Raspberry Pi-Powered AUV Places Third In Singaporean Competition

Coconut Pi

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The Raspberry Pi and the Arduino were both used n the Coconut Pi, an underwater robotic vehicle that was developed by Singaporean engineering students. This shows that the use of the credit card-sized computer is only limited by the creativity of the people using it.

The autonomous underwater vehicle or AUV was created by engineering students from the National University of Singapore. The Raspberry Pi was used for the memory-intensive functions of the AUV while the Arduino was used for precision control.

Team Coconut Pi placed third at the 2013 Singapore Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Challenge. The team was sponsored by RS Components, a reseller of the miniature computer. The AUV was capable of identifying a following a black line as well as surface when it detected the yellow-colored floating ring.

A webcam was used to allow the Coconut Pi to detect obstacles, and the miniature computer served as the brain of the AUV. It features accelerometers, pressure and flow sensors, magnetometers, and gyroscopes.

Since the hull of the Coconut Pi cracked around one week before the competition itself, the team used a simple Lock & Lock plastic box that cost around $16 to waterproof the AUV.

Following the competition, the team did not have any other plans for the Coconut Pi, which means they will likely disassemble it to use its components for other upcoming robotic projects. However, it does show that the Raspberry Pi can be used for just about anything. 

Raspberry Pi Camera Coming Soon

Raspberry Pi Camera Prototype

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Images of the Raspberry Pi camera initially emerged in the later part of last year, and recently additional information about the add-on camera for the device is set to be released soon by the team working on the camera.

Official statements released indicated that the camera for the small-sized computer will feature a 5MP sensor that is normally found on a smartphone. The camera is currently being fine-tuned to allow it to offer optimal performance for users of the device. The Raspberry Pi camera is currently good enough for use, however the team is apparently working to make it an impressive addition to the pint-sized computer.

The upcoming add-on to the Raspberry Pi will reportedly be capable of recording 1080p videos and it will feature an integrated infra-red filter. However, the Raspberry Pi camera will not feature an optical zoom. But it is expected to allow users to attach any lens or filters that are normally found on the PentaEye for the iPhone of Apple.

The team working on the camera has not given indications on a specific release date for the camera add-on of the micro-computer. The earliest release date will be one month after, however it is possible for the add-on to be released at a much later date.

Users of the micro-computer are anxiously waiting for the release of the Raspberry Pi camera so that they can have another accessory to use together with their pint-sized computer.

App Store For Raspberry Pi Launched

Pi Store

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The Pi Store was announced recently giving Raspberry Pi users the opportunity to download applications, games, tools, and tutorials for their super-small-sized computer system.

Users can download or upload content through the X app from or into the Pi Store as revealed through the Raspberry Pi blog. All content will be moderated before they are added into the virtual shelves. Since the Raspberry Pi was primarily made to increase the interest of kids into programming, it was necessary to moderate the content on the Pi Store, which means you will not be able to find anything that is not suitable for children.

According to the announcement, the Pi Store is aimed at becoming a one-stop shop for all the needs of Raspberry Pi users. It also allows beginners to easily get the hang of using the system since it offers everything they would need free of charge.

The Pi Store will also allow developers to charge for the applications that they upload aside from offering them for free. It also features a tip jar where supporters can ‘donate’ to continue support for quality yet free applications. For the moment twenty-five titles are available for Raspberry Pi users, including FreeCiv, LibreOffice, and Iridium Rising.

Although it also offers despotify, the open-source Spotify client, it will be necessary to get a Spotify Premium account in order for it to work. For the moment there are no supercomputing apps available at the Pi Store even though one Raspberry Pi-based supercomputer is already available in the market.

With the availability of Raspberry Pi applications through the Pi Store, supporters are hoping that it will eventually result to an increase in the number of users of the mini-size computer system.

Hack Day For Raspberry Pi Scheduled

Raspberry Pi

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The Raspberry Pi was well-received following its release into the market early this year. Even though a minor glitch affected its release, it became an instant hit among tech enthusiasts who were looking for something new.

Now it appears that the same tech enthusiasts who snapped up the Raspberry Pi will be given a chance to show their skills in enhancing the popular ARM computer. A Raspberry Pi hackathon is scheduled to be held by CPC, an electronics distributor, to look for an individual or team who can produce the best innovation for the mini-computer.

One hundred entries will be accepted for the Raspberry Pi hack day where they will be able to use the board, soldering irons, internet access, and their coding skills. Participants should complete their project within 24 hours before the winners of the different categories will be announced by the judges.

The categories for the Raspberry Pi hack day are the “Best Software Hack” Best Hardware Hack”, “Best Game”, “Best Individual,” and “Best Team”. Winners of each category will receive prizes that include Android tablets, camcorders, and the H107 Hubsan Quadcopter.

A tour of the Welsh factory of Sony where the device is manufacturer will also be waiting for the best overall winner of the hack day. According to David Deventer, the marketing head of CPC, the Raspberry Pi has revolutionized the tech market and the company aims to host the first hack-day in the UK to celebrate the popular device.

The Raspberry Pi Hack Day will is scheduled to be held on December 1 and December 2 at the Munro House in Leeds.

Raspberry Pi Production Improves

Raspberry Pi

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At least 4,000 units of the Raspberry Pi are being produced every day in order to meet the demand for the mini-computer. According to Eben Upton, founder of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, around 4,000 units of the device are being produced every day to keep up with the demand even as a backlog is still being noted up to now.

Upton indicated that the foundation is hoping that the increase in production of the Raspberry Pi will allow it to reduce the backlog. They are looking forward to delivering the Raspberry Pi unit the day after a consumer purchases the unit.

Sales of the Raspberry Pi have already reached around 200,000 units and it expects the figure to reach around one million within the year. Around half of the total number of orders was reportedly for the United Kingdom although Upton indicated that he is hoping to expand the market to the United States.

Instead of introducing a new model of the Raspberry Pi, the foundation has focus on the enhancement of the software.  The recently-produced models of the device reportedly offer a four-fold enhancement in the performance compared to the models that were released in April.

In addition to announcing the increase in production and enhanced software, the foundation also revealed that a camera module will be added into the device. The camera module will feature a five-megapixel sensor and will be available by October. The camera for the Raspberry Pi will reportedly be priced at around $25 and will allow the device to record images and videos.

Although the introduction of the Raspberry Pi experienced a number of setbacks, some industry watchers are elated to see that the device is doing well in the market. However Upton indicated that foundation still has to work on its original purpose for the Raspberry Pi, which is to change the way computer science is being taught in schools.

The foundation still has a lot of work to be able to bring the Raspberry Pi into the hands of schoolchildren.

Raspberry Pi Camera Introduced

Raspberry Pi Camera

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A 14MP camera is reportedly in the works for the Raspberry Pi mini-computer. Recent reports have revealed that the makers of the mini-computer are not stopping with the release of its notable device although the reported Raspberry Pi camera may not be released until the later part of the year.

The camera on the Raspberry Pi will reportedly not increase the size of the device too much and is attachable through a ribbon cable. The Raspberry Pi camera can be used for automation applications at home or it can also be used for more advanced robotics projects.

For the moment no price tag was revealed on this upcoming Raspberry Pi camera.

It also appears that the Raspberry Pi camera may be downgraded from the current 14MP resolution prior to its release into the market in order to bring down the price tag since the size of the sensor will have a huge factor on its price. The bigger the sensor, the more expensive the Raspberry Pi camera will be.

The Raspberry Pi camera is just the latest addition to this rather notable device that saw it sell out within two hours after it was offered in the market.

The Raspberry Pi was initially made available in the market last February, although there were some minor issues that had to be dealt with by the company. Some manufacturing issues cropped up but it was dealt with immediately as deliveries started by the end of March.

A CE testing was conducted to ensure that the device was safe for use by the consumers. The testing of the Raspberry Pi mini-computer was completed by last month and a go-signal was given for its sale in the market.

The Raspberry Pi camera will open up a lot of possible applications for the device. The only thing that will limit the number of uses for the device is the creativity of the users.

Latest Raspberry Pi Pass Tests, Sales To Continue Soon

Raspberry Pi

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Following the introduction of the Raspberry Pi last February, it gained a lot of attention from users that the first batch of devices was sold out within two hours. However the succeeding batches were delayed since the wrong kind of networking jack was soldered into the mini PC.

Some time ago, the latest batch of Raspberry Pi units were lined up at the CE testing center. The Raspberry Pi Foundation recently announced that the Raspberry Pi already passed EMC testing and did not need any more adjustments. The new units of the mini-computer have been tested at the South Wales facility of Panasonic for a week and it appears that it may be all set to be released into the market.

RS Components reportedly would have to check the Raspberry Pi units although this latest evaluation will not be as stringent as the evaluation made earlier. The latest units of the mini-computer have also complied with the regulations of the FCC in the United States along with similar regulations in Canada and Australia.

This will indicate that the latest units of the mini-computer are all set to be released into the market.

The Raspberry Pi was initially planned for sale without the CE certification since it remains an unfinished project however the creators eventually decided to get the certification for the mini-computer. For the moment the specific release schedule has yet to be announced although it is expected to attract the same amount of attention when it was initially made available in the market.

Buying and Contributing With ModMyPi Raspberry Pi Casing

Raspberry Pi

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The Model B of the Raspberry Pi recently became available in the market although a number of consumers appear to be waiting for the latest stocks to be produced and shipped. While waiting for the release of the new stocks of the Model B of the Raspberry Pi, consumers can look for a way in putting together a case for the product.

The Raspberry Pi does not come with a case although it has no problem when it is being used. However the internal components of the device can be protected if it will be placed inside a case.

Marco Alici, a hobbyist designer, was able to create a case design for the device although there is supposedly another case that is already scheduled for release and comes with an enticement to purchase it.

The latest case for the Raspberry Pi is produced by MOdMyPi, which features a split design and will have five color options, blue, black, red, white and green. Buyers of this case for the product will not only have a choice of mixing up the colors which will allow users to have a two-color casing for the Raspberry Pi.

The price tag of the ModMyPi casing is at $12.70 for the white and black color options and is scheduled to be available by April 5. The other color options will require another $3.15. International shipping will also be added to the total cost of the casing which would give it a total price tag of $18.99.

However it appears that buyers of the ModMyPi casing will also help the Raspberry Pi Foundation since five percent of the profits of the company from the sales of the Raspberry Pi casing will be donated to the foundation. This will give the charity another source of funding depending on the popularity of the casing.

Do You Want A Free Raspberry Pi Computer?

Raspberry Pi

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The Raspberry Road Test Challenge is set to offer technology enthusiasts the opportunity to win a free unit of the Raspberry Pi computer. The Raspberry Pi Foundation is working with Element14 in the challenge which asks contestants for any innovations that they will make using a Raspberry Pi computer unit.

Element14 is an electronic design portal of Premier Farnell, a tech distributor. An announcement made by Element14 revealed its collaboration with the Raspberry Pi Foundation last February which involves the distribution of the Model B of the Raspberry Pi computers, which has a price tag of $35.

The model B of the Raspberry Pi computer features 256MB RAM, a pair of USB ports, SD memory card slot, an HDMI port, along with an Ethernet port.

The Model A of the Raspberry Pi computer only features one USB port and has a price tag of $25. The Model A will reportedly enter market within the year.

Following the recent acceptance of pre-orders for the Raspberry Pi computer, the device has attracted numerous technology enthusiasts. However this resulted to a shortage in the supply of the device since the jacks that were made for the units were not magnetic. The company had specified the use of magnetic jacks for the device, since network connections will not be possible if non-magnetic jacks are used.

It will be necessary for the company to remove the wrong jacks on the devices that were already released and change them although the manufacturing plant has nearly finished making the necessary corrections on the first batch of Raspberry Pi computers.

But some problems may arise with the next batches of Raspberry Pi computers since all the Ethernet ports for the device were reportedly not the right one. Even as the company was already looking for replacements, delays may occur in the future supply of the Raspberry Pi computers.

It remains to be seen if this delay in the production of the Raspberry Pi computers will also affect the Raspberry Road Test Challenge. The winners of the contest will be announced by the company by March 14, which is also known as the Pi Day. Interested contestants can check out the guidelines for the contest guidelines at the contest page of Element14.

Production Issue Causes Delay In Raspberry Pi Computer Availability

Raspberry Pi

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It appears that a minor glitch is the main reason for the delay in the production of the Raspberry Pi computer. According to the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a wrong jack has caused the delay in the production of the $35 no-frills computer.

The jacks that were supposed to be used on the Raspberry Pi were supposed to have integrated magnets into the schematics and CBOM however the jacks that were soldered in at the factory were not magnetic. Using non-magnetic jacks will mean that the Raspberry Pi computer will have no network connections.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation indicated that it already knew about the problem for four days ago but has not revealed it until recently since they were still evaluating the device to find any other issues on the Raspberry Pi computer.

The current models of the Raspberry Pi computer will require minor fixes to deal with the problem since the jack will be de-soldered before the right one is attached. Nearly all the first batch of Raspberry Pi computer units has been fixed at the production plant.

But another problem has emerged since the company will have to look for the appropriate jacks to be used on the Raspberry Pi computers. This will result to additional delays in the future according to reports. With the increasing demand for the Raspberry Pi computer units, it will be a big challenge for the company to release the devices on time.

Pre-orders for the device was impressive as all of the devices were sold out following the acceptance of pre-orders for this credit card-sized device.

The model A of the Raspberry Pi computer will be released within the year.  The model that is currently in production is the Model B and is set to be released into the market soon.

Both the Model A and the Model B will feature a 256MB RAM although Model B will have two USB ports compared to the single USB port for the Model A of the Raspberry Pi computer. The two devices will also come with an ARM processor and will need an HDMI or RCA-linked display and a keyboard to provide users with the same user experience as a desktop computer.

Demand for Raspberry Pi Surprise Retailers

Raspberry Pi

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The recent launch of the Raspberry Pi was so successful that the demand for the device reportedly buckled a pair of websites in the UK due to the extremely high traffic.

For the moment, only the $35 model of the device was made available for pre-orders even as the $25 model has yet to enter production, which is anticipated in the coming weeks. The product was supposed to be launched last January by the British Raspberry Pi Foundation.

However following its availability for pre-orders two electronics component online retailers based in the UK went down due to the huge traffic. The heavy load also resulted to the changing of the website of the Raspberry Pi into a static site.

Stocks of the Raspberry Pi have reportedly run out at Premier Farnell. On the other hand, the details of potential buyers were taken down by the other retailer offering the device for pre-orders as the inventory may not be filled up until after at least one month.

The two models of the Raspberry Pi, Model A and Model B, come with 256 of RAM, the 700MHz ARM 11 processor and a graphics chip which offer the capability of decoding HD videos. However the Model B will feature an additional USB port along with an Ethernet connection. The price tag of the Model A and Model B of the Raspberry Pi is $25 and $35 respectively.

Only an RCA or an HDMI-linked screen is needed along with a keyboard to allow users to use the device like a desktop.

The Raspberry Pi project was created to provide computers to children and allow them to learn programming although it appears to have appealed to a number of technology enthusiasts, which resulted to a high demand for the product.

Even though the project is similar to the One Laptop Per Child project, the Raspberry Pi is much cheaper compared to the OLPC.