Uno Q Desk Robot with Full AI Chat and Videotronic OS (Phase 1)

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Arduino UNO Q

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<html><body><h3></h3><figure><iframe src="https://youtu.be/aGEeob-HQeM?si=beVNM90xxtjEA4me"></iframe></figure><p><em>The video above is a concept video generated by Google Veo for illustrating how the bot will behave and look. </em></p><h3>The Origin: Conceptualizing Before Building 💭</h3><p>This project didn't start with code; it started with a question I posted on LinkedIn before the board even shipped: What is the Arduino Uno Q experience going to be like? </p><p>I needed to choose a brain for a robotic desktop assistant. The two contenders were the Raspberry Pi 5 and the new Arduino Uno Q. Without the hardware in hand, I had to rely on the specs to make a decision: </p><ol><li><strong>The AI Brain: </strong>While the Pi 5 has raw CPU power, the UNO Q offered efficiency. Its Qualcomm chip excels with API-based LLMs like Gemini, and the Dual ISPs handle vision tasks without bogging down the main processor. 🧠 </li><li><strong>The Robot Body: </strong>Controlling servos directly from Linux on a Pi often leads to jitter. The UNO Q solves this natively with its integrated STM32 Microcontroller. 🦾 </li><li><strong>The Decision: </strong>I realized the Uno Q’s "Dual-Brain" architecture could handle the communication seamlessly between the Linux brain and the real-time body via the internal Arduino Bridge. No extra hardware or complex wiring needed. </li></ol><div id="gallery"><img id="gallery" src="https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/4e730dbd-fc7d-4d2a-bde2-70c37e373917.jpg"/><figcaption>My Arduino Uno Q</figcaption></div><p>Once the board arrived, I moved from concept to reality. </p><h3>The Concept: Part Robot, Part Workstation 🤖💻</h3><p>This project is the foundation of the VideotronicMaker Desk Bot. The goal is to build a desktop assistant that bridges the gap between an AI-powered robot companion and a functional computer. The Arduino Uno Q serves as the head (with the LED Matrix mouth), but the torso is a fully functional 14-inch Touchscreen Workstation. </p><h3>Current Status: The OS is Alive ⚡</h3><p> </p><figure><iframe src="https://youtu.be/bKx1cbojifE"></iframe></figure><p>The video above shows the <strong>VideotronicMaker OS </strong>running live on the Uno Q's Linux processor (the 2GB/16GB model). Because of the storage constraints on the current hardware, I designed a "Cloud-First" architecture that is fully functional right now: </p><p> </p><ol><li><strong>The Interface: </strong>A custom Python/Flask UI that accepts Text Prompts and Speech-to-Text (STT) input. 🖥️ </li><li><strong>The Intelligence: </strong>It connects to the Google Gemini API for reasoning and generates audio responses via Text-to-Speech (TTS). 🗣️ </li><li><strong>Context Awareness (RAG): </strong>The system allows me to upload files directly to the chat, giving the AI context to answer specific questions about my current work. 📂 </li><li><strong>Utilities: </strong>It features a custom Python Music Player and a "Hype Mode" to be your workout trainer. 🎵 </li></ol><h3>The Hardware: A Functional SBC 🛠️</h3><p>This isn't just a chatbot; it is a Single Board Computer (SBC) integrated into a robotic form factor. </p><ol><li><strong>The Chest: </strong>A 14-inch Touchscreen serves as the robot's chest and primary display. </li><li><strong>Input Methods: </strong>You can interact via the Touchscreen, or connect a Keyboard and Mouse for a traditional desktop experience. 🖱️ </li><li><strong>The Environment: </strong>Of course, it runs Debian Linux, giving you full access to the Terminal for coding and system management. 🐧 </li></ol><p> </p><figure><img src="https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/0c485e14-7cee-4473-a4c3-5bddcdad1bc7.png"/><figcaption>The initial composite I made in GIMP to feed Nano Bananas the correct idea and parts.</figcaption></figure><p> </p><h3>Future Expansion: App Lab &amp; Bricks 🧱</h3><p>While I am currently running a custom Python/Flask stack, the Uno Q comes equipped with Arduino App Lab. In upcoming updates, I plan to integrate its ecosystem of "Bricks"—modular, pre-packaged services like AI models and sensor integrations. This will allow me to deploy complex Edge AI features and expand the bot's capabilities without having to write all the underlying infrastructure code from scratch. </p><p> </p><figure><img src="https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/3ca25b18-b585-466a-a80c-3ceed98fd789.png"/><figcaption>Screenshot of the App Lab running on my Uno Q using my Mac as a display.  You can see the storage and ram usage at the bottom.</figcaption></figure><h3>The Robotic Plan: Manual &amp; AI Control 🦾</h3><p>While the "Mind" and "Workstation" are running, I hope to purchase the arms this week to begin building the "Body." </p><ol><li><strong>The Arms: </strong>Designed as "Helping Hands" for the workbench. They will feature Manual Override Controllers, allowing me to position them precisely when I need a third hand (e.g., holding a PCB or magnifying glass). 🔍 </li><li><strong>The Face: </strong>The Uno Q's built-in LED Matrix acts as the mouth, syncing to the audio. 👄 </li><li><strong>Movement </strong>: The head will pan and tilt to track interaction. </li></ol><p> </p><div id="gallery"><img id="gallery" src="https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/ee4fbe9c-3c70-4e59-a946-01ac56449651.png"/><figcaption>Concept images illustrating what the bot should do and how it should look</figcaption>,<img id="gallery" src="https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/0d0a83c1-f2f0-42c4-86cd-6286cbdae276.png"/><figcaption></figcaption>,<img id="gallery" src="https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/95f1dd0d-04a9-48f7-9d84-7bf22b71c7b8.png"/><figcaption>Concept images demonstarting what the bot</figcaption></div><p> </p><p> </p><figure><iframe src="https://youtu.be/WiXRPLrF5m0?si=Q6oUcfja9RCviOll&amp;t=242"></iframe></figure><p><em>The video above is cued to where you can see the led matrix animated as a mouth.  If it isn't cued then skip to 4:02 </em></p><p><em> </em></p><figure><img src="https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/1ad07063-d826-424c-8883-634f73ca1177.png"/><figcaption>Still image of the mouth on the Led Matrix tested initially on the Uno R4</figcaption></figure><h3>Why Start Here? 🤔</h3><p>This setup is optimized for the 2GB/16GB Uno Q model available today. By offloading the heavy AI processing to the cloud (Gemini) and utilizing the App Lab for local functions, we can achieve high-level performance without waiting for the future 4GB/32GB hardware—though the system is designed to scale up when that board arrives. </p><h3>Next Steps ⏭️</h3><p>I am currently refining the Hardware Bridge to link the Linux OS to the STM32 microcontroller for real-time servo control. I am also simplifying the UI and VideotronicMaker OS for the first version. </p><p><strong>Focus: </strong>AI, Python, Robotics, SBC, Helping Hands, IoT. </p><h3>Get the "Core" of the Bot here! 🚀</h3><p>I have just published the core configuration files for <strong>VideotronicMaker OS </strong>on <strong>GitHub </strong>. If you want to see the specific System Prompt that defines The Desk Bot's persona (It's "Core") and the Python library list (the "Ingredients"), grab them here: </p><p>👉 [ <a href="https://github.com/VideotronicMaker/VideotronicMaker-OS">Link to VideotronicMaker OS Repository </a>] </p><p>I am releasing the full source code in stages as I validate the hardware build. Star the repo to get notified immediately when the Phase 2 code drops! </p><p> </p></body></html>

VideotronicMaker-OS

Uno Q Desk Robot with Full AI Chat and Videotronic OS (Phase 1)

VideotronicMaker OS transforms the Arduino Uno Q into a voice-activated "Second Brain" by combining a custom Python HUD with the power of Google Gemini to create a responsive, AI-driven desktop assistant.