Jan 12, 2018 12:23 PM
If you have experimented with or built a project with the Matrix Creator add-on board for the Raspberry Pi, how are you liking it? I wanted to get some feedback from makers, designers, etc. What have you been building with it? How do you like working with it? Thanks.
Randall Scasny
RoadTest Program Manager
Looks cool, but I never purchased one. Looks like a good Design Challenge board.
Scott
Jan 14, 2018 8:43 PM
Like rsc I also hadn't heard of them before.
Jan 15, 2018 7:50 AM
Hi Mark!
There's a short description of it here:
Embedded World 2017 - (part of) Day 1
I didn't get to see it in action, but it looked interesting. It is a cross between an IoT gateway, an Amazon Echo and a Sense HAT, combining (and adding to) features of all three pretty much.
Since it is to be connected to the Pi, there is in theory the opportunity to do local processing as desired, unlike the Echo where any custom apps would need to be in the cloud.
Jan 15, 2018 4:04 PM
Thanks
I'm not convinced about the shape (and size) for anything more than developing your applications.
Sadly that doesn't really translate into multiple sales, as it would be if you made it something that can be incorporated into the final product by a maker.
It obviously won't fit in any standard enclosures, and any case you add to the Pi is going to make it even harder, unless you use a cable.
It does seem to have a lot of processing power onboard, so I'm not sure why they even bothered with tethering it the Pi.
I can't see me adding one to my collection.
Cheers
Mark
The shape is so similar to other wearable solutions from Adafruit, for me I just see myself using it. I would possibly unfairly critical in my assessment on it, as i am sure for some people it will function and appear great.
Jan 16, 2018 7:11 AM
According to the matrix creator website, they describe it as a dev-board, which explains the size of it.
Some videos of it on the site:
Using its in-built sensors:
and as a drone:
Using the microphone array and cloud like an Amazon Echo:
I like that they have a lot of information at the matrix github location, so it could have applicability as as experimenter board for students too. It seems quite a nice board for educational purposes, for electronics and computer related courses.
The 8 microphones makes it unique, since all previous attempt at a DIY Alexa/Siri solution have been compromises using just one or two mics.
I think they were aiming for a form-factor like the Echo Dot, but the Echo Dot is puck-sized, and this isn't. Still, for educational and development/prototyping purposes I guess this doesn't matter.
Jan 18, 2018 10:17 AM
Please excuse my terrible quality print but Matrix also have models for the case available.
Jan 18, 2018 10:45 AM
That looks quite stylish! And nothing that a bit of sanding couldn't fix maybe.
The Pi's eyesore USB cable-as-a-supply sticking out perpendicular to the rest of the connections is nicely hidden from sight by the top board : )
Jan 18, 2018 11:00 AM
I'm a big fan of 90 degree USB plugs ;-)
Jan 18, 2018 11:16 AM
All the important Laptop and Desk flair.. Including my new CERN mug and Art of Electronics.
Feb 22, 2018 3:59 AM
Thanks Trent, The stickers are breeding!
