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What IRBridge does
Harald Braun published the project on Hackster.io on March 13, 2018. It addresses a practical limitation of a Wi-Fi outlet: an outlet can cut power to a television, but it cannot send the TV’s infrared commands for power, input selection, or other functions. IRBridge is designed to learn and send those commands. Read the project description and build details on Hackster.io.
The project uses an IR receiver to capture commands from an existing remote and infrared LEDs to transmit saved commands. Its web interface is described as a place to configure Wi-Fi, save IR codes, group codes into “devices,” and make those devices available to Alexa. The pages are served from the ESP’s SPIFFS storage rather than generated on the fly; the project names Vue.js and Bulma for the interface, with axios and Buefy as supporting libraries.
How the Alexa connection is described
Braun’s 2018 project uses FauxmoESP and describes its Alexa approach as Wemo emulation without a cloud service. That characterizes the implementation as documented at the time; it does not establish that IRBridge remains compatible with current Alexa services, is certified by Amazon, or will be discovered by a current Alexa setup.
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Amazon’s current developer overview describes several routes for connecting devices, including cloud smart-home skills, Alexa Connect Kit hardware, and local connectivity options such as Bluetooth, Matter, and Zigbee. Amazon says a cloud smart-home skill requires the developer’s own device cloud. These are platform-level options, not confirmation that this ESP8266 project implements or qualifies for any of them. See Amazon’s Alexa connected-devices development resources.
Hardware in the documented build
The project names an ESP-12S module with ESP8266 Wi-Fi. Its listed design also includes an IR receiver, four IR LEDs, custom PCBs, NPN and PNP transistors, a micro-USB socket, and supporting components. USB supplies 5V; a regulator provides 3.3V for the ESP8266, while transistor circuitry switches a 5V rail for the LEDs.
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- Candidate module: ESP-12S ESP8266 Wi-Fi module, the module named in the project. Confirm its pinout and compatibility with the schematic before sourcing a replacement.
- IR parts: an infrared receiver and IR LEDs suitable for the circuit. The project identifies generic components rather than exact supplier models.
- Transistor and board parts: NPN and PNP transistors, the specified supporting components, and the custom PCB design. Check component ratings and the schematic rather than assuming a visually similar part is interchangeable.
This is a parts list for considering a reproduction of the documented design, not a verified bill of materials for a ready-made product. The Hackster page does not establish current suppliers or exact SKUs for every component.
Electrical and enclosure details to check
The author notes that the initial design omitted current-limiting resistors for the LEDs, which could allow excessive current. The author also notes that ESP8266 pins can change state during boot or code upload, and says a pull-down was added to the NPN base. These are design observations from the project author, not a safety review or certification. Inspect the schematic, LED current requirements, transistor ratings, and power design before building or powering a circuit.
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The enclosure’s front cover must let infrared light pass. Braun reports that the black and white material used for the project was sufficiently IR-translucent, but that result applies to the author’s build; it is not a guarantee for other plastics, finishes, or suppliers.
Software and age of the implementation
The 2018 project page names the Arduino core for ESP8266 and the libraries ESP Async WebServer, ArduinoJson, IRremoteESP8266, and FauxmoESP. Its browser interface uses Vue.js, Bulma, axios, and Buefy, with assets stored in SPIFFS on the ESP. The source documents what the author used, but does not verify that the code builds with current toolchains or that the Alexa behavior still works as described. Check the linked project materials and dependency versions before attempting a build.
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Do not confuse it with the Raspberry Pi project of the same name
A separate GitHub repository named chtimi59/irbridge describes a Raspberry Pi and LIRC-based TCP-to-infrared bridge, including raw bidirectional IR-over-TCP and sample clients. It is a different project from Braun’s ESP-12S design, so its hardware and installation directions do not apply here. View the separate Raspberry Pi repository.
What to expect when setting up an Alexa smart-home device
Amazon’s consumer guidance says to confirm that a device is Alexa-compatible before connecting it and notes that most smart-home Wi-Fi devices use 2.4 GHz bands. That is general setup advice, not a stated IRBridge requirement or proof of compatibility. See Amazon’s smart-home device connection guidance.
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