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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11The Raspberry Pi AI Kit brought local AI inference to Raspberry Pi 5 through a Hailo-8L accelerator. The original bundle paired a Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT+ with a pre-installed 13 TOPS Hailo-8L module; it did not include the Raspberry Pi 5. Raspberry Pi now lists the kit as discontinued and identifies the 13 TOPS Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ as its functional equivalent for new designs.
What was the Raspberry Pi AI Kit?
Announced in 2024, the kit was a hardware bundle for running machine-learning workloads locally on a Raspberry Pi 5. It combined a Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT+ with a Hailo-8L accelerator module in the M.2 2242 form factor. The module came pre-installed in the HAT+, which connected to the Pi 5 through its PCIe interface. The kit’s accelerator was specified at 13 TOPS (trillions of operations per second). Hackster.io’s 2024 launch coverage reported a launch price of $70.
That price referred to the AI Kit bundle, not a complete computer. The host Raspberry Pi 5 was a separate purchase. The kit was aimed at industrial and professional applications as well as enthusiast and maker projects, with edge inference—processing data on the device rather than sending it to a cloud service—as its central use case.
What did the Raspberry Pi and Hailo partnership add?
The collaboration was about software and developer support as well as the accelerator hardware. The launch announcement highlighted Hailo’s software suite and model zoo, and described an online developer community intended to offer tutorials and a place for users to share projects and collaborate. These were part of the announcement-era support story; the partnership should not be read as a claim that every model or AI framework would work automatically with the kit.
#1 Best Overall
- All-in-One AI Learning Lab Powered by Raspberry Pi & Multi-LLMs. Turn Raspberry Pi (5 / 4B / 3B+ / 3B / Zero 2W) into a complete AI learning lab with support for multi-LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Qwen, Doubao, and Ollama. Includes Pan-Tilt HAT,10-axis (10DOF) module, camera, and high-quality components. Learn AI through guided video lessons created with educator Paul McWhorter. (Raspberry Pi not included)
- Build Fun Multi-Modal AI Projects with Voice, Vision & Sensors. Combine sensors, breadboard circuits, Multi-LLMs, voice recognition, and camera vision to create engaging multi-modal AI projects. Learn STT and TTS through hands-on programming, turning abstract AI concepts into interactive projects you can see, hear, and control—perfect for AI beginners
- AI Vision Tracking with YOLO, OpenCV, MediaPipe & Pan-Tilt HAT. Create intelligent vision projects using OpenCV and MediaPipe to detect and track objects, colors, and human movements. The Pan-Tilt HAT allows your projects to actively follow targets, helping learners understand how AI vision and motion work together in real systems
- Fusion HAT+ Power System with Voice AI Interaction. The Fusion HAT+ provides power, safe shutdown, and simplified hardware control via a unified Python library. With the Fusion HAT+ featuring a built-in speaker and microphone, easily build AI voice interaction projects by combining Multi-LLMs with sensors and electronic components
- Step-by-Step Learning with Video Lessons & Technical Support. Includes a structured, project-based curriculum with clear documentation, sample code, and video tutorials created with Paul McWhorter. Backed by responsive technical support and an active community, this kit helps beginners confidently progress from Python basics to AI and interactive projects
Raspberry Pi co-founder and CEO Eben Upton described the goal as enabling industrial customers to build “extremely cost-effective and power-efficient” AI solutions. Hailo co-founder and CEO Orr Danon emphasized support for Raspberry Pi’s engineering and maker community. Those statements set out the companies’ positioning, not independent measurements of power use, cost savings, or project performance.
Is the Raspberry Pi AI Kit still available?
No. Raspberry Pi’s current documentation says the AI Kit is no longer in production and recommends AI HAT+ or AI HAT+ 2 for new designs. Raspberry Pi describes the kit as having the same specifications as, and being functionally equivalent to, the 13 TOPS Hailo-8L version of AI HAT+. See the official AI HAT documentation and AI software guide.
Rank #2
- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 with 2.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core CPU (8GB RAM)
- Includes 128GB Micro SD Card pre-loaded with 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS, USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Turbine Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5
- CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- Mega Heat Sink - Black Anodized
For a new build seeking the original kit’s Hailo-8L configuration, the closest current match is Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 13 TOPS. It is a current product rather than a continuation of the old bundle, and it does not change the fact that a Raspberry Pi 5 host is required.
How do the current Raspberry Pi AI options differ?
Raspberry Pi’s current documentation describes three options. The HAT+ models use Hailo-8L or Hailo-8 accelerators; AI HAT+ 2 is a distinct product with a Hailo-10H accelerator and onboard memory. Their TOPS figures describe stated accelerator performance, but TOPS alone does not establish which option will best run a particular model or project.
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Rank #3
- Raspberry Pi AI Robot: powered by Raspberry Pi (5/4B/3B+/3B/Zero 2W), features 12 servos and sensors for vision, hearing, and touch. Integrated with ChatGPT-4o, it responds to complex queries. With app control and FPV, users can manage and see its view in real-time. It supports Python programming
- Realistic Movements: 12 powerful servos enable 32 actions, including walking, sitting, standing, shaking its head, wagging its tail, and performing playful tricks, closely mimicking a real and providing an engaging experience
- Rich Sensor Suite for Interactive Experiences: features ultrasonic, touch, gyroscope, sound, camera, speaker and microphone. These provide it with advanced hearing, vision, and touch, enabling it to see, detect obstacles, respond to touch, and recognize sounds, making interactions highly engaging
- Engaging Interactions with ChatGPT-4o: with ChatGPT-4o enables voice interactions and visual recognition, making it smarter and more responsive. Users can have natural conversations, solve math problems via the camera, and interpret gestures, creating diverse and fun interactions
- Comprehensive Learning Resources and Support: offers detailed online documentation, video tutorials, prompt technical support, and an active forum community, ensuring beginners can easily complete all projects and enjoy a great experience
| Option | Accelerator and stated performance | Memory and workload context | Price information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Raspberry Pi AI Kit | Hailo-8L, 13 TOPS, as reported at its 2024 announcement (Hackster.io) | M.2 HAT+ with pre-installed accelerator; designed for local inference. No separate onboard memory figure is stated in the cited launch materials. | $70 reported launch price in 2024 (Hackster.io); discontinued. |
| Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 13 TOPS | Hailo-8L, 13 TOPS (Raspberry Pi) | Raspberry Pi describes it as functionally equivalent to the original kit’s Hailo-8L configuration. Supports camera-stack integration and vision post-processing such as object detection, image segmentation, and pose estimation. | $70 list price in Raspberry Pi’s product brief, accessed in 2026; regional or current street prices may differ. Raspberry Pi documentation |
| Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 26 TOPS | Hailo-8, 26 TOPS (Raspberry Pi) | Higher stated accelerator performance than the 13 TOPS HAT+; check the target model and software support rather than choosing on TOPS alone. | $110 list price in Raspberry Pi’s product brief, accessed in 2026; regional or current street prices may differ. Raspberry Pi documentation |
| Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 2 | Hailo-10H, 40 TOPS (Raspberry Pi) | 8 GB onboard memory; Raspberry Pi identifies local large language model (LLM) and vision-language model (VLM) use as capabilities. This is a later, different product, not a feature of the original AI Kit or AI HAT+. | Not stated in the cited documentation. |
The 13 TOPS AI HAT+ is the straightforward choice when you want the capability Raspberry Pi associates with the discontinued kit. The 26 TOPS HAT+ offers a higher stated performance figure within the HAT+ line, but project fit depends on the models and software you intend to use. AI HAT+ 2 is the distinct option to consider when the workload calls for its supported local LLM or VLM capabilities and onboard memory; those features should not be attributed to the original kit.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do you need to use an AI HAT with Raspberry Pi?
Raspberry Pi’s documented AI software workflow requires a Raspberry Pi 5, a 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS installation, and a supported Hailo NPU option with the relevant software components and supported models. The HAT connects the Hailo accelerator to the Pi 5 for hardware-accelerated local inference; it does not, by itself, supply a complete AI application or make every model compatible.
Rank #4
- AI-Powered Raspberry Pi Smart Car — PiCar-X: PiCar-X brings AI learning to life — powered by Openclaw and multi-LLMs including ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Qwen, Doubao, Ollama (Local LLMs), and compatible with many more AI platforms. Featuring OpenCV, MediaPipe, TTS & STT, PiCar-X enables true AI vision and voice interaction — it can see, listen, talk, drive and think like an intelligent companion. Ideal for students (10+), educators, and engineers, PiCar-X is the perfect gateway to explore AI, robotics, and machine learning on Raspberry Pi 5/4/3B+/3B/Zero 2W (Raspberry Pi not included)
- Engaging Interactions with Multi-LLMs: PiCar-X, powered by Openclaw and multi-LLMs — including ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Qwen, Doubao, and Ollama (Local LLMs) — and compatible with many other AI platforms, supports voice interaction and visual recognition to make the robot smarter and more responsive. Users can enjoy natural AI conversations, solve math problems through the camera, and interpret gestures, unlocking a world of diverse and fun AI-driven interactions
- Feature-rich and Adaptable: PiCar-X offers engaging applications like line following and obstacle avoidance, supports TTS (Text-to-Speech) and STT (Speech-to-Text) for interactive voice control, and includes a camera for video and vision recognition. It also comes with various sensors, while its customizable design enables a wide range of creative AI and robotics projects
- Versatile Programming Options: Catering to users of all skill levels, PiCar-X supports both Python and Scratch programming languages, allowing for flexible learning and skill development
- Simplified Assembly & Support: PiCar-X is perfect for beginners, yet learning with experienced users is recommended for best results. It comes with easy assembly instructions and forum support for smooth project completion
A camera is needed for camera-based vision projects, not for every AI workload. Raspberry Pi’s guide names Camera Module 3 as one example of a supported camera. For compatible camera frameworks, the Hailo accelerator can handle vision-based neural-network tasks such as object detection, segmentation, or pose estimation. Consult the AI software guide for the documented setup and software support.
What are the current AI HAT+ operating and support details?
Raspberry Pi lists an ambient operating-temperature range of 0°C to 50°C for AI HAT+ and says it expects the product to remain in production until at least January 2030. These specifications apply to AI HAT+, not the discontinued AI Kit. Availability and retail pricing can vary by region and seller; Raspberry Pi’s product brief lists the two HAT+ versions at $70 and $110 respectively, but those are list prices, not a guarantee of current street prices.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

