Configure Alexa Custom Skill for IoT Bed

The Custom Skill is used instead of the Home Skill because the Home skill assumes you have a OAuth service managing the IoT devices where the Custom Skill can just invoke a Lambda function with a custom intent mapping.

Intent Schema

{
  "intents": [
    {
      "intent": "SetPreset",
      "slots": [
        {
          "name": "Preset",
          "type": "LIST_OF_PRESETS"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "intent": "SetMassage",
      "slots": [
        {
          "name": "State",
          "type": "LIST_OF_STATES"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

LIST_OF_PRESETS custom slot type:

flat
0g
0 g
tv

LIST_OF_STATES custom slot type:

on
off

NOTE that the zero-g preset is listed as 0g this is what is passed when 'Zero-G' is passed via AVS.

Sample Utterances File

SetPreset turn on {Preset}
SetMassage turn massage {State}
SetPreset turn on preset {Preset}
SetPreset turn on {Preset} preset

Create Skill

Follow the wizard on the Amazon Developer Portal to create the custom skill for Alexa in your account.

Enter the Intent Schema, custom slot types and Sample Utterances File from above to their respective fields.

NOTE as of writing, Alexa skills only work with the IoT Devices and Lambda functions in the us-east-1 region.

Testing

Make sure the following is setup before testing:

• Alexa Custom skill is enabled (check alexa mobile app)
• Lambda function with correct version is set in the Alexa Skill Configuration
• iot-bed.py script is running on your CHIP or Raspberry Pi device.

Now, ask Alexa to adjust your bed:

Alexa, tell bed to turn on zero g

The bed should move to the Zero-G position

Alexa, tell bed to turn on flat preset

The bed should move to the Flat position

Alexa, tell bed to turn massage on

The bed should start the massage at the lowest level.

Alexa, tell bed to turn massage on

The bed should increase the massage level.

Alexa, tell bed to turn massage off

The bed should increase the massage level twice then turn off.

If the voice commands worked then you successfully hacked your bed and turned it into a cloud-connected voice-controlled device. Welcome to the Internet of Things, I need a nap.

References

• Amazon Developer Portal
• Blog about using Alexa Skills with IoT devices
• Alexa Smart Home Skills API