HOW TO MAKE SMART BLINDS USING ALEXA

In this video I show you how to use Alexa to control Smart Blinds. I include a tutorial of how to build and setup the blinds. The project costed about $75 to make and it Lifts, Lowers, Opens and Closes the blinds.
Arduino Code: github.com/Grensom/Smart-Blin...
(You can either copy + paste or Download Repository in .zip form)
Building: 0:07
Testing: 4:43
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[@mattrobinson2929]

Wow, kid... I’ve never seen so much initiative and creativity go so under appreciated. Ignore those that don’t appreciate what you have goin on here. To and that mirror vid are both serious ideas. Keep it up, bro.

[@insidiply]

Someone puts so much effort and shows you how to do something cool and you dislike the video? What is wrong with you people.. Go watch Fortnite videos.

[@Grensom]

I'm glad some people appreciate the project, although there can be many improvements made to this - however it was more of a prototype project. I do need to clean up the wiring and presentation of the blinds.

[@FrankClement]

Grensom, do you have pictures on the setup of the UNO, and everything else?

[@p0xygen]

If I don't like the video I use the dislike button... It is made to say that you don't like it... People just take it way too serious... And just because I don't like the video, why should I watch fortnite? I hate it... What does it have to do with dislikes?

[@silencedspeech4953]

@@p0xygen if you dislike it why watch it?

[@p0xygen]

@@silencedspeech4953 dude it was a fucking example you probably didn't understand that I didn't dislike the video... And how are you gonna know if you like or dislike something before even watching it? I just said that people can dislike it if they don't like it and it's not a reason to say shit about them

[@91thpe]

If I were to add a custom command phrase: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said..." Alexa: "...let there be light" *Blinds go up

[@drunkirishpunx]

I'm so doing that when I finally get mine up and running

[@najmunnisanisar3316]

😂😂

[@paulraymond1804]

Good idea, but most of the world believes in science rather than hearsay.

[@johndavid360]

Paul Raymond well there’s always a chance they can be saved

[@connorgoldy7706]

@@drunkirishpunx well did you?

[@jehadbatal]

Thanks but where is the Alexa part? how did you set up the esp8266 with Alexa?

[@savasfreeman]

This deserves a project page with everything included. You did a great job and it's just from improving it from here on.

[@handedtoyou2477]

This is precisely what I've been searching for for two years. Thanks!

[@najmunnisanisar3316]

Such an amazing video. I just loved it. All your efforts have been allocated to the maximum extent. This project is very nice. 😍😍

[@whatsmyname4165]

Great job bud! Doing my own version for same sort of blinds. I am not a big fan of removing blind hardware and drilling holes, so I will only be doing open and shut. I had to abandon the idea of raising the blinds early on, but I am glad you pursued it to show it is possible. Maybe my gen2 will raise and lower lol. Again, great job for $75!

[@lilian10800]

This is amazing, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you !

[@Debsilvermusic]

Well done!! .. you make it sound so easy!

[@Bluebuthappy182]

That was really well done man.

[@liammcgarrigle]

I am working on one of these right now. How did you set it up to know when it was all the way open or all the way closed?

[@robertfreund7525]

great job man, keep up

[@JeremyCook]

Nice job!

[@Erotic_Hippo]

Any reason you didn't attach a flexible shaft coupler between the motor and the hex shaft to reduce stress on the motor?

[@MsSteffi]

I am so impressed Sir!

[@cristianellis285]

i have got full length blinds for office can you adjust how far the drop ie floor as not sure what size you are using

[@frostgreen5527]

Good job, nice work.

[@JTStonne]

Wow! You're a tech genius.

[@Bella07e]

Do you have the files used to 3d print the pull cord spool?

[@TarekFaham]

Is this blind normal one and you converted it to become smart blind? Please tell us from where did you get all parts if they don't come with the smart blind?

[@radaplay]

very nice work !!!

[@queenb7209]

this is so dope omg

[@jskyrme]

You are SO going to be my next new BFF. Get on a plane and I'll host you in the UK (serious offer!). You are AMAZING. The videos are thorough, well researched, and you did all the work yourself. Definitely a guy I like, as it's the way I like to work myself. A great balance of the electronic circuitry with practicality of doing the hardware modifications yourself. You'd like my house, I'm sure!

[@TheCowboysdude]

Great idea, Thank you for sharing!!! It's really awesome. AND can be built much less expensive then buying VERY expensive blinds like this. PLUS if it breaks you can fix it yourself!! :) Great job!

[@thebzz2299]

Absolutely awesome

[@quantummandavid]

Bro this is fire.

[@Eric-pi2rn]

Hi i really love the project! But could you show us how you hooked up the ESP-Module with Alexa? That part is missing ... Thank you so much!

[@ravilpatel8629]

where you able to adjust the project so that it EVENLY lifts or drop the shades?

[@asoetan]

Also just out of curiosity, how did you get Alexa to give you a more realistic response such as "shutting shades" rather than the usual "OK"?

[@Grensom]

So when it just says okay, this is just simply setting up some type of device which can only utilize ON/OFF commands. However what we did was create our own Alexa Skill with AWS to be able to take commands: tell xxx to go up/down/open/close. In this case it responds with more specific responses

[@asoetan]

Thanks, will explore even though i'll not mind you giving me some pointers.

[@CMichaelLyle]

I just want the open and close function on mine. When you have blinds 16 ft in the air this would be amazing for opening them. Could I operate the server on a solar power rechargerable battery?

[@SlowburnFoos]

i like this guy! very smart.

[@chandrurn]

Wow that's a big effort, worth on its hardwork

[@xiaonai7099]

What kind of servo motor did you use? Thanks

[@mako040472]

Awsome video om start doing mine only 1 question cause im new on arduino and i am planning to do around 8 blinds in diferent areas is there a way to make all blinds close at the dame time and also do individual thanks

[@ZDROVY]

Nice work

[@yeeumlee]

So amazing 👍

[@rickyocean1939]

I would really like to know the code you used to give commands like “up” or “down”?

[@FrankClement]

A couple of questions, so using larger torque motors, is quieter? Second, is that a potentiometer or a rotary encoder?

[@MbySK]

How to do same project but with stepper motor and a4988 board???

[@handsome_potato]

Ummm i dont have a shutter blind i only have the ones which go up and down soo code u do a seperate code?

[@OklaCaliT]

"here's the piece that I lazer cut..." and that's enough of this video!

[@yloby]

I agree with that. I don't have access to a laser cutter. But I'm thinking about trying the same thing with some epoxy putty -- go get it to fit that hex axle.

[@residentg33k23]

Exactly. Once I heard that I knew where my budget ended on a project like this.

[@TheCharlesChen]

I have a 3D printer using PLA material. I'm sure I can CAD up something like this.

[@kobayashimaru8114]

haha he didn't have to laser cut that piece, he just chose to. Funny though.

[@rustanL]

Same for me! Video does nothing for me at that point.

[@Know-Tree]

Hello Grensom, how can get the "#define DEFAULT_HOSTNAME" i don't know what should i put here

[@arthurvitui6630]

Hey, awesome tutorial! Can you please clarify a few things? Is it possible to do all this using ESP8266-12E instead of Arduino Uno? (I'm new to this and did not figure out all the differences between the 2 controllers). And how did you connect it to Alexa, as I don't see any code you shared on GitHub for setting up a web-service or a websocket client to anywhere...?

[@QweRty-dd8gp]

Which alexa skill did you use? How is the skill mapped to the arduino command?

[@UEdiver]

Very cool

[@lemondubs]

I am impressed

[@ColtonOnushko]

Will you ever revisit this using a nodemcu 8266? or is it easy to use this code with one?

[@JoshHawn1]

1 thought is, do you have a fail safe so if you ask to pull shades up before you open the shades so that it will always default to open before performing up or down functions?

[@Grensom]

The motors can pull the shades up and down whether or not the shades are open or closed

[@bgustinjr]

The only reason someone would dislike this video is if they thought they would be able to do it themselves but realized from watching this amazing video that they are lazy idiots. Again, amazing video!

[@alpallypal]

Nice Greg :)

[@vampyrew0lf]

Awesome project! Hacking the world is definitely a priority in my life.Could you add the sketch, BOM and schematic to the notes? I know they are in the vid but it would definitely be more helpful with a link.Keep up the good work!

[@billyding6814]

Awesome video. If you want to control 4 different shades independently via Alexa, do you need to set up 4 different sets of ESP+Arduino system separately?

[@jonjonf6273]

Do you have tutorial using stepper motor? Thanks.

[@rickshaw6001]

What laser cutter are you using?

[@28-anishanne86]

can this be used for shades

[@adailhorst1816]

How you integrate with alexa ? I cant found in your code informatiob about this.

[@brooknet]

I want to implement this on my kitchen blinds - I'm too lazy to keep pulling them up and down. Would the Alexa integration work on an Echo in the UK, and how do you add that, please? Cheers.

[@Grensom]

So it should be able to work on a UK Alexa as well. Now if you just need it to go up and down I can give you a link to a tutorial on how to do that. But if you want to Up/Down and Open/Close functions (4 operations), than you will need to create an Alexa skill and it is much more complicated.

[@brooknet]

That would be good - I don't mind getting into complexity, so the up/down and open/close functions would be useful. I didn't know that anyone could add their own skills; it's something that I'd really like to look at. Lex

[@Grensom]

PM your email and I'll give you some info

[@harshsingh5447]

Grensom what's the link for just up and down? Thanks

[@bringbackwindowsphone]

IFTTT is a thing 😃

[@eran898]

can you please share your code? i am doing almost the same project i am having trouble with pulling the curtain up,the delay takes more then 10 sec and it makes alexa to say curtain didnt respond.. i would love to see how you solve it. thanks!

[@kboop11]

Ur so smart !!!! Great!!!!

[@Alexandergmc]

what code do you add to the ESP board?

[@djmochaman]

Hey boss I just wonder can you do a video on just the open and close part, I don't want to pull them up plus i have no room for the hardware for the motor to life them.. so just open and close and I wonder can I use a sonoff to control the motor function. if you could let me know that would be great.. And of course I want to use my echo dot to control them.. Thanks and by the way this video rocks.. Thanks for posting.. ..

[@FrankClement]

Grensom, first of all congrats on an amazing project, my daughter's final science project is based on it. My issue is that the link you left is not the complete code, I had to do screen prints on your code and transcribe it to the Arduino IDE. After that, reading the code I was able to tell which pins to use. So connected everything as I thought was the proper way to do it. My set backs, there's no code for the ES8266, I have no idea on what to do with it. I can play around with the pins, connect them to ground and play with the pot. So far the only thing I can do is lower/raise the blinds. The tilt (close/open) thing, I can't do it. So at the end, her science project is incomplete. Would like to learn more, it has a lot of potential.

[@SHANUSHAH]

So who's doing this project, you your daughter? come on Dad don't cheat!!!

[@billyding6814]

Do you mind sending me the Alexa skills that does the 4 functions of up/down and open/close?

[@swd1758]

Great job! I’ve been working on this myself. I’m using a stepper motor, but looks like I need a 3D printer too lol. Is the Alexa skill a reg one or a smart home skill? Any chance you can link the code for the Alexa skill too?

[@cykosyc]

why didn't you just 3d print the housing for the servos instead of using the wood pieces?

[@Grensom]

I did after the fact, I didn't have access to the printer at the time and made the other pieces a few weeks in advance. I ended up making a 3D cover as well and using a PCB to clean up the mess of wiring

[@seanmarshall2922]

Grensom Pics/Video or it didn’t happen...

[@rudyparra8461]

How long did this project take from finish to start? How much applied time and how much elapsed time? As usual great video, seems very labor intensive..

[@WhiteMagick1000]

Would you be willing to share the code you used for the project? Am interested in making something similar

[@ColtonOnushko]

Can this be used with routines?

[@magorjames4410]

Genius

[@davidwilkins7424]

Nice Job, would love to have the arduino code to this project. thanks for sharing this video.

[@JuniorChange]

This reminds me of my first year Engg design project 😂

[@micaela303]

Love this! The only feedback I would give is that it sounds like an electric pencil sharpener is going off

[@FallenPillow4]

I'm trying to do the same thing and happened to stumble across your video. Great work! How do you have the Alexa Skill communicating to your Arduino? Also, I don't see any code related to the ESP8266. PS, super newb at this so any point in the right direction will be greatly appreciated!

[@binalchauhan9032]

What is the connection between eap8266 and Arduino uno?

[@conorferring5406]

Hey! I'm doing a very similar build but I have no 3d printing experience, could you upload the file for the gear&cylinder piece that you made? I'd really appreciate it :)

[@itsarcade9394]

can you give a link in the description of all the component

[@T00LF00L]

Awesome! Please build 6 for me?! 👍🏻

[@alphaneuron9045]

Dude you rock! Are you an electrical engineer?

[@dasboot360]

Song during build ?

[@jabarbara]

Excellent video... I am putting together my list of materials, but I want to be sure I get the right potentiometer and the gearbox to attach it to. It is a 10 turn pot but what is its resistance? Also, any information on the gearbox it is attached to would be great (i.e. manufacturer or the vendor). Again, thank for this!

[@jabarbara]

After replaying the video at 25% speed, I was able to see the manufacturer, manufacturer #, and specs: VISHAY SPECTROL PRECISION POTENTIOMETER 10KOhms +-5% L I N +- .25% Manufacturer #: 534-1-1-103. It be great to get the 3d print file/specification on the custom gears, as well as information on the gear assembly that translates the motor lift to the 10 turn potentiometer. :-)

[@travisandrew5878]

Are you selling the acrylic gears? If so, how much. I'd love try a couple of these. If your not, selling you willing to share the files so we can also have a few cut for us? Also, you have a github and such for the code? This is a great project. Thanks

[@balamadras]

Awesome I am gonna try this. getting those 3d printed parts could be the problem for me.

[@blas9839]

Hello can u share the code that use for esp8266 plis??

[@williamterry3177]

Very nice job. I like the wood blocks. This shows that anyone can do it! I see a lot of requests for the codes. Couldn't you just post the code as a reply in KZbin? Maybe too long or it would loose the format? Thanks

[@nitsuagmartin]

What if you have someone named shades in your contacts and she sends them a message telling them to go up?

[@Twopicx]

I’m just amazed every time I saw how the shades shut...

[@seaha3750]

Could i have the code please. So it eould be easyer for me to build.

[@sameerabul]

can you upload and link the esp code and schematics, please

[@victornoborski2299]

Really cool, would be good to see the final result though. Did you manage to cover all the cabling from being viewed?

[@Grensom]

Yes, I actually made a 3D printed cover for this project after the fact, cleaned up the wiring with a PCB and fixed the lifting mechanism. I would have liked to make an update video, but I have given them to a woman in an assisted living facility who will be able to use them

[@TheCrimsonBlade2]

Grensom please send me the arduino code and 3d print file? [e-mail] thank you so much! Amazing project.

[@Grensom]

YellowSpade actually I added a link in the description for the Arduino Code

[@jrmeceleb]

god i can f see peter parker. Tony stark would be so proud

[@scallywagin]

Nice..but what about the integration between Alexa and the motors?

[@Nate0624]

Rad!

[@thamomentum]

People are stupid. He uses a laser cut pieces or 3d printed pieces...but you can cut it out of wood or plastic FFS. This is amazing. I will be doing this. Great job dude

[@hubipoz]

Great work! Is your Alexa Skill using your private VPS to communicate with ESP8266. Thanks!

[@harshsingh5447]

How to do just up and down?

[@carolinecarlo9810]

Boy I wish I could hire you to hot wire all my blinds...

[@gryzman]

I reckon a little write up with some photographs on GitHub would be worth doing - to accompany this video.

[@stevem3163]

Why aren't you running the software on the ESP8266 and using those GPIO pins? That would eliminate the Arduino and reduce project cost (which could be significant of you have a lot of blinds to control).

[@sjude68]

This is what I have been looking for. I need to know the part list. Hope I can get the items in India.

[@JobQuestUnveiled]

I need to.