Amazon probably design its personal assistant Alexa to be used in the manner that Mike McGurin has perfected.
The self-proclaimed aspiring roboticist designed a creative and somewhat creepy use for Amazon’ AI by repurposing one of his Halloween decorations. As Gizmodo reports, McGurin was inspired by another genius animation using the AI: Alexa Billy Bass.
These two clever applications are part of a wave clever hacks using ubiquitous technology, including the more commercial Netflix Personal Trainer.
The creepy animated contraption, dubbed “the Yorick Project,” was made using a 3-axis skull, a Raspberry Pi, and software called AlexaPi that turns the Raspberry Pi into an Alexa-enabled device. McGurin details how he built the Alexa-powered skull, diagrams and all, on his website. Aside from the three main parts, all that’s needed is some cash (he says the skull is the most expensive part) and a little bit of free time.
Check out the fruits of McGurin’s labor below.
—RealClearLife
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