I noticed that the camera I had inside my Pi2-D2 fell out of its mounting. Not surprised though as it is literally held together with tape and cardboard (not kidding, literally). I decided to take him apart and re-mount the camera. I estimated it would probably take me around 15 minutes to take him apart, remount the camera and put him back together.

Parkinson’s law states that work expands to fill the time alloted for its completion. This 15 minute project was a great example of that law in action.

6 Hours Later…

Pi2-D2 previously had a Raspberry Pi Zero for brains. That was enough to stream a video feed from the camera from its eye, control the LEDs on its head and run the stepper motor that pans the whole head assembly to pan the camera view. There’s also a set of speakers inside the body so I can Airplay audio into it using shairport.

All of that was upgraded to a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ to make everything faster, especially the video stream. The most challenging part was finding a way to mount the much bigger RPI 3 inside the head assembly. I had to custom cut some plastic plates that would make a flat surface on Pi2-D2’s dome head so I can mount the RPI 3 there. I also cut some plastic plates for mounting the camera so I can get rid of the ghetto piece of cardboard holding it up. That was in fact the reason this supposed 15 min job was even necessary.

I also had a Google AIY Voice Kit lying around (I am probably the only person that hoards these kits). You can find them easily at your local Microcenter for just 5 bucks. That’s a great deal even if you just want to use the Google AIY Voice board as a sound card. The mic it comes with is also pretty good at picking up voice from a distance.

Prepping the patient for the surgery

Before the brain surgery

After the successful brain surgery

Eye transplant procedure

Ear augmentation procedure with a Google AIY Voice Kit

Soul Transplant procedure more commonly known as software migration

Bringing back his “motor” skills

Google Assistant on the disembodied head of Pi2-D2

Mouth errr Voice transplant?

Patient post surgery recovery area

I am so proud of Pi2-D2. He is slowly growing up to be a real boy! 🤣 He can see, look around, speak and now hear and even answer questions! Soon enough he’ll be leading my robot army 😆. He is going to be one adorable robot overlord.