Published June 21, 2020 © GPL3+

Connect Alexa to Any Arduino with Broadlink IR

Two years ago I searched for a way to connect my Arduino with my Alexa and came up with this simple solution.

BeginnerFull instructions provided1 hour2,330

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Alexa echo Dot

Broadlink RM mini

Here is the Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3fGsH08

Arduino Nano

IR receiver diode (generic)

The Amozon link: https://amzn.to/3hMmeT7

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

Broadlink IHC app

Amazon Alexa Alexa Voice Service

Story

So a couple of years ago I wanted to control my old cocktail maker that I programmed with an Arduino Mega with Alexa.

Back then there where many possible solutions but I already had a Broadlink smart remote at home and I figured out how to receive IR signals on the Arduino. Now I made a tutorial so you can also try this method.

It has some pro's and cons.

Pros:

If you already have a Broadlink smart remote you just have to buy an IR receiver online or use the one you already have laying around. for 1 IR receiver diode the price is less then 50 cents.
Works with any Arduino (just make sure u use a PWM pin)
It is easy to understand and easy to set-up.
You can use this method for many Arduino's at your home.
If you have a remote you can also take it out of the Wifi range and use a remote.

Cons:

The smart remote and the device need to be in IR (infrared) range.
The communication is in one way. You have no feedback from the device.
You need to buy or own a smart remote.

I made a small video explaining how this works

So now it is time to set it up.

I would first set up the Arduino like you will find in the schematics. I used an Arduino mini for this project. I also used two servo's to control the sticks to demonstrate the principle.

I have added two codes. One is an example where you can wright your code for each voice command. The second one is the example I used to control the servo's in the video.

If you run the code and open serial monitor you can see the signals the IR receiver picks up. Make sure the device's are in range of each other.

This is a picture of a nano but it is possible with all Arduinos. Just make sure u use a PWM pin.

If you have any questions, please comment so I can help you :-)

Code

// A hacky way to use a smart remote to control your Arduino remotly with Alexa. 

// Adding addition signals
// To add additional signals go to the broadlink app and pick any TV brand. Then test the remote in the app by pressing the on/off button. 
// Connect your Arduino to your pc and read out the serial monitor. You should receive the code. Test if the code is not used previously in the program.
// Test the code a couple of times to make sure it is always the same code (some signals are more complex and should not be used for this). 
// If you have an new code you want to use copy the code of the last signal and input your signal. 


// Import library. To install this make sure you are connected to the internet and in press Ctr+shift+i.
// Then you search for the library in the searbox 'IRremote' Install the one by Sherriff and press install.
#include <IRremote.h>

const int RECV_PIN = 7; // The pin you connected the IR receiver with. This must be a pin with PWM.
IRrecv irrecv(RECV_PIN);
decode_results results;


void setup(){
  Serial.begin(9600);
  irrecv.enableIRIn();
  irrecv.blink13(true); // This makes the LED blink when receiving an IR command. 
}

void loop(){
  if (irrecv.decode(&results)){
       Serial.println(results.value, HEX);


  if (results.value == 0xC)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 1 = signal C");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }


  if (results.value == 0xA90)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 2 = signal A90");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }

  if (results.value == 0xFFE21D)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 3 = signal FFE21D");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }

  if (results.value == 0x80c)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 4 = signal 80c");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }

  if (results.value == 0x7070D02F)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 5 = signal 7070D02F");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }

  if (results.value == 0xFF629D)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 6 = signal FF629D");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }



  if (results.value == 0xFB030D00)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 7 = signal FB030D00");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }

   if (results.value == 0x8D1F6BD6)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 8 = signal 8D1F6BD6");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }


   if (results.value == 0x84c)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 9 = signal 84c");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }


   if (results.value == 0x1010F00F)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 10 = signal 1010F00F");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }



delay(500);  
irrecv.resume();
        
  }




}

// A hacky way to use a smart remote to control your Arduino remotly with Alexa. 



// Import library. To install this make sure you are connected to the internet and in press Ctr+shift+i.
// Then you search for the library in the searbox 'IRremote' Install the one by Sherriff and press install.
#include <IRremote.h>
#include <Servo.h>

int Servo1 = 3;  //PWM pin that is connected to the servo_1
int Servo2 = 5;  //PWM pin that is connected to the servo_2
const int RECV_PIN = 10; // The pin you connected the IR receiver with. This must be a pin with PWM.
IRrecv irrecv(RECV_PIN);
decode_results results;
Servo demoServo;        //create a servo object


void setup(){
  Serial.begin(9600);
  irrecv.enableIRIn();
  irrecv.blink13(true); // This makes the LED blink when receiving an IR command. 
  

}

void loop(){
  
if (irrecv.decode(&results)){
       Serial.println(results.value, HEX);


// Why I attach and detach the pins is because I had troubles with my Arduino Mini and the siganel of the servo. 
// When I don't use the detach the signal of the servomotor would be interpeted as IR codes and caused errors when reading IR codes.

  if (results.value == 0xC)
{
      demoServo.attach(Servo1);
      Serial.println("Seafox 1 = signal C");
      demoServo.write(180);
      Serial.println("servo 180");
      delay(4000);
      Serial.println("end of delay");
      demoServo.write(60); 
      Serial.println("servo 60");
      delay(100);
      demoServo.detach();

           
  }


  if (results.value == 0xA90)
{
      demoServo.attach(Servo2);
      Serial.println("Seafox 2 = signal A90");
      demoServo.write(180);
      Serial.println("servo 180");
      delay(10000);
      Serial.println("end of delay");
      demoServo.write(60); 
      Serial.println("servo 60");
      delay(100);
      demoServo.detach();
           
  }

  if (results.value == 0xFFE21D)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 3 = signal FFE21D");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }

  if (results.value == 0x80c)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 4 = signal 80c");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }

  if (results.value == 0x7070D02F)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 5 = signal 7070D02F");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }

  if (results.value == 0xFF629D)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 6 = signal FF629D");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }



  if (results.value == 0xFB030D00)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 7 = signal FB030D00");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }

   if (results.value == 0x8D1F6BD6)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 8 = signal 8D1F6BD6");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }


   if (results.value == 0x84c)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 9 = signal 84c");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }


   if (results.value == 0x1010F00F)
{
      Serial.println("Seafox 10 = signal 1010F00F");
        
      // put your code to do the action you want to do here. 
           
  }

delay(100);
irrecv.resume();
        
  }



}

Credits

Seafox_C

10 projects • 49 followers

I'm 29 years old and live in Belgium. I love the Arduino community and like to learn and make projects.

Connect Alexa to Any Arduino with Broadlink IR

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Pros:

Cons:

I made a small video explaining how this works

So now it is time to set it up.

Schematics

Schematics with Arduino Nano

Code

Arduino_Alexa_GooleHome IR sketch template

Arduino IR Alexa file used as demo in video with two servo motors

Credits

Seafox_C

Comments

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Connect Alexa to Any Arduino with Broadlink IR

Connect Alexa to Any Arduino with Broadlink IR

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Pros:

Cons:

I made a small video explaining how this works

So now it is time to set it up.

Schematics

Schematics with Arduino Nano

Code

Arduino_Alexa_GooleHome IR sketch template

Arduino IR Alexa file used as demo in video with two servo motors

Credits

Seafox_C

Comments

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