Smart speakers like Amazon Alexa and Google Home have become an essential part of our lives. However, buying both of these speakers can be quite expensive, costing around $250 each. But, what if we told you that you could build both Alexa and Google Home together in a single smart speaker for less than $30? Sounds interesting, right?
To build your own smart speaker, you will need some basic carpentry tools, a single board computer, two speakers, a USB sound card, a power bank, and some basic electronic components. Moreover, you will need some scrap wood to make the cabinet for your smart speaker.
First, you need to visit a wood mill and buy a scrap wood bundle. You can get a bundle for less than a dollar, but if you want better quality wood, you may need to spend a few more dollars. Once you have the wood, you can cut it to the desired size and shape using a handsaw. After cutting the wood, you will need to sand it using different grits of sandpaper to make it smooth.
Next, you need to buy two speakers that will fit inside your cabinet. You can get them for around $1 and 20 cents. Once you have the speakers, you can drill two holes in the cabinet and attach the speakers to the cabinet using wood glue.
To power up your smart speaker, you will need a single board computer like Raspberry Pi Zero W. However, Raspberry Pi does not have any audio in or out port, so you cannot use a microphone or a speaker directly with it. Hence, you will need to design a circuit that connects with Raspberry Pi’s USB port and provides audio in and out functionality. You can order the PCB from PCBWay, which is a reliable PCB manufacturer that provides high-quality PCBs at an affordable price.
Once you have the circuit, you need to solder all the components and attach them to the cabinet. You also need to install Raspbian OS in Raspberry Pi and create an account in Amazon developer page to insert Alexa into the system. Similarly, you need to create a new project in Google developer page to enable the Google Assistant API.
Finally, you need to assemble all the components inside the cabinet and test your smart speaker. You can compare the sound quality of your smart speaker with the original Amazon Echo and Google Home.
Building your own smart speaker is not only economical but also gives you a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. You can take your smart speaker anywhere as it has a built-in battery, unlike Amazon Echo and Google Home, which always need a power supply.
In conclusion, creating your own smart speaker is not as difficult as it may seem. With the right tools and components, you can build your own smart speaker and enjoy the benefits of having Alexa and Google Home together in a single device.