It is known to all that the Raspberry Pi revolutionized the world of computing at the user level and, above all, the maker community, which found in it a fundamental weapon with which to start creating all kinds of home projects.
This board, no bigger than the palm of our hand, is a minicomputer with all its functionalities and that is expanding in capacities, not in physical size, with each revision, and we are going for the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B , which It would be the most advanced model in terms of performance. With it, all kinds of accessories and personalized cases have been created, depending on the use to which we are going to allocate it.
Raspberry Pi as a way of life
Its versatility, cost, low consumption, connectivity and easy programming make it a mandatory equipment at home for anyone who likes to mess with the IoT .
Today, we can find countless accessories and devices designed for these miniPCs with which to unleash our imagination and create all kinds of projects, from a desktop computer that we can take everywhere to a game console, to a balloon probe or RC robot.
Here are some of the less common uses for a Raspberry Pi . Do not forget patience, since getting fully into one of these projects can make you break a sweat.
Electric meter
That the light rises is news day in and day out, it seems not to touch the ceiling reaching all-time highs in recent months. The electricity bill of some businesses and homes is rising like foam and a good way to control this expense is to create our own electricity consumption meter with a Raspberry Pi connected to non-invasive current sensors to measure the cost of our home , trade or any particular device that we want to measure.
Private cloud
That privacy is an increasingly fashionable thing is a clear fact. We upload an infinite amount of data to the cloud and many times we do not know very well where or we are left without the free space that many platforms offer us. If what you want is privacy and have as much capacity as you want without paying anyone, your option is to create your own cloud with NextCloud and a Raspberry Pi.
Nintendo Classic Mini
Since the first version of the Raspberry Pi came out, the community has developed all kinds of emulators to install in it the classic arcade games and retro consoles that we could enjoy in the past in arcades and in many of the bars. But this time they have gone further, creating in appearance and shape a classic of video games like the Nintendo NES . Thanks also to 3D printers, the entire casing has been recreated, including the controls. A delight for lovers of retro consoles.
FM radio station
The Raspberry Pi has different types of I / O ports, both analog and digital and, although their power in the output section is not enormous, they can be used for projects as diverse as creating an FM radio station . Yes, as you read it, with your own dial to choose from. Base will not reach more than 15 or 20 meters, enough to have him in our house and transmit to the garden or do tests. With amplifiers you could go further, but using the radio spectrum in the FM radio broadcast band is illegal if you do not have a license.
Weather Station
If you are tired of seeing the weather forecast and never hitting the area where you live, the Raspberry Pi is your solution. With it you can have your own weather station . With all kinds of measurements: rain gauge, anemometer, temperature, humidity … you can even create your own calculations and estimates … in short, have your own predictions. And if all this is not enough for you, there are those who install a GPS and GSM module and send it to fly into the stratosphere with a helium balloon.
HomeBridge, your connected home
With the massive arrival of voice assistants and connected devices, it is increasingly common to see in most homes a connected light bulb, a programmed plug, a domotic blind … But there are several patent systems on the market and not always all they are compatible with each other or they are only compatible with certain operating systems. One of the ways to interconnect various types of devices is HomeBridge , a system created for the Raspberry Pi that will suit your house like a glove if you have several different systems in it. You will be able to create a bridge between your devices and your mobile , be it Android or iOS and you will have them interconnected in an optimal way.
Multimedia center
It is already one of the classics in the world of the Raspberry Pi so we could not ignore it. Have you thought about taking it on a trip? The solution has always been to have it at home, to install Kodi or a USB with movies, but when you go to a hotel, especially abroad, it is a good option . You just have to connect it to the TV with an HDMI cable. In the market you have countless remote controls compatible with Raspberry Pi, with which you can control it without the need for a keyboard and mouse.
In short, the Raspberry Pi is a perfect complement for free time. With it you can create countless projects and automate the heaviest tasks. The only limit is set by you and all your ingenuity. And if you need help, there is a growing community of developers.
