secure bridge to allow cloud-to-cloud interface of home automation systems to an internet-connected Infinity system.

The Infinity Open API allows approved third party, smart home integrators to connect to the Infinity Touch online database, enabling homeowners to remotely control Infinity systems from their home automation systems.

Matthew Pine, vice president of Carrier, Residential, said the new interface marks another important step for Carrier in providing customers robust tools and systems to better manage their comfort and energy consumption.

The smart home environment is undergoing a major shift as brands like Amazon change the way homeowners think about being connected to their home and its major appliances, Pine said.

“We are confident our Infinity system customers will find this collaboration a welcome next step in matching world-class home climate control with voice-controlled smart home technology. This will provide greater control and convenience,” Pine added.