Someone used Claude to root an Amazon Echo Dot and turn it into a Home Assistant satellite

Published Oct 31, 2026, 9:43 PM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Summary Turn Echo Dot 3 (2018) into a local Home Assistant voice satellite by replacing Amazon firmware. Solder a USB to the board to keep mic and wake-word engine but stop data going to Amazon. Supports many Echo models (see Echo Dot Assist GitHub); some 3rd-gen models and clock version won't work. We've seen people use Claude to break into all kinds of devices lately. The biggest news pieces include smart TVs, such as when someone got into Samsung's Tizen OS using Claude. But why stop at TVs? Someone used Claude to figure out how to turn their 2018 Amazon Echo Dot 3 into a Home Assistant voice satellite, and so can you. Echo Dot Assist makes the Dot's hardware work only for you It takes Amazon out of the equation This cool little project comes to us via Andy's Tech Labs (via Hackaday), who wanted to use the power of the Amazon Echo Dot 3, but without the Amazon part. To do that, he soldered a USB to the board, connected to it, and got to work replacing Amazon's software. The end result was an Echo Dot 3 that kept the microphone processing and wake word engine, but didn't send any data back to Amazon. The cool thing is, the project page claims that it works on more than just an Echo Dot 3. The setup is a little different for each model, but it can work with the following: Echo Dot 3rd gen (2018) Echo Dot 2nd gen (2016) Echo 2nd gen (2017) Echo Show 5 1st gen (2019) Echo Show 8 1st gen (2019) Echo Show 5 2nd gen (2021) Echo Show 8 2nd gen (2021) Echo Input (2018) Unfortunately, neither the Echo Dot 3rd gen (2019–2020) nor the Echo Dot 3rd gen with clock works with the firmware, so make sure your own device fits the bill. If it does, head over to the Echo Dot Assist GitHub page for the code and instructions on how to make your own.