DataArt’s team has released the latest version of an Amazon Alexa virtual device project (version 1.1). https://github.com/devicehive/AlexaDevice/releases/tag/v1.1 . This project aims to provide the ability to bring Alexa to any Linux device including embedded systems like Raspberry Pi boards. The binary release is packed into a snap package, which is a perfect way to deliver this project.
Short instructions to run it with snap:
- You need to create your own Alexa Device on the Amazon developer portal. Follow this manual to create your own device and security profile – https://github.com/alexa/alexa-avs-sample-app/wiki/Create-Security-Profile
Add http://alexa.local:3000/authresponse to the Allowed Return URLs and http://alexa.local:3000 to the Allowed Origins. - Connect an audio device: a microphone and speakers to your device. It could be a USB headset for example.
- Install the PulseAudio snap:
sudo snap install --devmode pulseaudio
- Install the Alexa snap from the store:
sudo snap install --channel beta alexa
- Open http://alexa.local:3000 in a web browser on a local device or a device on the same network. Note: the app provides an mDNS advertisement of the local domain alexa.local. This is very helpful for using with monitorless devices.
- Fill in the device credentials that were created during step 1, click ‘log in’. Note: the voice detection threshold is a float value for adjusting voice detection. The smaller the value, the easier it is to trigger. You may need to adjust it for your mic and voice.
- Fill in your amazon credentials.
- Now you can speak with Alexa. The app uses voice activation. Say ‘Alexa’ and the phrase that you want to say to her. The app makes a beep via in speakers when it hears the ‘Alexa’ keyword and starts recording.
- Enjoy Alexa without the need to buy special hardware 🙂