TheAmazon Echois useful to have around the home.
Good news though, it’s possible for you to make a fully-functional one using a Raspberry Pi.
Update:This method is a little easier and gets you a better final product.
Were leaving this guide up since it uses Amazons official repositories, but the system works much better.
The one thing it cant do is access music services like Amazon Prime, Spotify, or Pandora.
Otherwise, its an Echo with all the bells and whistles of Alexa, Amazons virtual assistant.
This includes the likes of theBatman choose your own adventure gameor adatabase of cat facts.
Perhaps on the more useful end, it includes the recently announced integrations with third-party to-do apps likeTodoistandAny.do.
This project merely installs a set of programs that enable your Raspberry Pi to function like an Echo.
This means you might turn it into a multitasking machine.
If you havent installed Raspbian before,our guide covers everything you should probably know.
We, however, tested this on the Raspberry Pi 2 and 3.
Youll build your DIY Echo by installing theAmazon Alexa Skills Kitonto the Raspberry Pi.
For this guide, well be usingAmazons official code.
This is pretty straightforward:
Log into yourAmazon Developer Account.
hit the Alexa Tab.
Click Register a Product bang out > gadget.
Name your unit key in and display name (We chose Raspberry Pi for both).
On the Security Profile screen, slick Create new profile.
Under the General tab, next to Security Profile Name name your profile.
Do the same for the description.
tap the Web options tab, then tap the Edit button next to the profile dropdown.
Next to Allowed Origins, click, Add Another and throw in in:https://localhost:3000.
The equipment Details tab is next.
It doesnt matter much what you enter here.
Finally, you’re free to choose to add in Amazon Music here.
This doesnotwork on the Pi powered machine, so leave it checked as No.
Now you have an Amazon Developer Account and youve created a profile for your Pi-powered Echo.
Its time to head over to the Raspberry Pi and get Alexa working.
Step Two: Clone and Install Alexa
Plug everything into your Pi and boot it up.
launch the Terminal program on the Raspberry Pi and throw in:cd Desktopand press Enter.
pop in ingit clone https://github.com/alexa/alexa-avs-sample-app.gitand press Enter.
Once thats complete, bang out in:cd ~/Desktop/alexa-avs-sample-appand press Enter.
pop in innano automated_install.shand press Enter.
This pulls up your text editor.
Use the arrow keys to navigate to each entry.
Enter each detail after the=sign as noted in the image above.
When youre done, tap CTRL+X to save and exit.
Youre now back at the command line.
Its time to trigger the install script.
jot down incd ~/Desktop/alexa-avs-sample-appand press Enter.
When prompted, press Y for the different questions, and answer as you see fit for the rest.
This will configure your Pi and install some extra software.
This can take up to 30 minutes, so just let it do its thing.
Once that finishes, its time to start the Alexa service.
Youll create a new Terminal window for each of the following steps.
Dont close any windows!
The first one youll start is the Alexa Web Service:
bang out incd ~/Desktop/alexa-avs-sample-app/samplesand press Enter.
punch in incd companionService && npm startand press Enter.
This starts the companion service and opens up a port to communicate with Amazon.
Leave this window open.
In your new Terminal window punch in incd ~/Desktop/alexa-avs-sample-app/samplesand press Enter.
bang out incd javaclient && mvn exec:execand press Enter.
A window will pop up asking you to authenticate your equipment.
This opens up a net internet ride window.
A second pop-up will appear in the Java app asking you to click Ok. Donotclick this yet.
Log into your Amazon account in the internet tool.
Youll see an authentication screen for your gear.
Your web app will now display rig tokens ready.
it’s possible for you to now smack the Ok pop-up in the Java app.
Now, your Raspberry Pi has the necessary tokens to communicate with Amazons server.
Leave this Terminal window open.
Here, youll start the wake word engine.
This makes it so you could say Alexa to make your Raspberry Pi start listening to you.
You have two options for wake word software,SensoryandKITT.AI.
Go ahead and try it out by saying Alexa.
You should hear a beep indicating that its listening.
When you hear that beep, ask a question like, Whats the weather?
or Whats the score in the Dodgers game?
From the command line, throw in inalsamixerand press Enter.
Tap F6 to select a different USB unit.
Use the arrow keys to select your microphone.
Use the arrow keys to increase the capture volume.
When youre happy with the volume, tap ESC to exit.
pop in insudo alsactl storeand press Enter to make the prefs permanent.
you’re able to also change the default volume here if you’re gonna wanna.
you might addsimilar functionality with AirPlay.
This installs different software youll need.
Press Y when prompted and wait for everything to download and install.
key in ingit clone https://github.com/njh/perl-net-sdp.gitand press Enter.
This is required for the newest version of AirPlays software.
The next few commands build and install this software.
key in incd perl-net-sdpand press Enter.
bang out inperl Build.PLand press Enter.
bang out insudo ./Buildand press Enter.
punch in insudo ./Build testand press Enter.
key in insudo ./Build installand press Enter.
jot down inCD ..and press Enter.
Now youll grab shairport, the DIY Airport software.
pop in ingit clone https://github.com/hendrikw82/shairport.gitand press Enter.
bang out incd shairportand press Enter.
punch in inmakeand press Enter.
key in in./shairport.pl -a AlexaPiand press Enter.
Now that your Echo is up and running, go ahead and start playing around with it.
