Iron Man Fanatic Builds His Own JARVIS

Like a lot of us, Chad Barraford watched Iron Man and lusted after a home-helper just like JARVIS. But, unlike most people, Chad decided making his own JARVIS couldn't be that difficult. Using a four-year-old old Mac Mini with built in speech recognition, Barraford managed to create a 'digital life assistant' that greets him by name when he gets home; tells him the how long he's been gone and lists the temperature of the house. It can also turn on and off lights; recognize his close friend Meaghan; tell whether the dog is inside or outside and can keep him updated about Facebook notifications, breaking news and FedEx Shipments.

It doesn't end either. Chad sometimes gets bad migraines. If he notifies JARVIS via text message on the way home, the lights in his house will be dimmed, his boss will be informed and there'll be a Facebook status notifying his friends list that he's not well.

The whole thing cost Barraford under $700 to make, including wall speakers and an xTag wireless microphone. You might expect someone with a homemade setup like this to be lusting after something more high tech and expensive that's purpose-built, but Chad is happy with his own make-shift system.

"I’m not a big fan of most of those technologies anyway. They’re overly expensive and clumsy to use," Barraford told Boston.com, adding that his DLA isn't about home automation; it's about home integration.

Check out the introduction to JARVIS below. More videos showing off JARVIS' talents are available on Chad's YouTube channel or on the Project Jarvis Website.

And here's a bonus video of an Iron Man 2 trailer:

  • mrddr6
    Thats the first time that I have ever heard of a good use of a Mac.
    Reply
  • sliem
    Unfortunately the vid tells very little, so you have to go to the website. I was hoping some kind of demo right there.
    Reply
  • aletoil
    Better not let Job's hear about this. Might take old Chad on a drive to "Harness" his skills. Next video we see of Chad is "Igotrippedoff."
    Reply
  • schmich
    He should work on this with Linuxmce instead, it already has the whole platform done :/
    Reply
  • mlopinto2k1
    You know, it doesn't really seem that impressive. I admire the guy. It just goes to show you that a little bit of effort goes a loooong way. News ads and god knows who else is talking about including a news alert on the front page of Tom's Hardware is SURE to get him seen!
    Reply
  • mlopinto2k1
    mrddr6Thats the first time that I have ever heard of a good use of a Mac.That's just downright negative. Shame on you!
    Reply
  • Lutfij
    Hats off for even trying to do such a thing!
    Reply
  • kelemvor4
    aletoilBetter not let Job's hear about this. Might take old Chad on a drive to "Harness" his skills. Next video we see of Chad is "Igotrippedoff."LOL
    I think it's more likely that apple would send this guy a cease and desist then sue for violating the license agreement as this was not a preapproved use for a mac.
    Reply
  • Camikazi
    mlopinto2k1That's just downright negative. Shame on you!Reread their comment, says "This is the first time that I have ever..." Notice the I, meaning in their experience, which might be true (doubtful but possible). If they would have posted " This is the first time a Mac has been put to good use" then it would be a lie, but the way they said it could actually be true to them. Then again, I think they were being sarcastic :P
    Reply
  • B-Unit
    kelemvor4LOLI think it's more likely that apple would send this guy a cease and desist then sue for violating the license agreement as this was not a preapproved use for a mac.
    Too true. Its only 'innovative' if Steve thinks of it.
    Reply