Terren Peterson
Published © Apache-2.0

Roxie The Voice Activated Pitching Machine

A pitching machine is a critical tool to learn how to hit a ball, but until now has a bad interface. Use Alexa to transform the experience.

AdvancedFull instructions providedOver 1 day6,220

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Amazon Echo
Amazon Alexa Amazon Echo
Can use either a dot or a full echo. Don't try with the tap as it needs to be "hands-free".
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Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
Can substitute with the RaPi 1 or 2 - just will need to include the wifi adapter.
×1
Relay (generic)
These will be used to control the DC motors. Check schematic for detailed usage.
×1
DC motor (generic)
Optional - Need a small motor to drive the ball release if building the pitching machine from scratch. Check schematic for detailed usage.
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Motor Shaft Collet
Optional - needed if making pitching machine from scratch.
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3" Wheels (Made for toy cars and trucks)
Optional - needed if making pitching machine from scratch.
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9.6V Battery 2000mAh
Used to drive motors
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Software apps and online services

AWS Lambda
Amazon Web Services AWS Lambda
AWS SQS (Simple Queue Service)
Amazon Web Services AWS SQS (Simple Queue Service)
AWS IAM
Amazon Web Services AWS IAM
Amazon Web Services - Python SDK

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Soldering iron (generic)
Soldering iron (generic)
Used for connecting wiring of the relays and motors.
Jigsaw
Used for the robot cutout.
Table Saw
Optional - used in making the pitching machine from scratch.
Drill
Optional - used in making the pitching machine from scratch.

Story

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Schematics

Wiring diagram for Robot Roxie

Diagram instructing how to connect the wheels to a battery as well as a relay controlled motor that connects to the Raspberry Pi GPIO pins.

Code

Roxie Alexa Skill

Credits

Terren Peterson

Terren Peterson

11 projects • 36 followers
Life-long learner who started off with an Electrical Engineering degree, but have been in software and systems engineering my whole career.

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