Raspberry Pi Hardware

Background

I am using a Raspberry Pi 5 to perform image processing and machine learning on Kupe. The Pi5 is quite a poweerful device and natively supports two cameras. The plan is to intially use one camera for pose navigation and eventually move to two. I will then probably add a USB camera for grass detection.

Powering the Pi

This will be achived using a standard USB cable. See: USB Power

Mounting the Pi

This is achieved using my board mounting system: USB Power. I made an adaptor board which the Pi was mounted on and that board is then attached to a standard baseplate board.

Here are the board components and the assembled stack.

Assembly

Cameras

I will use two Pi Camera module 3s for navigation (standard model). Initially I will use just one but need to be able to add another for stereo navigation later.

Pi Cameras

Mounting the Cameras

To keep things simple, the cameras will be mounted on a 20x20 extrusion bar that is atteched to the chassis edges, near the front of the robot. There needs to be enough space at the front to allow the camera wires to drop down to the Pi and to allow access to the wiring looms. The extrusion system means this is very easy to adjust.

The camera modules are each mounted on a small 3d printed bracket. There are slots in the bracket so that the height of the camera can be adjusted. If this proves too basic, I can design and print somethong more suitable as needed.

November 2025