Amazon has released an online guide demonstrating how to access its virtual assistant Alexa Voice Service through a Raspberry Pi and a Node.js server.
The guide was published on code-sharing site GitHub by Amit Jotwani, Amazon’s senior evangelist for Alexa.
It provides step-by-step instructions for securing the sample code, the dependencies, and the hardware users need to get the reference implementation running on their Pi.
The use of the Node.js server will allow users to get a login with Amazon authorisation code by visiting a website using their computer’s web browser.
In order to get started, users should have a Model B Raspberry Pi 21, a microUSB power cable, a microSD card, an Ethernet cable, a USB 2.0 mini microphone, a USB keyboard and mouse, an external HDMI monitor and an optional Wi-Fi wireless adapter.
The guide will show users how to install SSH on it, how to set up a VNC server and other software.
Alexa can be accessed through Amazon’s Echo device, which is a hands-free speaker that can be controlled with voice.
Amazon is offering a free Alexa application on Fire OS, Android, iOS, and desktop browsers to setup and manage Echo.
Alexa App can be used to connect services that are already in use such as Spotify, Pandora, and Google Calendar.
The Raspberry Pi is a credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse.
It was developed in England, UK by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in order to promote the teaching of basic computer science in schools and developing countries.
The third-generation device, Raspberry Pi 3, was unveiled last month. It features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options.
Last November, the Raspberry Pi Foundation introduced the Raspberry Pi Zero, a smaller version that sold for just $5.
