Card-playing robot has Raspberry Pi brain and 3D printed arm
Some Raspberry Pi projects are simply too fascinating to ignore, and Dominic LeBeouf’s card-playing robot, “Cardi,” is definitely one of those standout creations. This inventive Pi-powered robot is designed to play card games, demonstrating not only impressive programming skills but also creative hardware design.
Every great project starts with a spark of inspiration, and for LeBeouf, it came from watching another maker’s video of a card-playing robot designed to play UNO with AI assistance. However, LeBeouf decided to take a different approach to make his project more accessible to the broader maker community. Instead of using AI, he opted for a more predictable and straightforward programming setup.
Cardi’s Design and Functionality
The robot, affectionately named Cardi, is built with a 3D-printed body that includes an articulated arm and trays for sorting cards during gameplay. While AI could potentially handle more complex game strategies, LeBeouf chose to teach Cardi a simpler card game called Skat, which can be programmed with a well-defined set of rules.
Cardi’s movement and actions are powered by a Raspberry Pi, which is connected to several servos that control the 3D-printed arm. The arm picks up cards using a small vacuum pump fitted with a suction cup attachment, allowing for precise handling of the cards. To read the cards, LeBeouf employed an RFID module, which scans wireless tags attached to each card, ensuring Cardi knows which card it’s dealing with at all times.
The Raspberry Pi serves as the main controller for Cardi, coordinating the servos and RFID module to enable fluid gameplay. Unfortunately, LeBeouf hasn’t shared the source code for the project publicly, so we can’t dive into the specifics of his programming setup. However, it’s clear that the code handles everything from the robot’s card-drawing mechanics to the logic for playing Skat.
LeBeouf has provided plenty of insights into the development of Cardi on his YouTube channel. His videos showcase the robot in action, giving a detailed look at its mechanical movements and how it processes the game.
By avoiding more complex AI algorithms and focusing on a straightforward, well-documented build, LeBeouf has created a project that’s not only fun but also accessible for other makers who want to try their hand at building a robot capable of playing cards. Cardi’s blend of creativity, engineering, and programming exemplifies the kind of ingenuity the Raspberry Pi community is known for.
For those interested in robotics, Raspberry Pi projects, or just unique DIY endeavors, checking out LeBeouf’s YouTube channel is a must. It’s filled with detailed explanations, demonstrations, and plenty of inspiration for your next Raspberry Pi adventure.
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