Echo Sonoff Anarchy

Here is a beginner's story for all the beginners makers.

Recently (7 monthes) arrived in the makers world with some arduino and other DIY stuffs, the house automation came inevitably when I started some (big) works on my house.

So, as usually, I started by asking to some maker friends and looking on forums to evaluate the best solution.

My need was quite easy and small : only control some light with a smartphone and by my voice.

But, for once, this was not the best way to advance. An easier way came with some luck : from... hackster. When I saw this contest and discovered Alexa. I hadn't ever heard about it before (so in December). In the same time, I discovered also by chance the Sonoff devices (I don't remember where).

I had the ingredients (a Sonoff swich and an Echo Dot) in a couple of week and the contest to motivate me but overall, the timing was short but perfect : all the technical works in my house had to be done by end of February.

And it's why this technology is made for beginners, you don't need time and a lot of development, you just have to go in !

I would like to also say that this technology allow you to access to house automation easier and cheaper than with a classic technologies. You don't need to think your electricity routes, have a box and other devices.

The sonoff can be mounted directly on your existing installation and alexa only requires a socket.

So let's go for a quick guide on how to use your devices Echo Dot and Sonoff swich and the only "skill" that I had to develop : how Alexa can understand my (non)English :P