Project Hub /Artificial Intelligence & Edge ML/NLP / LLM Hardware Interface/Chatbot Zero - AI on Raspberry Pi zero

Intermediate

RASPBERRY PI

Project Specific

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

Chatbot Zero - AI on Raspberry Pi zero

A pocket-sized AI chatbot built using a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W that operates like a futuristic walkie-talkie with a built-in screen, microphone, speaker, and push-to-talk button.

Originally published on Hackaday.io

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

Raspberry Pi 3 - Model B+ 1.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core Processor with 1 GB Ram (Original) Rs. 5,400.00
10pcs 5mm RED Diffused Light Emitting Diodes - LEDs Set Rs. 39.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: LCD (generic / unspecified)
Battery (generic / unspecified)
Supercap / UPS / Power Bank Module
Enclosure / Box / Case

Browse all components

How It Works

Chatbot Zero operates as a self-contained, pocket-sized artificial intelligence assistant powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W. The system integrates audio input and output through the Whisplay HAT, which features an on-board microphone to capture your voice and a built-in speaker to play back responses. When you press the physical GPIO button on the HAT, the system registers the trigger and begins recording audio. This captured sound is processed through the sound chip on the HAT and handled by a TypeScript server running on the Raspberry Pi. Depending on your configuration, the server sends the voice data to the OpenAI API or communicates with a local language model via Ollama to generate a conversational response. Once the text response is received, it is synthesized back into speech or displayed visually on the 1.69-inch LCD screen. The RGB LED on the HAT provides visual feedback regarding the device's status, such as listening, thinking, or speaking. To ensure the device is completely portable, power is supplied by a PiSugar 3 1200mAh battery and UPS module, allowing the entire circuit to run untethered inside a custom 3D resin-printed enclosure.

Why Build This

Create your own portable, pocket-sized AI walkie-talkie to experiment with voice-controlled computing.

Learn how to integrate hardware peripherals like screens, microphones, and batteries with a single-board computer.

Explore modern edge AI by connecting a physical microcontroller setup to cloud APIs or local language models.

Real-World Application

Portable voice-activated AI assistants, local edge computing smart devices, and custom interactive walkie-talkie interfaces.

Skills You'll Learn

TypeScript server programming

audio capture and playback configuration

I2C and SPI peripheral interfacing

GPIO button interrupt handling

power management with UPS modules

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Technology Tags

RASPBERRY PI

CHATBOT

PYTHON

TYPESCRIPT

OLLAMA

OPENAI API

3D PRINTING

HARDWARE HAT

AUDIO PROCESSING

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Chatbot Zero run entirely offline?

Yes, if you configure the software to use a local LLM via Ollama instead of connecting to the OpenAI cloud API.

How long does the battery last on a single charge?

The included PiSugar 3 features a 1200mAh battery, which provides portable runtime depending on screen usage, audio playback frequency, and whether you are processing AI locally or in the cloud.

Do I need any special tools to assemble the enclosure?

The project uses a custom 3D resin-printed enclosure designed to house the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, Whisplay HAT, and PiSugar battery together safely without requiring advanced fabrication tools.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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