There are tons of how to place your Raspberry Pi to some good use. Turning it right into a robo-dog is only one of them.
This was made potential with the Pi Canine Robotic Canine Equipment from SunFounder.
On this article, I am going to share my expertise and consider on utilizing this package to construct a robotic canine primarily based on Raspberry Pi.
I will be sincere. I attempted one thing like this after greater than a decade. Though I’m not completely new to this territory as I did some primary robotics as an undergraduate, enjoying with microcontrollers and sensors however that was a very long time in the past.
However 2024 is the yr I get out of my consolation zone, eliminate my laziness and discover slightly new issues like homelab, extra of self internet hosting and a few newbie stage embedded system and robotics.
SunFounder PiDog Robotic Canine Equipment for Raspberry Pi
![Raspberry Pi based Pi Dog](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/pi-dog-modules.webp)
The PiDog by SunFounder is a robotic package designed for the Raspberry Pi platform. It has a spread of sensors and it might probably carry out quite a few methods thanks to those sensors.
For instance, you possibly can pet it due to the contact sensor and it’ll reply by wagging its tail or barking.
It’s constructed with an all-metal design, making it strong and sturdy. The robotic has 4 legs, every with three levels of freedom due to servo motors, permitting for a variety of actions.
The ultrasound sensor seems just like the eyes and helps it detect obstacles. The general look resembles a pet. It is a lot higher than lots of these Boston Dynamic look alike robo-dog kits.
This package has a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 to allow AI and machine studying capabilities. It additionally features a charger for the onboard LiPo battery, making certain wire-free operation for half-hour or so.
The PiDog package is appropriate with Pi 4 and Pi Zero 2 W. It ought to work with Pi 5 too however I’ve not examined it.
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The package prices $179.99 however it DOES NOT embody a Raspberry Pi.
The methods it might probably carry out
![Pi Dog is a robot dog kit for Raspberry Pi](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/pi-dog.webp)
SunFounder offers some pattern Python applications and you may run them to make your Pi Canine carry out a number of methods. They embody:
MarchingSitting, standing, panting, resting etcHowling, wagging tail, barkingTilting head (like a canine)Shaking handPush ups (sure, actually)Fly like superman (when picked up)Face trackingResponding to the touch (pat on head)Detect hazard (by ultrasound) and barkTrack pink ball
This official video demos a few of its predefined expertise.
These are a number of the preset actions offered by the SunFounder applications. Since it’s primarily based on Python, OpenCV and different open supply initiatives, you possibly can modify the code and educate your canine some new methods.
My expertise of constructing a robotic canine out of Raspberry Pi
There are three elements to constructing the Pi-Canine.
Assembling the hardwareInstalling the software program on Raspberry PiCalibrating the assembled {hardware}
Now, assembling the Pi Canine package isn’t any easy process. As per the included directions sheet, there are 73 steps in complete.
That is a problem however an excellent one. You should have endurance and time to assemble the package.
Fortunately, the offered sheet lined each instruction intimately. All of the elements have been correctly marked. There are quite a few sorts of screws concerned and so they have been all packed of their respective poly-bags. Fortunately, SunFounder offered greater than the required variety of screws, so even in case you lose a couple of tiny ones, your venture is effectively screwed or not screwed (lame humor alert 😆).
The package additionally contains two screwdrivers. Principally you get all the things it’s good to put the items collectively, besides the Raspberry Pi. You want your personal Pi, it isn’t included within the package.
Many screws have been actually tiny and proved difficult for my fats fingers. In the event you simply get annoyed, strive some zen music to calm your self.
Each assembling the {hardware} and putting in the required software program takes time. I did it in two evenings. Do not decide me for being sluggish. You may see the official meeting movies. It’s in two elements and so they complete over 50 minutes. That is when the video is reduce brief to indicate the steps rapidly.
My expertise with the Pi Canine
It gave me a way of accomplishment after I completed constructing the Pi Canine. I used to be pleased however my 3 yr outdated daughter, Ushika, was extra excited than me.
It was an enormous reduction after I powered it on for the primary time and it reacted correctly. I shared a few movies on It is FOSS Instagram account. Let me share them right here as effectively.
Did I inform you that this robo canine also can do push-ups? Seems to be tremendous cute. It bought Ushika excited for push-up as effectively.
Here is the way it works. Energy on the Pi Canine and look ahead to the Pi besides and be prepared. SSH into the Pi and management the canine or situation it some instructions by working devoted applications. The small print can be found on its doc portal.
It can be managed through SunFounder’s cellular app. That too labored simply high quality in my experiment.
Few hiccups
All the things was not clean and I did encounter a couple of points right here and there.
For instance, whereas assembling, I tousled the contact sensor by pushing it too arduous within the unsuitable course. I feel it may be mounted with a bit soldering however at current, my Pi Canine doesn’t reply to the touch. I am going to work on fixing it some weekend.
The pattern Python program offered by SunFounder are fairly uncooked. One program did not reply to Ctrl+C to exit the command. I needed to kill the method explicitly. This downside is now mounted by the SunFounder builders.
Assist is just not far-off
It’s only pure that you simply encounter points along with your venture. Maybe some half is just not working as anticipated.
The nice factor is that SunFounder has an lively discussion board the place you possibly can search assist and clear your doubt. It’s effectively regulated and you may see that the moderators are lively.
Sunfounder Discussion board
A spot for product customers of sunfounder to debate cool issues.
![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/standard17/uploads/sunfounder/original/1X/9b6f0e80eb7727a8f1cef85c09e72edde2b0966b.png)
Conclusion
This Pi-Canine package is just not a plug and play system. It is a DIY, assemble package the place you spend time placing up all of the items collectively. Considerably like constructing a Lego venture. Solely right here you do it each {hardware} and software program smart.
When you have teenaged kids in household, this may very well be a enjoyable weekend exercise with them. You must maintain endurance as there are a number of items and steps concerned. Academics also can use it of their labs to encourage and lead the scholars in the direction of robotics.
However the general satisfaction of constructing a robo-dog, the whooshing sound it makes when the servo motors begin, offers you an excellent feeling.
My three-year-old daughter loves it. She likes the way it reacts to her command or shakes her hand. After all, I do not go away the 2 unattended. In any other case, the canine may not have the ability to stroll once more 😉
By default, Pi-Canine works for a lot of actions. I nonetheless want it to have a module to activate and management it through voice with out utilizing the app. That might give it the actual AI canine feeling. Utilizing controllers is so dated within the 2020s. Because it might simply be a software program change, maybe the builders would add it (in the event that they learn this evaluate). In any other case, if in case you have sufficient Python expertise, you might also strive doing it by yourself.
The package prices $179 and that doesn’t embody the worth of a Raspberry Pi. In the event you can afford it and you’ve got the temperament of constructing issues, this may very well be an fascinating vacation venture. You may spend a day or two assembling the package. In a while, you possibly can take it up as a coding venture and work to show your canine some new expertise.
There’s a studying curve concerned however it definitely offers the educational alternative to discover the world of robotics.
Please word that Raspberry Pi is just not included within the package.
SunFounder has many extra such meeting kits accessible for Raspberry Pi and Arduino for enthusiaists, makers and tinkerers. My eyes are on a moon rover. Maybe I am going to get my palms on it this summer time.