Introducing the Raspberry Pi

My supervisor is aware of my interest in robotics, and has introduced me to the idea of programming. To do this, I could use a piece of hardware called a Raspberry Pi.

This beautiful little piece of technology is a, according to Wikipedia, "credit-card sized single-board computer". A single-board computer, or SBC, is a complete computer, but built on a single circuit board. It can plug into your TV, or keyboard, as it has USB ports, and is capable of many of the task your normal desktop computer can do, such as run spreadsheets, games and play HD video. It is obviously considerably cheaper, smaller and lighter than a desktop computer, and was designed with the aim of encouraging children to get interested in computer programming.

But don't be fooled by it's original purpose; the Pi has delighted a wide range of adults, including a number of  brilliant robot hobbyists with far too much free time, who have used the Pi to achieve some incredible things.

I found a few awesome uses:

1. the MoccaPi - a coffee machine controlled by a Raspberry Pi

2. a quadcopter - programmed by a Raspberry Pi

3. an LED Matrix - sequences and sound programmed by a Raspberry Pi

and these are but a few of the fantastical ideas conjured up by the Pi's fanbase.

Sites used: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi
                 http://www.raspberrypi.org/about
                 10 coolest uses of RPi
                 http://moccapi.blogspot.com
                 http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/3364
                 Youtube Raspberry Pi powered Quadcopter