Project Alias: an open-source trainer for smart home devices #OpenSource #PiDay #RaspberryPi @Raspberry_Pi

Project Alias is a teachable “parasite” that is designed to give users more control over their smart assistants, both when it comes to customisation and privacy. It has been developed by Bjørn Karmann in collaboration with Tore Knudsen.

Through a simple app the user can train Alias to react on a custom wake-word/sound, and once trained, Alias can take control over your home assistant by activating it for you.

When you don’t use it, Alias will make sure the assistant is paralysed and unable to listen by interrupting its microphones.

The main components used in this build are:

• 1x Raspberry Pi A+
• 1x ReSpeaker 2-Mics Pi HAT
• 2x Tiny Speaker 16mm
• 4x small wood screws (ca. 10mm)
• Micro SD card
• Wires
• JST 2.0 connector or an old Jack cable

Training Alias 

1. To train Alias use the browser on your phone and open raspberrypi.local:5050
2. Hold down the record button while saying the new name about 4-6 times. A small bar should indicate the 2 seconds recording window. Each name should fit within this timeframe.
3. Under the menu, click Train Alias and wait a few seconds for the model to learn the name. This name does not necessarily need to be a word but can be a sound and any language. So be creative! You can always reset your name on the menu. Tip: it helps to record the name from different locations in your home.

Follow the build guide on Instructables and get the source code and software instructions on GitHub