alexa_voice_control

Package that allows communication between ROS and Alexa, implementing two different communication channels:

User → ROS: through a custom Alexa Conversation Skill that communicates with a local server in azure functions.
ROS → User: using unsolicited Text-To-Speech of Node-RED block that use Alexa-API

Requirements

Ubuntu 20.04+
Python 3.8+
ROS Noetic+
ROS bridge
Node-RED
ngrok

Installation

Install miniconda and create a custom environment:

  conda create -n alexa_env python=3.10
  conda activate alexa_env

Launch setup.py for installing the requirements:
```
  python setup.py
```

Node-RED

Install Node.js:

  curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_16.x -o /tmp/nodesource_setup.sh
  sudo bash /tmp/nodesource_setup.sh
  sudo apt install nodejs

To install Node-RED you can use the npm command that comes with node.js:

  sudo apt install npm
  sudo npm install -g --unsafe-perm node-red

In Node-RED → manage palet → install:

  node-red-contrib-alexa-remote2-applestrudel
  node-red-contrib-ros

or in bash:

  npm install node-red-contrib-ros
  npm install node-red-contrib-alexa-remote2-applestrudel

ROS Bridge

Install rosbridge suite:

  sudo apt-get install ros-noetic-rosbridge-server

Ngrok

Install Ngrok

  sudo apt update
  sudo apt install snapd
  sudo snap install ngrok

Add your Token in the ngrok.yml file in the ngrok folder

Configuration Node-RED contrib ROS

in sub/pub node → ROS SERVER → add new ros server:
```
  url: ws://localhost:9091/
  Topic: name_topic
```

Configuration Node-RED contrib Alexa Remote 2

in Alexa initialize node:

Account → Add new Alexa Account:

  Name: Nome
  Auth Method: Proxy
  This IP: IP_ADDRESS
  Port : 3456
  File Path : AuthFile
  
  Service Host: alexa.amazon.it
  Page:amazon.it
  Language: it-IT

Option → initialize

Launch Instructions

Activate the conda environment:
```
  conda activate alexa_env
```

Configure Alexa Skill End-Point

Launch ngrok:
```
  ngrok http 5000
```

Change skill end-point with the ngrok one:

  https://2c92-79-42-218-6.ngrok-free.app

Change the Endpoint Sub-domain:

  My development endpoint is a sub-domain of a domain that has a wildcard certificate from a certificate authority

Launch Skill Back-End

Launch the ROS bridge:

  roslaunch alexa_voice_control skill_backend.launch

davideferrari95/alexa_voice_control