CrowPi1 hardware introduction
CrowPi1 is an educational tool based on Raspberry Pi, designed to help people learn electronics, programming, and basic computer science. Here we will only introduce the main hardware of CrowPi1.
The CrowPi1 comes with a 7-inch 1024x600 resolution touch screen, 2.0MP camera, Microphone, and a PCB mainboard with plenty of sensors.
7-inch 1024x600 resolution touch screen: allows you to get started with built-in touch screen with Raspberry Pi computer
2.0MP camera and Microphone: makes it easy for you to explore face recognition, voice recognition, and other AI projects.
PCB mainboard: plenty of built-in sensors and modules, which allows you to learn and create projects.
Let's see what modules CrowPi1 contains and where they are:
1. ABS Plastic Case
Used to protect the screen on CrowPi1 and make it look pretty.
2. Camera
Built-in 2.0MP USB camera can use to take photos, video meetings, and make some AI projects.
3. 7-inch HDMI Touch Screen
The built-in touch screen makes it easy for your to learning and creating projects on Raspberry Pi computer.
4. Power circuit
Power will be supplied to the entire CrowPi1 through here.
5. LCD module
Output module, it has 2 columns and 16 rows, which gives us enough space to display information.
6. Segment LED
Also called 7 segment display. You can control the 4 digits on the module and the on and off of a decimal point.
7. Vibration Motor
Output module, it will vibrate when the high signals flow through it.
8. Matrix LED
Output module, this 8x8 (8 rows and 8 columns) LED module contains an array of 64 LEDs. It can display text or even animations.
9. Light Sensor
Input module, it can detect the intensity of light.
10. Buzzer
Output module, it makes a sound when the high signals flow through it.
11. Sound Sensor
Input module, it is mainly used to detect whether there is sound from the outside world, and its sensitivity is adjustable.
12. PIR Motion Sensor
Input module, it mostly to detect motion, and its sensitivity is adjustable. On CrowPi2, we mainly use it to detect whether someone passes by.
13. Ultrasonic Sensor
Input module, it can detect the distance from the sensor to the obstacle in front.
14. Servo Interface
Insert the 9G servo or Crowtail module into this interface to use. The 9G servo can rotate 180 degrees to both sides.
15. UART
Lead out the serial port, can realize serial communication
16. Stepper Motor Interface
insert the Stepper motor into this interface to use. Stepper motor works by “steps” we can tell it exactly how many steps we want to make or even tell it by degrees and radius. Unlike servo, the stepper motor can turn 360 degrees.
17. Tilt Sensor
Input module, it can detect whether CrowPi2 is tilted.
18. IR sensor interface
Plug the IR receiver into this interface to use. IR receiver can receive keys pressed by IR remote control
19. Touch Sensor
Input module, when there is contact or a touch on the surface of the touch sensor. It acts like a closed switch and allows the current to flow through it.
20. Temperature and Humidity Sensor
The DHT11 sensor is a temperature and humidity sensor, which can detect the temperature and humidity in the air.
21. Relay
Output module, it is an electromagnetic switch that can control the opening or closing of the circuit through signals.
22. Buttons Array
Input module, it has 4 rows and 4 columns. When one of the buttons is pressed, it will indicate which button in the matrix is triggered.
23. Independent Buttons
Input module, here are four buttons, they are controlled by different GPIOs.
24. NFC Module
Input module, it can read and write data in the NFC card.
25. Switches
The switches enable you to change between the usage of sensors and modules.
26. Breadboard
You can make the custom circuits and functions here.
27. Raspberry Pi
As the mainboard of CrowPi, you can use Raspberry Pi 3 or Raspberry Pi 4 on CrowPi.
28. GPIO LED indicator
They can indicate the working status of the GPIO. Light on means HIGH-level signal, while light off means LOW-level signal
29. Acrylic board
It is used to protect the screen and hide the cables, which may CrowPi looks more neat and pretty.
30. Microphone
It’s a USB microphone that comes with the camera. You can use it for video meetings, voice recognition, and other AI projects.
Top view of onboard module：
