Microcomputer developer Raspberry Pi is adding artificial intelligence (AI) to its latest motherboard model, the Raspberry Pi Foundation said Tuesday.
The Raspberry Pi AI kit, developed in collaboration with artificial intelligence processor developer Hailo, can be used to upgrade the Raspberry Pi 5 and retails for $70, the UK-based charity says. New AI upgrades allow small, inexpensive computers to run AI models including chatbots, object recognition and posture detection when attached to a camera.
“If you’ve ever wanted to experiment with the world of neural networks, artificial intelligence, and machine learning on Raspberry Pi 5, we have the perfect product for you,” wrote Naushir Patuck, senior principal engineer at Raspberry Pi.
According to Raspberry Pi, the AI kit comes pre-assembled with the Hailo-8L “entry-level” AI accelerator module, designed to support products that require limited AI capacity or low performance.
The small, inexpensive, modular Raspberry Pi hardware has fostered a large DIY community, using credit-card-sized computers to power everything from small media centers to Bitcoin nodes. Raspberry Pi is a popular tool for teaching kids how to build and program computers as well as other projects.
According to Raspberry Pi documentation, the AI Kit connects to the Raspberry Pi 5 motherboard using an M.2 HAT+ adapter, allowing the AI Kit to run independently of the Raspberry Pi motherboard.
Raspberry Pi motherboards use Raspberry Pi OS, a Unix-based operating system, which must be configured to take advantage of AI add-ons.
“When the host Raspberry Pi 5 runs the latest Raspberry Pi OS image, it automatically detects the Hailo module and makes (the neural processing unit) available for AI computing tasks,” Raspberry Pi wrote.
Once installed, Raspberry Pi users can navigate to Hailo’s “Model Zoo”, which features a library of pre-trained AI models.
Founded in 2017, Tel Aviv-based Hailo develops AI hardware, accelerators, and systems used in self-driving cars and generative AI models. Last April, Hailo announced that it had closed a $120 million funding round, coinciding with the launch of its latest AI accelerator, Hailo-10.
“We’re excited to support Raspberry Pi and empower our vibrant community of professional engineers and creative creators with cutting-edge AI capabilities,” Hailo CEO and co-founder Orr Danon said in a separate statement. “Our partnership with the world’s leading provider of single-board computers will usher in a new era of computing powered by high-performance AI processing capacity.”
The Raspberry Pi Foundation and Hailo did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Decrypt.
editor Ryan Ozawa.
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