How Does Alexa Work?

Make sure to read all the way to the bottom to see how you can win an Amazon Echo Dot!

In this episode, Teri talks about the technology behind Alexa, and addresses the question, “How does Alexa Work?” in very SIMPLE terms.

Let’s Clarify some terms

In order to answer the question, “How does Alexa work?” we first have to all talk the same language and understand a couple of basic words. This is kind of like learning vocabulary back in Grade 1, but a lot more fun! Don’t worry – there won’t be a test. 🙂

Amazon

Amazon is largest online shopping store, and the company that has created the Echo devices and the Alexa Voice Service.

Echo

Echo is the line of products that Amazon has created that allows a person to access the technology. The Echo devices currently available in Canada are discussed in Episode 2.

Alexa

Alexa is the name that Amazon has given to the voice service technology that allows us to speak to a device and have that device respond in the appropriate way. Alexa is the “brains” of the technology. It’s kind of like Siri, but way better! (See Episode 1 – Welcome to Alexa in Canada)

Skills

Skills are commands that Alexa can process. They are kind of like apps, but designed specifically for the Alexa Voice Service. Every command that you give to Alexa is essentially a skill.

What’s Inside an Echo Device?

To understand how Echo devices and Alexa work we need to understand what is inside an Echo device. So, here are the key components of an Echo device:

Microphone

This part of the device allows it to hear what you are saying. It’s a way to “input” information.

Computer

This part processes the commands that are given to the device through the microphone.

Speaker

This allows the device to give you voice feedback. It’s a way to “output” information. The quality of the speaker can vary from device to device.

Lights

This allows the device to give visual feedback on the status and what’s going on with the device. It’s a secondary way that the device can “output” information.

So, How Does Alexa Work?

1. You think of a command “skill” that you would like Alexa to do.
2. Activate Alexa by saying the wake word, “Alexa”. This can be changed to “Echo” or “Computer” in the settings. When the device hears the appropriate wake word, the device “wakes up” and starts listening for a command.
3. The starts to record the command after hearing the “wake word.”
4. The device sends the command through the internet to the cloud-based voice service. This means you must have an internet connection to use Alexa.
5. The voice command and extracted keywords are processed and interpreted in the cloud. This is the step that makes Alexa so powerful, because independent developers are creating thousands of individual programs (i.e. skills) that allow Alexa to interpret so many voice commands.
6. An action command is then sent back to whatever device you are wanting to control. This might be the same Echo device or it could be a thermostat, or a door lock, etc.

All of this happens extremely quickly so there is very little lag time between steps 1-6.

Example: Ordering a pizza from Domino’s (this an example from the US)

1. You think to yourself, “I’m hungry! I want to order a pizza.”
2. You say, “Alexa, Ask Dominos to order my pizza.”
3. Alexa records this command.
4. Alexa sends this command to the cloud.
5. The command is interpreted to understand what is being asked.
6. The action command is sent to Dominos to order the pizza and back to the Echo device to confirm to you that the order has been sent.

What’s the value of Voice?

Voice saves us time! Our world is evolving to a time when we will be able to control most things (if not all!) by voice. The reality is that it is much quicker to simply say a command than type or swipe to look something up or accomplish something.

The future is in The Voice Experience! 🙂

I value your feedback!

I would love to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions and I will do my best to address them in future episodes.

Please contact me here!

List of resources mentioned in this episode:

• Leave a review on iTunes

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Contest!

Win a Brand New Echo Dot!

Thank you so much for being here and listening to my very first podcast episodes. To express my appreciation I am holding a contest to award one of you awesome early suscribers with a brand new Echo Dot!

To enter the contest, follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Leave an honest review of the podcast on iTunes by clicking HERE!
2. Take a screenshot of your review BEFORE you submit it. Then submit it.
3. Post the screenshot to your Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook account with the hashtags #amazonecho and #alexaincanada

BONUS: Get an extra entry for every extra social media channel that you post your screenshot to with those hashtags!

I will choose one lucky winner at random on December 13th and I will announce the winner on the Alexa in Canada social media channels and notify the winner through his/her social media account!

The Fine Print

Contest is open for one week from December 5, 2017, until 11:59pm on December 12, 2017.
There will be one winner for this contest. Winner will be selected at random and posted on the Alexa in Canada Social media channels on December 13 or 14, 2017.
Open to Canadian and US residents 21 years or older. Void where prohibited or restricted by Canadian or US law.
Winner will have to answer a skill testing question.
Contest is not associated in any way with Amazon.com Inc. Alexa in Canada is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Amazon.com, Inc.
Winner will receive one Echo Dot (approx retail value $69.99 CDN).