The Ubo Pod Developer Edition (DE) is an open-source AI vision and conversational voice assistant platform built around the Raspberry Pi 4 or 5, and designed for developers who want more control over their AI experiences.
The device aims to replace black boxes like Amazon Echo or Google Next AI assistants, with an open hardware smart speaker running open-source software, and offering features such as speech-to-text, LLMs/VLMs, text-to-speech, tool calling, and various multiple trigger mechanisms, among others. The Ubo Pod supports both cloud-based and fully local private AI, and features an embedded GUI on the integrated display and a WebUI for no-code setup.
Ubo Pod specifications:
- SBC
- Ubo Pro 4 – Raspberry Pi 4
- Ubo Pro 5 – Raspberry Pi 5
- Storage
- 32GB MicroSD card included and preloaded with OS.
- Ubo Pro 5 – M.2 PCIe socket for NVMe SSD (or AI accelerator)
- Display – 1.54-inch color TFT IPS display with 240 x 240 resolution
- Camera – Built-in 5MP camera; Ubo Pro 4 supports the official Raspberry Pi camera modules V1 and V2, and Ubo Pro 5 also supports the Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3.
- Audio
- Dual stereo microphones up to 48 KHz audio recording
- Stereo speakers, up to 48 KHz, <0.1% THD with 1 Watt per channel
- Line Out – 40 mW output power into 16 Ohm at 3.3 VDC, THD -75 dB at 20 mW, SNR 90 dB with 16 Ohm load; jack insertion detection (WM8960)
- Networking (on Raspberry Pi SBC)
- Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
- WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0
- USB (on Raspberry Pi SBC) – 2x USB 3.0 ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports
- Sensors
- Temperature sensor with ±1 °C accuracy over -25 °C to +100 °C range (PCT2075 by NXP)
- Ambient Light sensor – 0 to 120 Kilolux [klx] with resolution down to 0.0036 lx/ct (VEML7700)
- Misc
- Power button
- 7x buttons on a soft-touch silicone keypad
- LED ring comprised of 27x individually controllable RGB LEDs (SK6812), NeoPixel compatible
- IR receiver up to 5m range (TSOP75238)
- IR transmitters (940 nm), omnidirectional, with high radiant power and speed (4x VSMB10940)
- Physical privacy curtain for the camera and a hardware disconnect switch for microphones
- Active thermal management
- Dimensions – 130 x 99 x 52 mm
- Weight – 340 grams
On the software front, the system runs Raspberry Pi OS with the Ubo App (Python) available on GitHub, and you don’t need to get a Ubo Pod to test it out, since it can be installed on Raspberry Pi 4/5 SBCs.
Ubo Pod supports over 50 AI service providers for speech-to-text, text-to-speech, memory, vision, and LLMs, as well as local on-device/on-premise options. You can select the provided via the built-in display or the web interface. A gRPC API to let developers add features in just a few lines of code. Practical examples include the Memo voice assistant with conversation memory/context retention, image generation using voice input, image description with VLMs, controlling your TV through the built-in IR transmitter and voice commands, and more.
Besides the software, the hardware design is also open-source, and you’ll find GitHub repositories for the custom PCBs and mechanical files. The video embedded at the end of this post provides a quick overview of the system, but you’ll find a longer demo (30 minutes) for more details.
Ubo Technology launched its Raspberry Pi 4/5-based personal AI assistant on Kickstarter with a $25,000 funding target. Rewards start at $109 for the Ubo Pro 4 and $129 for the Ubo Pro 5, neither of which ships with a Raspberry Pi SBC, so you must add your own. Additional information may also be found on the project’s website.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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