Potter Pi is a Raspberry Pi maker project that lets a wand’s movements trigger smart-home actions. An infrared camera detects light reflected from the wand tip, software tracks the moving point and recognizes programmed gestures, and an integration sends a command to a connected device.
How Potter Pi works
The 2019 Potter Pi project describes a camera-based system for controlling smart-home elements by casting spells. Its project description says, “You can control smart home elements by casting spells.” In practical terms, a wand gesture is the input; a recognized movement pattern becomes an instruction for a device.
- Illuminate the tip: Infrared LEDs provide light that can reflect from a wand’s tip.
- See the reflection: A NoIR camera captures the reflected infrared point. The camera is used because the system tracks infrared light, not because the wand itself contains a sensor.
- Track and interpret movement: Software follows the point as the wand moves and compares its path with predefined gestures.
- Send the action: When the movement matches a programmed pattern, the Raspberry Pi runs the associated command. Potter Pi names the Home Assistant REST API among its software components.
A related Make: tutorial, published in 2017, explains the same basic tracking idea in a lamp-control build: OpenCV tracks reflected infrared light, recognizes predefined movement patterns and runs code to control a connected lamp. That is a related project, not the same hardware build as Potter Pi.
Potter Pi’s listed hardware and software
The Hackster Potter Pi project page, published October 25, 2019, lists this setup. Treat it as a snapshot of that project, not as confirmation that the components or instructions are compatible with current Raspberry Pi hardware or software.
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| Part or software | Role in the documented build |
|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi Zero Wireless | Runs the project software and connects the build to the network. |
| Pi NoIR Camera V2 | Captures the reflected infrared point at the wand tip. |
| Pi Zero camera cable and camera case | Connect and mount the camera for the Pi Zero setup. |
| IR LEDs | Provide infrared light; the project list names an IR LED, while its narrative refers to a couple of IR LEDs. |
| Python and OpenCV | Part of the software stack for processing camera input and tracking movement. |
| TensorFlow | Also named in the project’s software stack. |
| Home Assistant REST API | Provides the named integration path for triggering smart-home actions. |
The page’s parts list and software names document what the creator used; they do not establish that a particular current camera, connector, operating-system image or software installation procedure will work unchanged.
Do you need an official Harry Potter wand?
No. The 2017 Make: lamp tutorial says an official theme-park wand is optional. It describes using a wand-like object with a shiny, flat tip—such as a sequin or pearl sticker—that reflects infrared light. The important feature for this tracking method is a visible reflection for the camera, not the wand’s branding.
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Potter Pi versus the related lamp tutorial
Both projects use camera-based tracking of reflected infrared light, but their documented parts and outputs differ. Do not treat one project’s instructions or components as a validated substitute for the other’s.
| Potter Pi (2019) | Make: lamp tutorial (2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Documented board | Raspberry Pi Zero Wireless | Raspberry Pi 3 Model B |
| Camera approach | Pi NoIR Camera V2 with IR LEDs | NoIR camera, IR-pass filter material and an IR LED |
| Gesture processing | Python, OpenCV and TensorFlow are named on the project page | OpenCV tracks reflected IR points and recognizes predefined patterns |
| Documented output | Smart-home elements through the Home Assistant REST API | A connected lamp, using a Particle Internet Button as its light source/controller |
Check compatibility before building
These are dated maker-project references: Potter Pi’s parts and software are from 2019, and the Make: lamp instructions are from 2017. Before buying parts or following old setup steps, verify that the board, camera module, camera cable and connector work together, and check that the software instructions match the operating system and libraries you plan to use. The project descriptions do not establish current compatibility or provide a current installation path.
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In particular, do not assume that a Pi Zero camera cable or case fits a different board, or that a camera module with a similar name uses the same connector. Confirm the exact board and camera revisions against their current documentation before assembly.
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