Another Ambassador Moment: Pi Zero W Remote Micro Computer

2022-05-06 | By Fredy Martinez

License: Public Domain 3D Printing Raspberry Pi

Experimenting with the RPI platform was how I became introduced to tinkering. If you ignore the very raw look of the board and are patient with the setup steps, you realize how simple and fun these boards can be. The Pi Zero’s small footprint and powerful brain made it the ideal choice for this project.

Originally I had the idea to try and create a device similar to the digital frame made by infinite objects. After doing some research, I realized that the frame is flashed with a single image. I wanted the ability to change what was displayed at a moment’s notice. As I began adding features, I realized what I really wanted was basically just a small computer.

Testing Screen

I decided to use the RPI Zero W because of its built-in features (WiFi, Bluetooth, small form factor). Next, I decided to use a 5-inch screen that provided enough detail without being too clunky. I used a small 2500 mAh portable battery, but anything can be used (you can also directly connect it to power and not worry about charging).

Setting up the PI

Once I had all the parts together, I had to decide how I wanted to put it all together. There were a few off-the-shelf options, but I wanted something a bit more custom and cleaner. I reached out to a close friend, and he designed a case I love that reminds me of a small TV. After a few test prints, we had our final design, and all that was left was setting it all up.

Back case test print

Front Case test print

My main issues came from using the wrong SD card and finding a way to remote control the PI while also sharing the screen. Originally I had used a random SD card, but after flashing it with the latest Raspberry Pi OS the WiFi drivers would not work. After hours of troubleshooting, I decided to switch SD cards and reflash which fixed all my issues. Once I had the OS up and running, I had to work on a solution to remote into the PI. Although I could have used Bluetooth peripherals, I wanted to try and have this be fully remote-able. After looking at different solutions, the one that made the most sense was a VNC server. The Pi has built-in capabilities that allow you remote and direct control of the screen, unlike other solutions that would just create a virtual screen.

For a step-by-step on setting up a VNC server follow the link below.

https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/tutorials/2020/how-to-setup-a-raspberry-pi-for-headless-remote-access

Here is a video showing the parts and case:

STL files for the case can be downloaded here.