Raspberry Pi DIY workshop teaches students how to use customizable, versatile minicomputers
What would you build if you could design any kind of tech device for $35? Would you bypass the costs of major cellphone providers and build your own smartphone? Would you build a bartending robot to mix your favorite cocktails perfectly each time? Would you relive your youth and create a retro video game console that cuts out the need for those pesky, dust-prone game cartridges?
This month, 15 Johns Hopkins students are learning the ins and outs of a versatile device capable of these and infinitely more functions: the Raspberry Pi, a small, green single-board computer capable of fitting inside an Altoids tin.
Raspberry Pi is a revolution in computer hardware, enabling users to build their own computers and smart devices. Developed in the United Kingdom, Raspberry Pi costs as little as $35 and has become a worldwide phenomenon, with global sales surpassing 15 million units last year. These bare bones, accessory-compatible minicomputers have become especially popular in fields relating to home automation, data visualization, robotics, and Internet-capable devices.