Pi-C.A.R.D: An AI-Powered Voice Assistant for Raspberry Pi

Welcome to Pi-C.A.R.D, a versatile AI assistant designed to operate on your Raspberry Pi. This innovative voice assistant is capable of engaging in conversations similar to a standard Large Language Model (LLM) such as ChatGPT. But it goes a step further—if equipped with a camera, Pi-C.A.R.D can take pictures, describe what it sees, and answer questions about the images!

Core Features

• Voice Activation: Activate Pi-C.A.R.D by simply saying the wake word. The assistant will listen for your commands, maintaining context until you choose to end the conversation.
• Button Interaction: Prefer a more tactile approach? You can use a GPIO button to start your interaction, enhancing the user experience.
• Configurable Memory: Pi-C.A.R.D can remember past interactions and provide context-aware responses, making conversations feel natural. Adjust the memory size in the config.py file for faster responses.
• Offline Operation: Designed with privacy in mind, Pi-C.A.R.D does not require an internet connection, ensuring your data remains secure.

How It Works

After setting up your Raspberry Pi with a USB microphone, speaker, and camera, simply run the assistant by executing:

python main.py  

You can also test the button-based interaction using:

python main_button.py  

Pi-C.A.R.D leverages advanced models for audio transcription and visual recognition, powered by libraries like whisper.cpp and llama.cpp, providing accurate and efficient processing.

Hardware Requirements

• Raspberry Pi 5 Model B
• USB Microphone
• Speaker
• Camera

For best results, ensure that you have the necessary components connected properly and follow our hardware recommendations for seamless operation.

Benchmarks

Gain insights into the performance of various models with approximate response times included in our documentation. Optimize your experience by overclocking your Raspberry Pi, keeping in mind the associated risks and your cooling setup.

Future Enhancements

We are actively working on adding new features, refining performance, and expanding the capabilities of Pi-C.A.R.D. Contributions are welcome, so if you have ideas or improvements, feel free to submit a pull request!

With Pi-C.A.R.D, you can explore the capabilities of an AI assistant on your Raspberry Pi, making your interactions engaging and private. Join us in revolutionizing the way we interact with technology!