Sorry this is quite long.
TLDR: Here is info about a nice and neat little DIY installation of the latest Amazon Echo Auto device into a current (second generation) Model 3/Y console, using the Jowua USB LED Hub and optional matching tray setup.
Happy to entertain discussion about the Echo Auto itself and I do give some background on it below, but I'm not really looking to promote it or to debate users who want to campaign against it. Thanks.
Pinging @jcanoe as I remember he's a user of the Echo Auto product.
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I've been using the original (1st gen) Echo Auto device in the MY since I purchased the car. For me, as a user accustomed to the Alexa interface at home, I find it to be a very good solution as my primary "manager" for Bluetooth streaming from amazon, Sirius XM, podcasts, YouTube and other phone-based audio, as well as the usual handy information-assistance usage: business hours, weather forecasts etc. Note that if you use your Alexa at home for Smart Home control, then this capability extends into the vehicle and you can do things like control lights when you leave or arrive, check the locks and garage door etc.
I seriously need reading glasses to shift from driving to dashboard tasks, so I really appreciate any well-executed voice assistance. I wish Tesla would develop this aspect of their UI further; right now I'm not aware of any listen-and-respond capability. You can give certain voice commands to the Tesla but not others that it should understand, and it doesn't answer or acknowledge you by voice even though the navigation system can talk to you. Finally in this regard, I will note that I use the very functional Tessie app which has a highly functional integration with Alexa (as well as with Google Assistant and with Siri). I find that I can actually get certain information and/or control things that Tesla has not added to their voice control, by using the Tessie skill through Alexa and bypassing the Tesla screen UI. Mostly this is designed to do things like start the climate system or precondition while you're still inside your house, but having the Tessie voice control in the car adds another way to interact with the Tesla beyond the somewhat primitive native voice commands
As I said up top, I'm not really here to evangelize the Echo Auto or Alexa ecosystem. I'm happy to answer further questions but I'm not trying to start a debate. I completely understand that there are other ways to do everything it can do, including some of the Tesla built-in apps, Google or Siri alternatives and so on. (I started with Echo Auto in some older cars that didn't even have Bluetooth, much less any modern smart infotainment capability. For those cars, it's a real treat.)
Also by the way, I don't use the "Auto Mode" of the Alexa phone app - it provides a simplified large-icon interface, something akin to Android Auto, designed to make it safer to interact with the phone app while driving. I didn't enable that because I don't even look at the phone at all, while using the Echo Auto or pretty much any other time. Not only do I have the issue of switching glasses, but also FSD beta would scream at me and disengage if it caught me looking at the phone!
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With all that preamble, I want to share a new installation I just did with the 2nd-gen Echo Auto unit, integrated with the Jowua USB LED hub and its matching sliding tray set. The Jowua setup is available from Amazon and probably several other places; I purchased mine from Abstract Ocean in 2021. It appears that AO still carries it, though as an older product they don't feature it as strongly. It's not particularly cheap so maybe that limited its popularity. I see they've headed a few alternative hubs and trays.
The sliding tray and a selectable style/color of silicone compartmented insert or designed with a slim cutout that conforms to the shape of the installed USB hub. It's a nicely design setup but again not the cheapest for sure - the normal price is around $100 for the complete set, but I've seen them on sale so you could look for that.
Abstract Ocean Jowua USB LED Hub
Abstract Ocean Matching Console Tray+Insert - Multi Styles/Colors
Amazon Jowua USB LED Hub
Amazon Matching Console Tray+Insert - Multi Styles/Colors
Note that his is specifically for the Gen 2 Tesla 3/Y console with the sliding cover and the two USB-C ports down low in the console compartment. The Jowua hub plugs into those ports and provides two USB-A ports down low, as well as USB-C and USB-A ports up on the top edge of the hub. There's also an on/off LED light switch, to illuminate the console better than the small built-in lamp; both of these original and supplemental lights are mostly useful for the deep compartment under the tray, not so much useful for lighting the contents of the upper tray, although it does help a bit with that.
Previously, I had the Amazon Echo Auto (1st gen) sitting completely underneath the sliding tray, plugged into one of the hub's USB-A ports and with the longish cable just laying coiled in the .eep compartment. The high-tech Echo microphone was good enough to hear me address the Alexa with the tray slid rearwards in its normal position, but then closing the sliding console lid would create a double acoustic barrier, and it would then struggle to hear me unless I spoke very loud. So I basically left the cover open and the tray contents exposed.
With the new Echo Auto (2nd gen), I was able to create a cleaner and better installation. The new product has a very small mic unit with its two control buttons (Mute and Action) that are now quite easy to access, though I rarely if ever need to use them. More importantly, the mic is now mounted just above the sliding tray and under the sliding console lid, so Alexa can easily hear me even with the lid closed. More attractive and dust resistant.
Here's a short video of the installed operation; it's on YouTube because I can't seem to upload the video file directly to TMC.
Here are pictures of the Jowua hub after I opened it up, made a few mods and tucked the excess USB cable inside. The modifications were to create a couple of U-shaped cutouts for USB cable entry and exit, and then a few cutouts to thin molded supports inside so that the cable could run next to the PC boards and be bundled up mostly in the center of the inside cavity of the hub. I haven't reopened the hub to take photos of what I did inside; I could do that but I'm not sure if it's needed or worth it (and there may be exactly zero users who want to duplicate my installation
).
The first picture shows the Echo Auto not plugged into the hub yet, including a right-angle USB-A adapter I bought to keep the external cable as short as possible:
Amazon USB-A 90 Degree Adapters
The second photo shows the speaker module wrapped around the bottom, with the USB connector plugged in to the hub. I could add mounting tape to further secure the speaker unit, but it doesn't seem necessary. The speaker output fires upwards across the front face of the hub.
To be clear, the speaker is basically used during setup or to advise the user of a failed Bluetooth connection etc. In normal operation, all audio including Alexa's chime and voice responses will come through the Tesla speakers. Likewise, the mic is used only to listen for the wake word ("Alexa", or a couple of other choices if you can figure them instead). Phone conversations are routed through the Tesla mic and speakers.
The third photo below is similar to the video already linked above. It shows the completed installation. The mic unit magnetically attaches to a little self-stick mount - note that this mount is included when you buy the Echo Auto 2; they offer a bundle with amount for about $5 more, but you don't need the extra one. I chose to stick the magnet directly to the flocked edge of the console under the lid. It seems to be sticking but if it fails, I'll do something else.
I could have used a 3M Command strip or Velcro tape to allow the magnet to be taken off and reattached, to make it easier to remove the sliding tray if needed. As it is, the magnet sticks out over the tray edge, so if I want to remove the tray I have to take out the silicone compartment insert and then the ABS plastic tray can just be maneuvered past the magnet. Not a big problem as I rarely need to remove that tray completely. But you should watch out for this and take care not to completely block the installation and removal of the ABS plastic tray. Again, mounting the magnet with a Command strip or Velcro so it can be removed, or alternatively mounting the mic directly to the console edge using one of those, are some other ideas.
Conclusion: Now that I've done this, I'm glad I purchased the second generation Echo Auto unit. It's a better installation with less stuff cluttering up the console well and now I can use it comfortably with the console lid in the closed position.
TLDR: Here is info about a nice and neat little DIY installation of the latest Amazon Echo Auto device into a current (second generation) Model 3/Y console, using the Jowua USB LED Hub and optional matching tray setup.
Happy to entertain discussion about the Echo Auto itself and I do give some background on it below, but I'm not really looking to promote it or to debate users who want to campaign against it. Thanks.
Pinging @jcanoe as I remember he's a user of the Echo Auto product.
------------------
I've been using the original (1st gen) Echo Auto device in the MY since I purchased the car. For me, as a user accustomed to the Alexa interface at home, I find it to be a very good solution as my primary "manager" for Bluetooth streaming from amazon, Sirius XM, podcasts, YouTube and other phone-based audio, as well as the usual handy information-assistance usage: business hours, weather forecasts etc. Note that if you use your Alexa at home for Smart Home control, then this capability extends into the vehicle and you can do things like control lights when you leave or arrive, check the locks and garage door etc.
(You can also use the Alexa intercom-like network to "drop in" and chat with family or friends - however I personally do not like this idea at all, I stay far away from this kind of thing, and I have not allowed that to be enabled on my Alexa ecosystem!)
I seriously need reading glasses to shift from driving to dashboard tasks, so I really appreciate any well-executed voice assistance. I wish Tesla would develop this aspect of their UI further; right now I'm not aware of any listen-and-respond capability. You can give certain voice commands to the Tesla but not others that it should understand, and it doesn't answer or acknowledge you by voice even though the navigation system can talk to you. Finally in this regard, I will note that I use the very functional Tessie app which has a highly functional integration with Alexa (as well as with Google Assistant and with Siri). I find that I can actually get certain information and/or control things that Tesla has not added to their voice control, by using the Tessie skill through Alexa and bypassing the Tesla screen UI. Mostly this is designed to do things like start the climate system or precondition while you're still inside your house, but having the Tessie voice control in the car adds another way to interact with the Tesla beyond the somewhat primitive native voice commands
As I said up top, I'm not really here to evangelize the Echo Auto or Alexa ecosystem. I'm happy to answer further questions but I'm not trying to start a debate. I completely understand that there are other ways to do everything it can do, including some of the Tesla built-in apps, Google or Siri alternatives and so on. (I started with Echo Auto in some older cars that didn't even have Bluetooth, much less any modern smart infotainment capability. For those cars, it's a real treat.)
Also by the way, I don't use the "Auto Mode" of the Alexa phone app - it provides a simplified large-icon interface, something akin to Android Auto, designed to make it safer to interact with the phone app while driving. I didn't enable that because I don't even look at the phone at all, while using the Echo Auto or pretty much any other time. Not only do I have the issue of switching glasses, but also FSD beta would scream at me and disengage if it caught me looking at the phone!
-----------------------
With all that preamble, I want to share a new installation I just did with the 2nd-gen Echo Auto unit, integrated with the Jowua USB LED hub and its matching sliding tray set. The Jowua setup is available from Amazon and probably several other places; I purchased mine from Abstract Ocean in 2021. It appears that AO still carries it, though as an older product they don't feature it as strongly. It's not particularly cheap so maybe that limited its popularity. I see they've headed a few alternative hubs and trays.
The sliding tray and a selectable style/color of silicone compartmented insert or designed with a slim cutout that conforms to the shape of the installed USB hub. It's a nicely design setup but again not the cheapest for sure - the normal price is around $100 for the complete set, but I've seen them on sale so you could look for that.
Abstract Ocean Jowua USB LED Hub
Abstract Ocean Matching Console Tray+Insert - Multi Styles/Colors
Amazon Jowua USB LED Hub
Amazon Matching Console Tray+Insert - Multi Styles/Colors
Note that his is specifically for the Gen 2 Tesla 3/Y console with the sliding cover and the two USB-C ports down low in the console compartment. The Jowua hub plugs into those ports and provides two USB-A ports down low, as well as USB-C and USB-A ports up on the top edge of the hub. There's also an on/off LED light switch, to illuminate the console better than the small built-in lamp; both of these original and supplemental lights are mostly useful for the deep compartment under the tray, not so much useful for lighting the contents of the upper tray, although it does help a bit with that.
Previously, I had the Amazon Echo Auto (1st gen) sitting completely underneath the sliding tray, plugged into one of the hub's USB-A ports and with the longish cable just laying coiled in the .eep compartment. The high-tech Echo microphone was good enough to hear me address the Alexa with the tray slid rearwards in its normal position, but then closing the sliding console lid would create a double acoustic barrier, and it would then struggle to hear me unless I spoke very loud. So I basically left the cover open and the tray contents exposed.
With the new Echo Auto (2nd gen), I was able to create a cleaner and better installation. The new product has a very small mic unit with its two control buttons (Mute and Action) that are now quite easy to access, though I rarely if ever need to use them. More importantly, the mic is now mounted just above the sliding tray and under the sliding console lid, so Alexa can easily hear me even with the lid closed. More attractive and dust resistant.
Here's a short video of the installed operation; it's on YouTube because I can't seem to upload the video file directly to TMC.
Here are pictures of the Jowua hub after I opened it up, made a few mods and tucked the excess USB cable inside. The modifications were to create a couple of U-shaped cutouts for USB cable entry and exit, and then a few cutouts to thin molded supports inside so that the cable could run next to the PC boards and be bundled up mostly in the center of the inside cavity of the hub. I haven't reopened the hub to take photos of what I did inside; I could do that but I'm not sure if it's needed or worth it (and there may be exactly zero users who want to duplicate my installation
).The first picture shows the Echo Auto not plugged into the hub yet, including a right-angle USB-A adapter I bought to keep the external cable as short as possible:
Amazon USB-A 90 Degree Adapters
The second photo shows the speaker module wrapped around the bottom, with the USB connector plugged in to the hub. I could add mounting tape to further secure the speaker unit, but it doesn't seem necessary. The speaker output fires upwards across the front face of the hub.
To be clear, the speaker is basically used during setup or to advise the user of a failed Bluetooth connection etc. In normal operation, all audio including Alexa's chime and voice responses will come through the Tesla speakers. Likewise, the mic is used only to listen for the wake word ("Alexa", or a couple of other choices if you can figure them instead). Phone conversations are routed through the Tesla mic and speakers.
(The basic principle of the Echo Auto is that it uses the Alexa infrastructure to respond to queries and initiate actions, but the actual audio of those communications, as well as any streamed music, phone calls, message reading or whatever else, take place between the phone and the Tesla Bluetooth audio, as they would if you initiated them using your smartphone.)
The third photo below is similar to the video already linked above. It shows the completed installation. The mic unit magnetically attaches to a little self-stick mount - note that this mount is included when you buy the Echo Auto 2; they offer a bundle with amount for about $5 more, but you don't need the extra one. I chose to stick the magnet directly to the flocked edge of the console under the lid. It seems to be sticking but if it fails, I'll do something else.
I could have used a 3M Command strip or Velcro tape to allow the magnet to be taken off and reattached, to make it easier to remove the sliding tray if needed. As it is, the magnet sticks out over the tray edge, so if I want to remove the tray I have to take out the silicone compartment insert and then the ABS plastic tray can just be maneuvered past the magnet. Not a big problem as I rarely need to remove that tray completely. But you should watch out for this and take care not to completely block the installation and removal of the ABS plastic tray. Again, mounting the magnet with a Command strip or Velcro so it can be removed, or alternatively mounting the mic directly to the console edge using one of those, are some other ideas.
Conclusion: Now that I've done this, I'm glad I purchased the second generation Echo Auto unit. It's a better installation with less stuff cluttering up the console well and now I can use it comfortably with the console lid in the closed position.
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