Exploring AI with SBCs: Raspberry Pi 5 AI Kit and Google Coral Dev Board
Introduction
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, the demand for compact, efficient, and powerful hardware to run AI models grows. Single-board computers (SBCs) are at the forefront of this evolution, providing accessible and cost-effective platforms for developers and hobbyists alike. Two standout SBCs for AI applications are the Raspberry Pi 5 AI Kit and the Google Coral Dev Board. In this blog post, we’ll explore the features, capabilities, and potential applications of these powerful AI-enabled SBCs.
Raspberry Pi 5 AI Kit: High-Performance AI in a Compact Form
Overview
The Raspberry Pi 5 AI Kit bundles the Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT+ with the Hailo AI acceleration module, offering a high-performance, power-efficient solution for AI tasks. This kit is designed to make AI accessible and cost-effective, leveraging the Raspberry Pi 5’s capabilities alongside the powerful Hailo-8L chip.
Key Features
• Hailo-8L Chip: The AI module features a 13 TOPS neural network inference accelerator, ensuring high-speed AI processing.
• Form Factor: The module uses the M.2 2242 form factor, connecting through an M key edge connector.
• Integration: The M.2 HAT+ enables communication between the AI module and the Raspberry Pi 5’s PCIe 2.0 interface.
• Ease of Use: With an up-to-date Raspberry Pi OS, the system automatically detects the Hailo module, integrating the NPU for seamless AI computing tasks.
• Camera Applications: Built-in rpicam-apps support the AI module, enabling efficient post-processing tasks using the NPU.
Applications
The Raspberry Pi 5 AI Kit is ideal for a range of AI applications, including:
• Computer Vision: Enhance image and video processing with real-time AI capabilities.
• Edge AI: Deploy AI models at the edge for applications like object detection and facial recognition.
• IoT Integration: Combine AI with IoT projects to create smarter and more responsive systems.
Google Coral Dev Board: Accelerated Machine Learning in a Small Package
Overview
The Google Coral Dev Board is a robust single-board computer designed for fast machine learning (ML) inference in a compact form factor. It is equipped with the powerful Edge TPU coprocessor and provides a complete system with SoC, ML capabilities, and wireless connectivity.
Key Features
• Edge TPU Coprocessor: Capable of performing 4 TOPS, the Edge TPU executes ML models with remarkable efficiency, supporting up to 400 FPS for models like MobileNet v2.
• Power Efficiency: Operates at 2 TOPS per watt, ensuring high performance with minimal power consumption.
• Complete System: The board includes SoC, ML capabilities, and wireless connectivity, all running on Mendel, a derivative of Debian Linux.
• TensorFlow Lite Support: Easily run pre-built TensorFlow Lite models on the Edge TPU without the need for complex model building.
• Scalability: Designed to scale from prototype to production, the SoM can be integrated into custom hardware for mass production
Applications
The Google Coral Dev Board is suitable for various AI applications, including:
• Prototyping and Development: Rapidly prototype and develop AI models for a range of applications.
• Mobile Vision: Execute state-of-the-art vision models with high speed and efficiency.
• Embedded Systems: Integrate the Dev Board into embedded systems for enhanced AI capabilities.
• Smart Devices: Power smart devices with advanced ML inferencing capabilities for improved functionality.
Small Model LLMs and Generative AI with SBCs
Both the Raspberry Pi 5 AI Kit and the Google Coral Dev Board are well-suited for running small model large language models (LLMs) and generative AI applications. Here’s how:
Raspberry Pi 5 AI Kit
• Small Model LLMs: Utilize the Hailo-8L chip to run lightweight LLMs for natural language processing tasks, such as text generation and language translation.
• Generative AI: Implement generative models for tasks like image generation and style transfer, benefiting from the Hailo module’s high-speed inference capabilities.
Google Coral Dev Board
• Small Model LLMs: Leverage the Edge TPU’s efficiency to deploy small model LLMs for on-device AI applications, ensuring fast and reliable performance.
• Generative AI: Execute generative AI models for creative tasks, such as music composition and artistic style applications, with the board’s robust ML capabilities.