How to Create Affordable Alexa-Controlled Blinds for Your Windows

If you’ve got an Alexa-powered device, like the Amazon Echo, there are all kinds of home automation tasks you can start controlling. You can turn your lights on and off, start your coffee maker, or monitor your home security system. One of the most exciting parts of your home you can automate, however, are your windows coverings.

Unfortunately, the solutions currently on the market can be very pricey—unreasonably so. Luckily you can build your own more affordably with just a little bit of know-how. Kyle Stewart-Frantz has a great article in which he describes in detail how he built his system. The result works just like commercial options, but at a fraction of the price.

The heart of the build is a tubular motor which fits inside of rollup-style window shades. The motor controller is RF-triggered, and comes with its own remote control system. To get it working with Alexa, Kyle used a smart RF transmitter which is capable of working with many standard RF devices which use the 433 MHz frequency.

The RF transmitter works with an app that acts as an intermediary between it and the Amazon Echo. While that app could be installed on a phone, Kyle decided to use an inexpensive Android media box to run the app. After that, it was a simple matter of connecting the app with Alexa in order provide voice control.