It’s hard to believe it’s already fall but here we are with a fresh batch of Raspberry Pi projects to show off some of the best of what the Pi community has been up to this past month. While it’s still hard to buy a Raspberry Pi 4 or even buy a Raspberry Pi Pico W, there’s plenty you can do with other models of Raspberry Pi.
As usual, these makers pulled out all the stops with the best Raspberry Pi accessories and Raspberry Pi HATs to concoct some seriously exciting creations. If you’re looking to stir up a project this fall season, take a look at these projects and make them yourself or just use them for inspiration to devise a totally unique creation of your own.
Raspberry Pi Live Streaming Camera
Raspberry Pi cameras? We’ve seen plenty. However, this camera project, created by Mark Lambiase, adds a new twist to the idea. Instead of just working as a regular camera, it’s designed to livestream in real time. Not only does this live streaming camera capture video but it also captures audio thanks to its built-in microphone.
Why we love it:
We appreciate the creative potential of the Raspberry Pi’s camera support but this takes things even further by adding the livestream capability. This 3D printed project is smartly designed to ensure that the Pi is kept cool and safe from water ingress. Lambiase designed the 3D printed shell which adds a few bonus points of creativity and they are offering the STL files for others to use.
Read: Raspberry Pi Live Streaming Camera
Raspberry Pi Pico Powered Hex Color Picker
If you’ve got RGB LEDs, it can be tricky to dial in the color that you want using the values on your PC. This clever gadget lets you adjust the hex code in real time using a series of potentiometers and see exactly what the color will look like on the LED. It was created by Guy Dupont and has been affectionately dubbed The Dial Toner.
Why we love it:
This project really solves a problem that seems unique to makers and those experimenting with RGB LEDs in their projects. It’s such a niche function that we think deserves a little more appreciation for not just the concept but the beautiful execution.
Read: Raspberry Pi Pico Powered Hex Color Picker
Raspberry Pi Tricorder Detects Starlink Satellites
This is an update to a project we’ve covered in the past. Save It For Parts has created a portable Pi-powered tricorder that can be used to scan the environment around you. But now, you can expand your tricorders capability far beyond your immediate area and detect Starlink satellites by salvaging an LNB module from an old satellite dish.
Why we love it:
We’re nuts for Star Trek but that’s almost par for the course when it comes to tech enthusiasts. This isn’t even the first Raspberry Pi-based tricorder project we’ve covered. What we really appreciate here is the exceptional reach this tricorder has which surely reaches farther than any of the models seen in the Star Trek franchise.
Read: Raspberry Pi Tricorder Detects Starlink Satellites
Raspberry Pi Pico Keyboard has OLED Keycaps
The Raspberry Pi Pico’s RP2040 has quickly become a go-to module for driving custom keyboards but Thomas, also known as Thpoll online, has juiced up the idea by splicing OLED screens underneath each key. This project features two separate keyboard components that work ergonomically as one keyboard. It also has a rotary encoder on the side.
Why we love it:
We love the RP2040, we love keyboards and we most certainly love over engineering projects with features we never dreamed of. This is a clever idea with a wonderful execution that would be one of the coolest additions to your desk, should you take the time to recreate this impressive Pi-powered keyboard system.
Read: Raspberry Pi Pico Keyboard has OLED Keycaps
Tom’s Hardware’s Raspberry Pi Projects
Raspberry Pi projects are notably inspiring and it’s hard not to get the itch to make something when looking at so many cool creations. After looking through all of the creations the Pi community devised over the last month, we took the time to create a few guides of our own for anyone interested in digging into some cool projects.
How to Make a Minecraft Server on Raspberry Pi
Minecraft is no stranger to the Raspberry Pi, there’s even a special Minecraft edition just for the Pi. In this guide, Our Editor-in-Chief, Avram Piltch shows us how you can set up your own Minecraft server on a Raspberry Pi. With this setup you can finally have your own dedicated machine just for building your own world. It doesn’t take much hardware to recreate but you will need a free afternoon to set it up and test it, of course.
Read: How to Make a Minecraft Server on Raspberry Pi
How to Turn a Raspberry Pi Into a Wi-Fi Access Point
In this guide, Associate Editor Les Pounder shows us how to turn a Raspberry Pi into a Wi-Fi access point. This is very useful if you’re in a location with only a wired network connection but need to connect a wireless device to the network. The Pi serves as a bridge, essentially working as a wireless router.
Read: How to Turn a Raspberry Pi Into a Wi-Fi Access Point
How To Use Picamera2 to Take Photos With Raspberry Pi
Picamera2 is an updated application to the original Picamera that allows users to capture video input on the Raspberry Pi. Users can capture images as well as record video using the application. In this guide, Les shows us how it's done and what you need to get started.
Read: How To Use Picamera2 to Take Photos With Raspberry Pi
How to Set Up a Headless Raspberry Pi
No monitor? No problem. You can still set up your Raspberry Pi. All you need is a machine separate from the Pi. If you’re not sure how to get started, this guide by Avram will walk you through the process. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to using your Pi without a second monitor in sight.
Read: How to Set Up a Headless Raspberry Pi
How to Set a Static IP Address on Raspberry Pi
If your Pi project is critical to other devices, projects or networks, you might need to set a static IP address. Thankfully, it’s not too difficult to set up but you will need to delve into the terminal to Set everything up. Not sure where to start? This guide by Avram goes over the entire process from A to Z. All you need is a Raspberry Pi and a network connection.
