Voice Controlled Light by Amazon Echo

Have you ever got so lazy that you don't want to even get up from your bed and turn off the light? If you have, here is a great way to control the light remotely. The good thing about this project is that you can install the smart home infrastructure in an affordable way. While many of the smart home light could take up to $100, it only costs $20 and you can utilize Amazon Echo as well as the light you already have in your room.

Before installing voice-controlled light in your home, you will need following items.

Materials Needed:

• Amazon Echo (Any kind works)
• Light
• Smart Plug (Such as https://goo.gl/rMjeKH)
• Wifi Connection

This step explains how to connect Echo Dot to Wifi through Amazon Alexa Application.

Once you connect Echo dot to its power, you will need to download Amazon Alexa application from either AppStore (Apple) or Playstore (Google). It will require you to log in to Amazon. If you have one, log in with your account. If you do not have one, you have to make one to use Echo.

Once you logged in with Amazon account, next step is to connect your phone to Echo. Since Echo does not have a way to select or type a password for wifi, it uses a phone to connect wifi. By pressing the circle button on the right for 5 seconds, Echo becomes a set-up mode. In this state, you will be able to find Echo's wifi from your phone. If you found one, connect your phone to Echo.

Then choose your home wifi and type password if you have one.

Now your Echo is connected to your home wifi!

This step explains how to connect smart plug to wifi through the application.

There are many kinds of smart plug on the market, but most of them use the same way which will be explained in this step. For the project, I used TP-LInk Smart Plug (https://goo.gl/9KyBgC.)

First, install the plug by plugging into the outlet. You'll find the button on the top blinking. In order to connect the smart plug to home wifi, you will use a Kasa smartphone application. Install "Kasa for Mobile" application in AppStore or Playstore.

Open the application, and it will ask you to log in. Create an account and log in.

You will find blank space under the device tab. In order to add the smart plug, press the plus sign on the top right.

Then, press the button on the top of the plug for 5 seconds. You will see it blinking.

Once it is blinking, find the smart plug's wifi on your smartphone and connect it. It will require you to connect to home wifi like Echo did. Choose your wifi and type the password.

Finally, name your device. I named it as "Light" so I can tell Echo "Alexa, turn off the Light".

This step explains how to connect smart plug to Echo in Alexa app and assigning it as a smart home device.

Now it's time to connect the smart plug to Alexa. Follow the steps below.

1. Open the Amazon Alexa app on your phone.

2. Open the menu in the top left corner.

3. Select "Smart Home"

4. You'll be able to find "Add Device" as seen in the picture. Select it.

5. Choose "Kasa" and log on to your account created above.

6. Done!

Now the smart plug is added to your Echo. Just tell Alexa, "Alexa, turn on the light", "Alexa, turn off the light" to control the smart plug.