This guide provides step-by-step instructions for setting up AVS on a Raspberry Pi with a MATRIX Creator. It demonstrates how to access and test AVS using our Java sample app (running on a Raspberry Pi), a Node.js server, and a third-party wake word engine using MATRIX mic array. You will use the Node.js server to obtain a Login with Amazon (LWA) authorization code by visiting a website using your Raspberry Pi's web browser.
Required hardware
Before you get started, let's review what you'll need.
- Raspberry Pi 3 (Recommended) or Pi 2 Model B (Supported) - Buy on Element14 - Pi 3 or Pi 2.
- MATRIX Creator - The Raspberry Pi does not have a built-in microphone, the MATRIX Creator has an 8 mic array perfect for Alexa - Buy MATRIX Creator on Element14.
- Micro-USB power supply for Raspberry Pi - 2.5A 5V power supply recommended
- Micro SD Card (Minimum 8 GB) - You need an operating system to get started. NOOBS (New Out of the Box Software) is an easy-to-use operating system install manager for Raspberry Pi. The simplest way to get NOOBS is to buy an SD card with NOOBS pre-installed - Raspberry Pi 16GB Preloaded (NOOBS) Micro SD Card. Alternatively, you can download and install it on your SD card.
- External Speaker with 3.5mm audio cable - Buy on Amazon
- A USB Keyboard & Mouse, and an external HDMI Monitor - we also recommend having a USB keyboard and mouse as well as an HDMI monitor handy if you're unable to remote(SSH) into your Pi.
- Internet connection (Ethernet or WiFi)
- (Optional) WiFi Wireless Adapter for Pi 2 (Buy on Element14). Note: Pi 3 has built-in WiFi.
For extra credit, enable remote(SSH) into your device, eliminating the need for a monitor, keyboard and mouse - and learn how to tail logs for troubleshooting.
Let's get started
The original Alexa on a Pi project required manual download of libraries/dependencies and updating configuration files, which is prone to human error. To make the process faster and easier, we've included an install script with the project that will take care of all the heavy lifting. Not only does this reduce setup time to less than an hour on a Raspberry Pi 3, it only requires developers to adjust three variables in a single install script.
Step 1: Setting up your Pi
Configure your Raspberry Pi like in the original Alexa documentation, for this please complete steps: 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 from the original documentation: Raspberry Pi Alexa Documentation
Step 2: Override ALSA configuration
MATRIX Creator has 8 physical microphone channels and an additional virtual beam formed channel that combines the physical ones. Utilize a microphone channel by placing the following in /home/pi/.asoundrc .
pcm.!default
{
type asym
playback.pcm {
type hw
card 0
device 0
}
capture.pcm {
type file
file "/tmp/matrix_micarray_channel_0"
infile "/tmp/matrix_micarray_channel_0"
format "raw"
slave {
pcm sc
}
}
}Step 3: Install MATRIX software and reboot
echo "deb http://packages.matrix.one/matrix-creator/ ./" | sudo tee --append /etc/apt/sources.list; sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get upgrade; sudo apt-get install libzmq3-dev xc3sprog matrix-creator-openocd wiringpi cmake g++ git; sudo apt-get install matrix-creator-init matrix-creator-malos sudo reboot
Step 4: Run your web service, sample app and wake word engine
Return to the Raspberry Pi Alexa Documentation and execute Step 7 but in the last terminal select the sensory wake word engine with:
cd ~/Desktop/alexa-avs-sample-app/samples cd wakeWordAgent/src && ./wakeWordAgent -e sensory
Step 5: Talk to Alexa
You can now talk to Alexa by simply using the wake word "Alexa". Try the following:
Say "Alexa", then wait for the beep. Now say "what's the time?"
Say "Alexa", then wait for the beep. Now say "what's the weather in Seattle?"
If you prefer, you can also click on the "Listen" button, instead of using the wake word. Click the "Listen" button and wait for the audio cue before beginning to speak. It may take a second or two before you hear the audio cue.
