Introduction: Adding Microsoft Cortana to Raspberry Pi

By youtube.com/misperry

In this instructable we will be adding the Microsoft Cortana assistant to a raspberry pi 3. I will walk you through how to set up your cortana and be talking in under 30min.

Things you will need are as follows:

Raspberry Pi 3

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CD5VC92/ref=...

mini sub mic from amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IR8R7WQ/ref=...

32 GB SD card 40Mbps

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010Q57T02/ref=...

Step 1: Download Tools

First thing you will need to download the software that we will be using to flash the SD card you have with the latest windows 10 IoT core operating system. For this you will go to the following website and download the dashboard:

https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/downloads

Step 2: Install the OS

Now that you have downloaded and installed the IoT dashboard you need to run it. Once Ran you will choose from the left side the Set up a new device option. Once selected it will appear as in the image above. Here you will select the raspberry pi 2&3 for the device type and then under OS Build just select the latest build. I am using 15063 for this tutorial.

Once selected choose the device you want to flash this to. CAUTION: This will DELETE ALL data on that device.

Finally name your new windows IoT device and choose an administrator password for it.

From this screen you can also import wifi network connection info from the PC that you are building this device on. Mine, however, does not have wifi since I am hard connected to my router.

Now possible issue you may have and this is worthy to note. If you are not using a brand new SD card fresh from the box but rather one that has had other things copied on to it you will need to perform a low level format of the disk.

Don't ask me why but windows is so very picky at this. If you do not perform a low level format of the disk to ensure no remnants of any data exists at all the windows IoT core OS will just blue screen and not boot. Now again this is with build 15063 that I have tested and ran into this problem on I don't know about other builds behavior.

Lucky for you I have the link to a free low level formatter software that I will share with you below:

http://hddguru.com/software/HDD-LLF-Low-Level-Format-Tool/

Step 3: First Boot and Wifi Setup

Now that the image has been sucessfully flashed to the SD card place the card into your raspberry pi 3 and plug in the HDMI, USB Mic, and power cable to get it all going.

Once it boots you will be brought to a configuration screen. Follow the wizard to set up the language and any wifi or wired connection for network since you will be needing this for later.

Make sure and take note of the IP address when it becomes displayed. You will need this later.

Step 4: Give Cortana Permission

Now you will be prompted by some screens associated with Cortana. You will need to make sure and click "Sure" on any of the questions on enabling features for Cortana to work properly.

Step 5: Audio Settings Through IoT Dashboard

Now you will need to make sure that the microphone input level is up so she can hear you. To get to your dashboard you will need to enter the IP address of your pi in a web browser followed by port 8080.

Example (192.168.1.10:8080) this will then ask you for a user name and password. The user name will be "administrator" and the password will be what you chose when you flashed the memory card.

Once logged in you will need to look at the right side of the windows and check the audio levels and increase/decrease as needed.

Step 6: Run Cortana at Startup

Now to be able to run cortana at startup you will need to go to the left of your dashboard screen and click Apps -> Apps manager.

Once there you will search for the app called Cortana and click the Startup Radial button to enable her at startup.

Now every time you boot your raspberry pi it will run Cortana and she will be available.

Step 7: Final Thoughts

I hope you all enjoyed the instructable and had success making your cortana pi. If you have any questions please check out my quick video tutorial on youtube and at the end of the video if you are still having trouble please check out the in depth video, link at the end, to see exactly what troubles and issues you may be facing and how to overcome them.

Cheers!