The Android Things flower that smiles with you
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Smile, and the world smiles with you — or, in this case, a laser-cut flower running Android Things on a Raspberry Pi does.
Expression Flower
The aim of the Expression Flower is to “challenge the perception of what robotics can be while exploring the possibility for a whimsical experience that is engaging, natural, and fun.”
Tl;dr: cute interactive flower. No Skynet.
Android Things
The flower is powered by Google’s IoT platform Android Things, running on a Raspberry Pi, and it has a camera mounted in the centre. It identifies facial expressions using the ML Kit machine learning package, also from Google. The software categorises expressions, and responds with a specific action: smile at the flower, and it will open up its petals with a colourful light show; wink at it, and its petals will close up bashfully.
The build is made of laser-cut and 3D-printed parts, alongside off-the-shelf components. The entire build protocol, including video, parts, and code, is available on hackster.io, so all makers can give Expression Flower a go.
Seriously, this may be the easiest-to-follow tutorial we’ve ever seen. So many videos. So much helpful information. It’s pure perfection!
Machine learning and Android Things
For more Raspberry Pi–based machine learning projects, see:
And for more Android Things projects, we highly recommend:
Aaaand, for getting started with all things Android on your Raspberry Pi, check out issue 71 of The MagPi!
Website: LINK