All about Hackathon-MMXVII: Amazon’s Echo Dot

WHAT IS HACKATHON? 

Also known as a code fest or hack day is a sprint like event that lasts between a day and a week, in which all entities involved in software development participate and achieve a solution for given problem. It gives the teams flexibility to use various programming languages as well as hardware devices.

WHY ARE HACKATHONS CONDUCTED?

Hackathons prove a ground for every team member to present new ideas. It stimulates the team members to think and act out of the box. Hackathons provide a platform to integrate and boost up problem solving skills and creativity, which in day to day work routine might get stagnant. Also, it is a great way to rejuvenate innovations.

WHAT WAS SCAN-IT HACKATHON 2017 ABOUT?

Scan-IT Hackathon 2017 was conducted on 25th and 26th of May ,2017 with 12 members representing Systems+. Our objective was to add 1 or more skills to Alexa’s skill-set. These could either focus on Scan-IT’s ERP product: Phoenix, or just be utilitarian in nature. 

WHAT IS ALEXA?

Alexa is the brain behind Amazon’s echo dot, which is capable of recognizing voice commands and processing them for further operations. Alexa is capable of processing everything from simple day to day chores to computing heavy calculations. For example, “Alexa, play music”, “Alexa, add apples to my shopping list “etc.

THE APPROACH TO IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTION:

Once we started exploring about Alexa, the possibilities of developing skills were endless. The traditional way to make a skill set is by use of AWS Lambda Function. AWS lambda function is a service that allows execution of code without any use of servers. We built few skills that could send emails and messages using IFTTT: If This Then That. We also explored various possibilities with the use of Node-RED and Losant. We also wanted to try IBM’s Watson which would be interesting as there would be use of 2 AI’s, but could not due to time constraint.

RESULTS ACHIEVED: 

We built many skills using different API’s but apart from this we tried controlling computer with Alexa which was an achievement for us. We could browse into computer and ask it to pop up with any folder or application we wanted. The control could be as simple as opening a notepad and filling it with content you wish without use of keyboard. We also built an automation to Phoenix application where we could connect to VPN as well as open the application and browse through a filtered set of entries. Other skills included day to day chores of Alexa helping with shopping lists, booking cab, sending out emails, enlightening us with unknown facts and few more. But the possibilities of developing skills were limitless.

CHALLENGES WE FACED:

Amazon’s echo is a machine that is voice interactive with the user. To make smart use of it, it is very essential to make proper use of technologies which fit the puzzle perfectly. While making applications for Alexa the biggest challenge we faced was that it can’t interpret complex word commands. The voice commands given to Alexa should be crisp and clear to make the most efficient processing. The device needs constant power supply and WIFI connection, which can prove a drawback whilst travelling.

CONCLUSION: 

Hackathon made every participant in our team to come up with creative ideas. Two days of hackathon taught us about team spirit, sharing of knowledge and ideas, interaction with team members, implementation of ideas using various technologies but most of all about Alexa. Within two days of hackathon Alexa had become a part of our team. It was not just a device for us anymore, but a team member itself. Alexa introduced us to the world full of creativity and imagination where any thought could be made a reality like a magic. While designing skills for Alexa we realised that there is a lot more to the world of AI than just automation. It challenged us to think more and beyond boundaries. Last but not the least, it was altogether great and magical experience.

About Author:

Ammara Ansari is a consultant in Systems Plus Pvt. Ltd. Within Systems Plus, she actively contributes to the areas of Technology and Information Security. She can be contacted at: ammara.ansari@spluspl.com