Create a voice assistant with Python

Creating a simple voice assistant in Python involves integrating several libraries for speech recognition, text-to-speech, and possibly natural language processing. Below is a complete example of a basic voice assistant using Python that can recognize speech, respond with voice, and perform some basic commands like web searches, time queries, and opening websites.

python
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import speech_recognition as sr
import pyttsx3
import datetime
import webbrowser
import os

# Initialize the speech engine
engine = pyttsx3.init()
voices = engine.getProperty('voices')
engine.setProperty('voice', voices[1].id)  # Use female voice, use voices[0] for male
engine.setProperty('rate', 150)  # Speed of speech

def speak(text):
    engine.say(text)
    engine.runAndWait()

def greet_user():
    hour = datetime.datetime.now().hour
    if 5 <= hour < 12:
        speak("Good morning!")
    elif 12 <= hour < 18:
        speak("Good afternoon!")
    else:
        speak("Good evening!")
    speak("I am your assistant. How can I help you today?")

def take_command():
    recognizer = sr.Recognizer()
    with sr.Microphone() as source:
        print("Listening...")
        recognizer.pause_threshold = 1
        recognizer.adjust_for_ambient_noise(source)
        audio = recognizer.listen(source)

    try:
        print("Recognizing...")
        query = recognizer.recognize_google(audio, language='en-US')
        print(f"User said: {query}")
    except sr.UnknownValueError:
        speak("Sorry, I did not catch that. Could you please repeat?")
        return "None"
    except sr.RequestError:
        speak("Sorry, I'm having trouble connecting to the speech service.")
        return "None"
    return query.lower()

def perform_task(command):
    if "your name" in command:
        speak("I am your Python voice assistant.")
    elif "time" in command:
        time = datetime.datetime.now().strftime("%I:%M %p")
        speak(f"The current time is {time}")
    elif "open google" in command:
        speak("Opening Google")
        webbrowser.open("https://www.google.com")
    elif "open youtube" in command:
        speak("Opening YouTube")
        webbrowser.open("https://www.youtube.com")
    elif "search" in command:
        search_term = command.replace("search", "").strip()
        speak(f"Searching for {search_term}")
        webbrowser.open(f"https://www.google.com/search?q={search_term}")
    elif "open notepad" in command:
        speak("Opening Notepad")
        os.system("notepad")
    elif "exit" in command or "quit" in command or "stop" in command:
        speak("Goodbye! Have a great day.")
        exit()
    else:
        speak("I'm sorry, I can't help with that yet.")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    greet_user()
    while True:
        command = take_command()
        if command != "None":
            perform_task(command)

Required Python Packages

Install the necessary libraries using pip:

bash
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pip install SpeechRecognition pyttsx3 pyaudio

Note: If pyaudio fails to install, on Windows use:

bash
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pip install pipwin
pipwin install pyaudio

Features in This Assistant

• Speech Recognition: Converts your voice to text using Google Speech Recognition.

• Text to Speech (TTS): Speaks back to the user using pyttsx3.

• Command Execution: Recognizes and performs tasks like telling the time, opening websites, and searching the web.

This code offers a foundational voice assistant you can expand with more sophisticated capabilities like NLP, app control, or home automation.