Best Raspberry Pi Projects
These projects are some of the best around and we’ll be sure to share all of the juicy details about how they work and what you’ll need to make them at home, if you can. You don’t always need the best Raspberry Pi accessories and HATs to make an incredible project but they sure can help add a variety of features to your creation.
Find your preferred Raspberry Pi hardware at PiShop!
Raspberry Pi Smart Pokédex
Some makers just want to be the very best and Same Makes is clearly one of them. This Raspberry Pi smart Pokédex looks and functions just like the one from the fictional Pokémon universe.
Why we love it:
We’ve seen Pokédex-shaped handheld consoles but never one that aims to reproduce the original purpose of the device. Users can point the smart Pokédex at objects and it will use AI to assess then identify the object out loud.
Read: Raspberry Pi Smart Pokédex
Raspberry Pi Automatic Sustainable Farming Robot
The best part about perusing through Raspberry Pi projects is appreciating their versatility. This Pi is being used to power a sustainable farming robot. This four-wheeled creation helps manage various farming needs and can locomote across rough terrain.
Why we love it:
We knew it probably wouldn’t hurt to add a Raspberry Pi to our emergency prep list but now we’re certain they would also be a critical asset to building a futuristic farm of our dreams. This project is also a great example of the Pi’s potential in industrial uses.
Read: Raspberry Pi Farm Robot
Raspberry Pi Lego Star Finding Lego Robot
You can build almost anything with Lego bricks—throw in a Raspberry Pi and you can make your Lego creations do almost anything. Reddit maker EldenGoat has created a Lego-based Pi project that can be used to locate stars in the sky.
Why we love it:
This is, simply put, a stellar project. We love Lego and we love Pi but this project is just out of this world. It’s hard not to feel inspired by something built using our favorite childhood building medium.
Read: Raspberry Pi Star Finder
Raspberry Pi Pico Fiber-Optic Display
Most developers consider their projects art but this project created by maker ElliotMade leaves no room for doubt. This Pi-powered fiber optic display illuminated fiber optic cables using an RGB matrix for a dazzling rainbow light show.
Why we love it:
Blinking an LED is often the first project makers tackle with the Raspberry Pi but there’s no reason it can develop into a more complicated design and this project is a shining example.
Read: Raspberry Pi Fiber Optic Display
Raspberry Pi UV Custom PCB Machine
This project was made for makers who make projects. Dubbed The Medusa, this project is designed to create PCB prototypes using UV light, saving makers tons of time when it comes to developing custom circuit boards.
Why we love it:
It’s a Pi-powered machine made for making more pi-powered projects. It is hard not to appreciate such a valuable tool that relies mainly on our favorite SBC. It’s useful, well-designed, and guaranteed to make a few developers feel a hint of jealousy.
Read: Raspberry Pi UV PCB Machine
Raspberry Pi 3D Scanner OpenScan
Photogrammetry is the process of using a camera to scan a real life object to create a 3D rendering of that object. OpenScan makes it possible to power your own photogrammetry rig with a Raspberry Pi. The latest update makes room for some seriously high quality results as it supports the latest HD Arducam module.
Why we love it:
This project goes to show that it’s possible to create professional grade technology with a little ingenuity and a Raspberry Pi. The latest progress on OpenScan helps amp up the quality for DIY photogrammetry rigs.
Read: Raspberry Pi 3D Scanner OpenScan
Raspberry Pi Security Camera Window
Looking for a new perspective? This Raspberry Pi-powered window provides maker Snicker1633 with a view of their home security camera while they’re working at the office. Instead of using your typical pane of glass, it features a huge monitor with some molding attached to resemble a window.
Why we love it:
When we first found this project, we couldn’t help but exclaim “Great Scott!” This simple project shows how far a clever mind can take us into the future. If you’ve ever wanted to tune into the scenery channel, now is your chance.
Read: Raspberry Pi Security Camera Window
Raspberry Pi Trinocular Microscope Image Capturing
Trinocular microscopes open up the microscopic world to the digital realm. With the help of a Raspberry Pi, Gary Croft has managed to record both still images and video for an incredible up close look at the micro world around us.
Why we love it:
This is one of the coolest projects you can find as a science lover. If you want to start a microbiology laboratory at home, this Pi-powered image capturing system is a great place to start.
Read: Raspberry Pi Trinocular Microscope Image Capturing
Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W Open-Source Handheld
We knew it wouldn’t be long before the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W appeared as the main board for a custom handheld. This system was developed by Penk Chen and features a keyboard and screen in the form of a foldable handheld device.
Why we love it:
Of course we were excited to see the Zero 2 W get some love but what we really appreciate here is the finished design. This handheld looks sleek and fits a form factor you just don’t see often in many handheld projects.
Read: Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W Open-Source Handheld
Raspberry Pi Automatic Vignette Generator
This Raspberry Pi-powered Vignette Generator was created by Andy Adkin. If you’re not familiar with vignettes, it’s basically a short video clip comprised of photos taken over a set amount of time. In this project, Adkin is compressing 15 minutes of footage into 15 second clips to be shared with Twitter.
Why we love it:
This project stood out to us as a fun, Pi-fueled way to connect with others during lockdowns. It might be hard to get out and travel right now, but Adkin’s project provides a quick glimpse for curious parties of a seaside view in Wales.
Read: Raspberry Pi Automatic Vignette Generator
Raspberry Pi Pico Never-ending Breakbeats
Tod Kurt, aka Todbot is using our favorite microcontroller, the Raspberry Pi Pico to power this never-ending breakbeat system. If you’re looking to jam, he was nice enough to share all of the details for anyone curious about recreating it at home.
Why we love it:
We’re always looking for excuses to get down and it’s hard to say no when a Raspberry Pi is thrown into the mix. This project is super niche but also super groovy. If you’re looking for a music-based project to tinker around with, check out this one for sure.
Read: Raspberry Pi Pico Never-ending Breakbeats
Raspberry Pi Rubik’s Cube Solver
Solving a Rubik’s cube is arguably the whole point of having one. That said, programming a Raspberry Pi to do things for you it’s main purpose. In this project, the Raspberry Pi has won as Andrea Favero is using one to automatically solve Rubik’s cubes.
Why we love it:
Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should but with Raspberry Pi projects, that’s half the fun. The process of evaluating the cube, planning the resolution, and seeing it through is really impressive on its own—but doubly so when a Raspberry Pi does it for us.
Read: Raspberry Pi Rubik’s Cube Solver
Raspberry Pi Smart Shopping Cart
This Raspberry Pi Smart Shopping Cart proves that there’s no point in buying new what you can make yourself. With a few components and a Raspberry Pi, you can devise a system capable of managing inventory and tallying sales.
Why we love it:
It’s almost always worth it in life to make something yourself. Whether it’s for cost benefit or the learning experience along the way, this project is a great example of how easy it is to construct a business solution from scratch.
Read: Raspberry Pi Smart Shopping Cart
Raspberry Pi Oscilloscope
There’s nothing worse than needing a tool that you just can’t seem to find—but where there’s a Pi, there’s a way! This project uses a Raspberry Pi to power a custom oscilloscope complete with a smartphone display.
Why we love it:
This is a super useful tool that blows our mind that it can be made with just a Raspberry Pi Pico. According to How To Electronics, the configuration is capable of detecting frequencies of up to 250KHz.
Read: Raspberry Pi Oscilloscope
USB4VC Raspberry Pi Retro Peripheral Adapter
Playing on old computers is always a treat in itself but if you’ve ever wanted to use modern USB peripherals with them, you’re going to have a hard time. Thankfully, DekuNukem created this awesome USB4VC adapter that converts the USB input into a recognizable format for vintage PCs using a Raspberry Pi.
Why we love it:
We love vintage computers, we love Raspberry Pi—this project was a recipe for success from the start. It’s always exciting to see projects that help prolong the life of older hardware and this one adds a fun way to interface with older computers that might not otherwise get much attention.
Read: USB4VC Raspberry Pi Retro Peripheral Adapter
Read more: https://www.tomshardware.com/features/best-raspberry-pi-projects
