AI assistant gadgets are hitting the market at a blistering tempo that none of us can sustain with, however I’ve seen a regarding development: a whole lack of consumer — and even developer — management. I’ve been following the event of Ubo Pod for fairly some time now and it’s clear that it’s a completely different form of machine that provides each customers and builders true freedom. And now you lastly have the chance to get an Ubo Pod machine by backing the Kickstarter marketing campaign.
Ubo Pod is a Raspberry Pi-based AI assistant machine filled with {hardware} for helpful interactions. After I first reported on Ubo Pod final yr, I used to be most excited by the way in which its interface would simplify deployment. As an alternative of forcing customers to resort to a sophisticated web-based setup, the built-in display screen and buttons would allow them to configure every thing straight by means of the machine. However the AI assistant panorama has modified dramatically since then and Ubo Pod’s options make much more sense now.
Ubo Pod isn’t tied to any particular AI mannequin or software program ecosystem. Fairly, it’s a {hardware} platform with a core Ubo App (written in Python) that exposes its API to no matter software program the developer wish to incorporate. Need to construct a Rust-based residence automation server and let customers work together with that by means of a Google Gemini AI assistant? You are able to do that, as a result of Ubo Pod offers you full management. From a consumer perspective, it will likely be straightforward to put in software program packages that give Ubo Pod any desired functionality.
Contained in the engaging Ubo Pod enclosure, there’s a stack of {hardware} modules designed to interface with a Raspberry Pi 4 Mannequin B or a Raspberry Pi 5. The {hardware} features a seven-button keypad, a 1.54” shade TFT show, twin stereo microphones, stereo audio system, an RGB LED mild ring, a 5MP digital camera (with privateness cowl), an infrared transmitter and receiver, a temperature sensor, an ambient mild sensor, and a 32GB microSD card for storage (upgraded NVMe SSD playing cards additionally accessible).
Ubo Pod’s mechanical parts, PCBs, and software program stack are all open supply. In reality, you’ll be able to strive the Ubo Core utility proper now when you’ve got a suitable Raspberry Pi helpful. However by backing the Kickstarter marketing campaign, you get all of that nice {hardware} in a pleasant enclosure at an inexpensive value.
In case you’d wish to again the Kickstarter marketing campaign, you’ve got till November seventh to take action. The Ubo Professional 4 – Launch Day Particular is $109. Rewards ought to ship between December and March.
