Hi Folks,
I want to share this easy way to operate conventionally running 3 rail O and S gauge trains that use a mechanical or electronic e-unit, with the Amazon Echo Dot, Alexa app, and a smart socket, by voice commands:
Take care, Joe.
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Nice-
But I rather have you control trains via JDaddy -
Send new trains to my house
JDaddy runs them on his layout via your email(s)
Logs Video into You Tube
Sends new train back to you after a couple of weeks - maybe 4 if JDaddy really likes them...
J Daddy posted:Nice-
But I rather have you control trains via JDaddy -
Send new trains to my house
JDaddy runs them on his layout via your email(s)
Logs Video into You Tube
Sends new train back to you after a couple of weeks - maybe 4 if JDaddy really likes them...
Great idea! Not kidding!
banjoflyer posted:Just make sure you don't say "Time to crash!" if you're going to bed.
Mark
LOL, I'll be careful!
I'm waiting for the info on how to control track voltage. Could you also post a link for that spliced in controller please? I could put that in the cord of the Lionel CW-80 I use for the loop around my Christmas tree.
sinclair posted:I'm waiting for the info on how to control track voltage. Could you also post a link for that spliced in controller please? I could put that in the cord of the Lionel CW-80 I use for the loop around my Christmas tree.
I'll have my voltage control video in about a week or so.
Take care, Joe.
Interesting. In a recent article of mine in OGR magazine (April/May2018), I forecasted that voice command could be the next phase of train control.
BOB WALKER posted:Interesting. In a recent article of mine in OGR magazine (April/May2018), I forecasted that voice command could be the next phase of train control.
You are ahead of your time, as always!
My 10 year old son saw this tonight. He asked if we could do a presentation to his technology class at school he thought it was so cool.
Cool, I can get spied on while playing with my trains...Alexa self destruct
The coolest part of this tech wave is that now, with Alexa, we won’t even have to go into the train room anymore.
DaveP posted:My 10 year old son saw this tonight. He asked if we could do a presentation to his technology class at school he thought it was so cool.
Hi Dave,
If you take the Alexa/smart-socket set-up to your son's school, remember that you'll need to change the Alexa and the Sonoff Wifi credentials to the school's credentials for the presentation, so do a rehearsal at the school before you have an audience. (Sonoff's are configured in the EWeLink app.) Even Amazon executives in recent presentations had a few embarrassing moments.
Take care, Joe.
I guess this now makes controlling your trains with your phone or tablet obsolete...
Rusty
I haven't watched yet, I checked out the switch features but I neglected to note the input/output arraignment though... I use a similar but infra red remote controlled lamp outlet for off/on around the holiday.
Keychain sized remote is smaller than a phone.
I'm also thinking back to using a voice remote robot about a decade ago.
I wanted a manual remote.
There isn't anyone around to disturb it often, but I don't like to use voice typing either.
I just prefer to be quiet I guess.
But I digress, it seems a variable output "dimmer" stands a shot at being used effectively with voice command too ( if offered yet...?). But I don't know what kind of control you'd find in a lamp dimmer today as I'd think "normal" is changing in that area with l.e.d.s power needs differering so greatly from incandescents.
Joe Rampolla posted:DaveP posted:My 10 year old son saw this tonight. He asked if we could do a presentation to his technology class at school he thought it was so cool.
Hi Dave,
If you take the Alexa/smart-socket set-up to your son's school, remember that you'll need to change the Alexa and the Sonoff Wifi credentials to the school's credentials for the presentation, so do a rehearsal at the school before you have an audience. (Sonoff's are configured in the EWeLink app.) Even Amazon executives in recent presentations had a few embarrassing moments.
Take care, Joe.
Good advice! Thanks Joe.
The only device we haven't considered for train control so far is a smart watch. Why not?
Obviously the end game here is to have mind control. That way we can run trains while we sleep and perhaps after we are dead, depending on signal strength!
Scrapiron Scher posted:The coolest part of this tech wave is that now, with Alexa, we won’t even have to go into the train room anymore.
Yes. For real fun, there's nothing like removing yourself from all the work of being involved with operational control. 
I use my Alexa to turn my layout on and off, thus saving me from bending over to grab the surge protector. Works really well and gives the layout a whole new "wow" factor when I have guests over.
Bill DeBrooke posted:Obviously the end game here is to have mind control. That way we can run trains while we sleep and perhaps after we are dead, depending on signal strength!
The end may be sooner than we think. A direct interface from brain to computer is in initial testing. Until then....
Alexa, the wife is home. Hide that new engine somewhere on the layout.
Bruce
I might go for a novelty version vs a cyclinder 
No more dead or lost remotes
Odd voice cues might be fun (assumed you can teach it a thing or two?)
It's likely not for me overall, but I like that it's happening. I can see fun potential and sense some dicovery still hiding in the wings.
Adriatic posted:I might go for a novelty version vs a cyclinder
No more dead or lost remotes
Odd voice cues might be fun (assumed you can teach it a thing or two?)
It's likely not for me overall, but I like that it's happening. I can see fun potential and sense some discovery still hiding in the wings.
Exactly, it's novel and fun!!! For me, I can steal a few minutes of fun and run my handcars or whatever, play a little music. The downside to a large layout is that it isn't good for the 10 minute operating session, so a little set-up nearby allows me to get my daily train fix. No fiddling -- just quick fun!
Scrapiron Scher posted:The coolest part of this tech wave is that now, with Alexa, we won’t even have to go into the train room anymore.
At this point, why not just tell the system to play Emperor of the North and save oneself the time and expense of a layout?
Maxrailroad posted:I use my Alexa to turn my layout on and off, thus saving me from bending over to grab the surge protector. Works really well and gives the layout a whole new "wow" factor when I have guests over.
Scary. Our Amazon Echo Dot constantly misinterprets background noises and conversations, executing every manner of random command including lights and unwanted music.
I don't need a wayward dog's bark to erroneously energize a mile of copper wire or have a bunch of transformers burn the house down while I am at work during the day.
And, I don't need that stupid thing ordering real food when it hears my station sounds diner talk about the first sitting being served.
Very cool - simple approach that works reliably for conventional control trains.
FWIW, for those who run command control (specifically DCS), I asked MTH if they would ever open up an API to their WIU and was told not anytime in the near future. My goal is to use Samsung SmartThings and REST calls to automate/integrate my trains into my smart home - I did take a crack (shot in the dark) using PostMan to see if I could capture any JSON or REST from my phone to the WIU, however I couldn't pull any obvious calls, which means they're using non-standard ports or proprietary APIs
sinclair posted:I'm waiting for the info on how to control track voltage. Could you also post a link for that spliced in controller please? I could put that in the cord of the Lionel CW-80 I use for the loop around my Christmas tree.
Speed control:
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