If you're in the mood for a cool Raspberry Pi project to keep you busy this fall, you're in luck. We've put together a list of some of the best Raspberry Pi projects we've had the honor of featuring over the last month and firmly believe they deserve a little extra attention.
These makers use everything from the latest Raspberry Pi 5 to early boards that helped pave the way for this beloved line of hardware. They also implement some of the best Raspberry Pi accessories and HATs to bring their creative ideas to life. So we'll be sure to link you to all of the hardware they used so you can see exactly how they work and maybe even recreate them for yourself at home.
Raspberry Pi Pico Paw Patrol Toy Arcade Controller
Sure, you might hav played Sega's Super Hang-On before, but we'd bet cash money you haven't played it with a Paw Patrol toy as a controller—unless you're Dr. Tom Tilley. Using one of our favorite SBCs, he's transformed this kids toy into a working input device that lets you play the game using it like a steering wheel.
Why we love it:
This is a hilarious and inventive way to recyle old hardware and breathe new life into an otherwise obsolete toy. It also makes for a head turning headline that we couldn't help but share again with our readers who love microelectronics as much as we do.
Read: Raspberry Pi Pico Paw Patrol Toy Arcade Controller
Raspberry Pi Pico Model Train Level Crossing Lights
You can get seriously creative with model trains when throwing a Raspberry Pi into the mix and this project showcases that idea incredibly well. Using a Raspberry Pi Pico, Brendan McGrath has created working level crossing lights that work like real world ones do but on a much smaller scale.
Why we love it:
This is far from the first Pi-powered model train project we've seen but it's one of the latest and one we'll definitely keep in mind when working on tiny transportation projects of our own. It's one thing to make an LED flash, it's another to make it responsive to how hardware works in the real world.
Read: Raspberry Pi Pico Model Train Level Crossing Lights
Raspberry Pi 5 'Nostalgia Machine'
Anyone can make a Raspberry Pi streaming platform but maker and developer Shan Mason took the idea and ran with it—all the way back to 1980 to recreate a more classic TV viewing experience. You don't pick and choose what you watch and when as this Raspberry Pi retro TV plays media on a schedule, taking into account the time, day of the week and even holidays.
Why we love it:
This is a really cool idea and it's great to see it implemented so well. It's just icing on the cake (or should we say Pi) that it uses not one but two Raspberry Pi boards to pull off. The hardware is tucked neatly inside a cigar box that sits next to the old CRT TV which really just adds to the vintage setting.
Read: Raspberry Pi 5 'Nostalgia Machine'
Raspberry Pi AI EYE Camera
If you like projects with AI, you're going to love this convoluted AI-powered creation from maker Oscar Wilmerdingh. Using a Raspberry Pi, this camera (dubbed the AI EYE camera) captures an image, uses AI to create a text-based description of the image and then recreates it using another AI app based on the text that was generated.
Why we love it:
This project has no business in any practical situation but it's such a fun idea and works great. A lot of work went into its design included the beautiful 3D printed shell it's housed in. We appreciate all of the effort that went into its creation and firmly believe it deserves extra attention from our readers.
Read: Raspberry Pi AI EYE Camera
Raspberry Pi 'Bumpin Sticker'
Guy Dupont's creative juices must be flowing from a neverending fountain because he's at it again with what he calls his 'Bumpin' Sticker' project. This Pi-powered bumper sticker automatically updates to reflect whatever song he's currently streaming so driver know exactly what he's grooving to in real-time.
Why we love it:
This is one of those projects that really sticks out—no pun intended. It's a fun idea that's incredibly well-executed. If it were a commercial product, no doubt people would line up at the chance to buy one for themselves. Until then, however, you'll just have to follow his lead and make it yourself from scratch.
Read: Raspberry Pi 'Bumpin Sticker'
Tom's Hardware Projects
It's seriously impossible for us to look at Raspberry Pi projects all day long and not create some of our own. We love the chance to tinker and share our work in form of tutorials so you can follow along at home, as well. Here's what the staff of Tom's Hardware has been up to lately as well as links to the guides we put together for you to check out.
How to install MicroPython for RISC-V on the Raspberry Pi Pico 2
Have you been interested in tinkering with RISC-V on the Raspberry Pi Pico 2? Us, too! Thankfully, Les has done all of the brunt work for us and put together this amazing tutorial showcasing how you can set up MicroPython for RISC-V on the newest Pico 2 microcontroller.
Read: How to install MicroPython for RISC-V on the Raspberry Pi Pico 2
Cytron Motion 2350 Pro Review: The RP2350 Robot Platform
There's a reason Cytron has become an industry standard in the Pi community for tinkering with robotics. In this review, Les shows us all the ins and outs of the newest Cytron Motion 2350. If you're not pumped yet, you will be! This board is awesome and definitely worth taking a close look at.
Read: Cytron Motion 2350 Pro Review: The RP2350 Robot Platform
