A fun learning project inspired by Iron Man
Ever since I watched Iron Man, I dreamed of having my own AI voice assistant — something like Jarvis that could respond to me, talk back, and perform tasks.
So instead of downloading one from the Play Store, I decided to build my own assistant as a fun Python learning project.
I named it “NOVA”, which means a bright new star.
Getting Started
I wanted Nova to handle small but fun tasks — things like:
- Reading the latest news
- Opening apps like Instagram or LinkedIn
- Playing my favorite music
To do that, I used Python and a few useful libraries, along with the Gemini API for AI responses.
Libraries I Used
import speech_recognition as sr
import webbrowser
import pyttsx3
import musicLibrary
import requests
import google.generativeai as genai
import threading
Here’s what each one does:
| Library | Purpose |
|---|---|
| speech_recognition | Converts your voice into text (Speech → Text) |
| webbrowser | Opens websites or apps directly from Python |
| pyttsx3 | Converts text back into voice (Text → Speech) |
| musicLibrary | A custom module to store and play songs |
| requests | Fetches real-time data like news articles |
| google.generativeai | Connects to Gemini API for AI responses |
| threading | Runs multiple tasks at the same time |
How the Code Works
One of the coolest parts was making Nova respond only when I said “NOVA” — just like Jarvis wakes up when Tony Stark calls.
Here’s a simplified version of that logic:
if __name__ == "__main__":
speak("Initializing NOVA ...")
while True:
r = sr.Recognizer()
print("Recognizing ...")
try:
with sr.Microphone() as source:
print("Listening for wake word ...")
audio = r.listen(source, timeout=4, phrase_time_limit=3)
word = r.recognize_google(audio)
if "nova" in word.lower():
speak("Yes Sir, how may I help you?")
print("Yes Sir, how may I help you?")
# Listen for the actual command
with sr.Microphone() as source:
print("Nova Active...")
audio = r.listen(source)
command = r.recognize_google(audio)
processCommand(command)
except Exception as e:
print("Error: {0}".format(e))
Explanation (in simple words)
- The program first says “Initializing NOVA…” — to let you know it’s ready.
- It keeps listening for your wake word → “Nova”
- Once it hears it, Nova replies:
“Yes Sir, how may I help you?”
- Then it listens for your actual command — like: Play music Open Instagram
- Those commands are then processed using processCommand()
- Any errors are handled so the program doesn’t crash
Challenges & Mistakes (and What I Learned)
This project was full of learning moments!
| Problem | What Happened | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini API not working | Wrong model name and expired key | Reconfigured and generated a new API key |
| No voice response | Forgot engine = pyttsx3.init()
|
Added engine initialization |
| Wake word not detected | “Nova” wasn’t recognized clearly | Adjusted timeout & phrase_time_limit
|
| Continuous news reading | It kept reading all articles endlessly | Limited to top 5 |
| Unhandled errors | App crashed on bad input | Added polite fallback responses |
And yes — ChatGPT helped me debug a few issues faster!
The Best Part
After countless test runs, hearing:
“Initializing NOVA…”
from my laptop for the first time was an unforgettable feeling.
It felt like I had built my own mini Jarvis — one that could talk, listen, and perform real tasks.
This project taught me about:
- APIs
- Speech recognition
- Threading
- Real debugging
- Patience while coding!
Final Thoughts
If you’re learning Python or AI —
I highly recommend trying a voice assistant project.
It’s simple to start, super fun to build,
and you’ll learn a LOT in the process.
Keep building cool stuff —
your own Nova might be the first step toward your next big AI idea.
Written by Sarthak Wakade — a creative developer exploring AI, frontend, and fun projects.
© 2025 Sarthak Wakade — All opinions are my own.
Top comments (0)