For this solution, we built a machine learning algorithm that is able to detect when a call goes to voicemail by listening to the beep sound with 96% accuracy. When the call is picked up by the answering machine, we perform a text-to-speech action(TTS) which is then recorded by the answering machine.

To run the app using Docker run the following command in your terminal:

docker-compose up

This will create a new image with all the dependencies and run it at http://localhost:8000.

You can declare the required environment variables by editing the docker-compose.yml file.

To run this on your machine you'll need an up-to-date version of Python 3.

Clone the github repo and run:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Create a .env file with the following

MY_LVN={YOUR_NEXMO_NUMBER}
APP_ID={YOUR_NEXMO_APPLICATION_ID}
PRIVATE_KEY={PATH_TO_APPLICATION_PRIVATE_KEY}

By default the server runs on port 8000.

Tools like ngrok are great for exposing ports on your local machine to the internet. If you haven't done this before, check out this guide.

If you are working with a local install you can run the server using this command:

python websocket-demo.py

You will need to create a new Nexmo application in order to work with this app:

Install the CLI by following these instructions. Then create a new Nexmo application that also sets up your answer_url and event_url for the app running locally on your machine.

nexmo app:create answering-machine-detection http://<your_hostname>/ncco http://<your_hostname>/event

This will return an application ID. Make a note of it.

If you don't have a number already in place, you will need to rent one. This can also be achieved using the CLI by running this command:

nexmo number:buy

Finally, link your new number to the application you created by running:

nexmo link:app YOUR_NUMBER YOUR_APPLICATION_ID

With your application running, make a call to the purchased number.

The application will ask to you to enter a phone number. Enter any phone number you like, as long as it is picked up by voicemail. The call will go to voicemail and the answering machine model will start listenting on the call.

When a beep is detected, the application performs a Text-To-Speech, with the phrase, Answering Machine Detected, and the call will hangup.