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Someone Made a Working Replica of Fallout's Pip-Boy 2000 With a Raspberry PI
Have you ever wished that you bring the fun of Fallout to real life? With this DIY project shared on Reddit recently, you can start doing just that. Starscream205 managed to create a life-sized Pip-Boy 2000 replica. The best part is that it uses a Raspberry Pi to recreate many critical features that the Pip-Boy has in Fallout. Plus, everything is housed inside a case from The Wand Company that looks like just a Pip-Boy.
For those not familiar, Pip-Boys are attached to players' arms in Fallout, allowing them to read stats, maintain inventory, look at their map and more. Starscream205's homemade Pip-Boy displays the Raspberry Pi OS interface, but the maker's working on an update that would makes the interface look like what gamers are used to seeing in Fallout.
(Image credit: Starscream205)
In addition to the Pip-Boy unit, the project includes a working holotape prop, used in Fallout for storage, that connects to the Pip-Boy's holotape reader via USB. If you're looking for a genuine Fallout experience, it doesn't get much better than that —except it does. Starscream205 is also working on a playable game that will run when the holotape is connected.
The DIY Pip-Boy also has a Bluetooth speaker so you can tune into the good ol' sound of Appalachia radio. All of the buttons on the device are wired up to work, and the LEDs are completely functional.
According to Starscream205's post, one of the biggest challenges with this project was powering the unit, which is not uncommon with portable Pi projects. Starscream205 settled on using a lithium battery with a power board so it can recharge through a mini USB port.
This project is a work in progress with more features and refinements planned for the future. You can read more about the Raspberry Pi Pip-Boy 2000 on Reddit. If you're interested in the code or want to recreate this project yourself, follow Starscream205 for more updates and future links.
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Ash Hill is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware with a wealth of experience in the hobby electronics, 3D printing and PCs. She manages the Pi projects of the month and much of our daily Raspberry Pi reporting while also finding the best coupons and deals on all tech.
The particular PIP boy model they are using is pretty slick, and I wish I had bought one.
There are other, not as slick looking models from years past that allowed you to slip in a cellphone, and download an app, that also gave a similar experience.
