Google’s 2018 refresh made its AIY Voice and Vision kits more self-contained: both included a Raspberry Pi Zero WH and a pre-provisioned microSD card. The Voice Kit was for speech and assistant experiments; the Vision Kit was for camera and image-recognition projects. They shared a smaller computer, but offered different ways to build with AI.
What changed in the 2018 update?
Google said the refreshed kits were redesigned to work with the Raspberry Pi Zero WH and included the board, a USB connector cable and a pre-provisioned SD card. The Voice refresh was called Voice Kit v2; the Vision refresh was Vision Kit v1.2. Raspberry Pi’s contemporaneous report specifies that Vision v1.2 also included a Raspberry Pi Camera Module v2.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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SANOOV Raspberry Pi Zero 2W Kit | $111.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Waveshare RP2040-PiZero Development Board, Based On The Raspberry Pi RP2040 Dual-Core Processor,... | $17.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The update reduced the need to source the core computer and prepare a memory card separately. It did not make the kits identical: their project hardware and software paths remained distinct.
Voice Kit or Vision Kit: what can you make?
| Kit | Main input and output | Documented projects | Processing approach described |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voice Kit v2 | Speech input and speaker output | Try a Google Assistant demo, convert speech to text, and use recognized words to trigger actions in code. | Google’s guide describes experiments using Google Assistant or Cloud Speech-to-Text; some projects may rely on Google services. |
| Vision Kit v1.2 | Camera input, with visual recognition results | Start with Joy Detector, which recognizes faces and detects smiles; try other demos or custom-trained TensorFlow models. | Google’s original Vision Kit announcement described its algorithms as running on-device without requiring a cloud connection. |
The Vision announcement described a Vision Bonnet containing an Intel Movidius MA2450 processor and example TensorFlow models for common objects, faces and expressions, and detecting people, cats or dogs. Those are descriptions of the original product design, not current performance benchmarks.
#1 Best Overall
- Powerful Performance: Equipped with a quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 processor, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W delivers a significant performance boost compared to its predecessor. And built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support enable easy wireless communication and Internet access for your projects, five Times Faster.
- SANOOV Basic Starter Kit for Pi Zero 2 W Include: 1. Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W Board 2.Mini HDMI to Standard HDMI adapter 3.Micro-USB to Standard USB OTG Adapter 4.Aluminum Heatsink 5.40 Pin Header.NOTICE: The kit does NOT include , supply power, case, SD card, keyboard, mouse or monitor.
- SANOOV for Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W features: 1GHz quad-core, 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 CPU VideoCore IV GPU 512MB LPDDR2 DRAM 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN Bluetooth 4.2 / Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) MicroSD card slot Mini HDMI and USB 2.0 OTG ports Micro USB power HAT-compatible 40-pin header Composite video and reset pins via solder test points CSI camera connector.
- Video Output & Efficient Cooling: Supports 1080p30 video output via the mini HDMI port, making it ideal for multimedia applications and streaming.The aluminum heatsink helps dissipate heat, ensuring stable performance even under heavy workloads.
- Compact Size: The tiny size of the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W makes it perfect for space-constrained projects and embedded applications.Ideal for a variety of uses, including IoT projects, home automation, media centers, educational tools, and more.
What comes in each kit?
Voice Kit
Google’s Voice Kit guide lists a Voice Bonnet, Raspberry Pi Zero WH, speaker, microSD card, push button and its hardware, standoffs, micro USB cable, and cardboard enclosure pieces. The guide explains two Wi-Fi and setup approaches. Its monitor-based option requires a monitor or TV, keyboard, mouse, HDMI cable and mini-HDMI adapter, plus an OTG adapter or USB hub; a separate computer is used for wireless communication.
Vision Kit
Google’s Vision Kit guide lists a Vision Bonnet, Raspberry Pi Zero WH, Raspberry Pi Camera v2, flex cables, push button and harness, micro USB cable, piezo buzzer, privacy LED, microSD card, standoffs, nuts and cardboard housing pieces. The guide estimates assembly at 1.5 hours; that is Google’s estimate, not a measured build time.
Rank #2
- RP2040 microcontroller chip designed by Raspberry Pi in the United Kingdom. Dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz
- 264KB of Static Random, and 16MB of onboard Flash memory. Onboard DVI interface can drive most HDMI screens (DVI compatibility required). Supports using as a USB host or slave via onboard PIO-USB port
- Onboard TF card slot for reading and writing TF card. Onboard Lithium battery recharge/discharge header, suitable for mobile scenarios. USB 1.1 with device and host support
- Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB. Low-power sleep and dormant modes. 2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 2 × UART, 4 × 12-bit ADC, 16 × controllable PWM channels
- Accurate clock and timer on-chip. Temperature sensor. Accelerated floating-point libraries on-chip. 8 × Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines for custom peripheral support
The guides can help identify parts, but contents may differ by revision or seller. If considering an older or third-party kit, check the exact version and in-box inventory rather than assuming every listing includes the same components.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should buyers know about availability?
At launch, Google said the updated kits would arrive at Target stores and Target.com in the United States that month, while it worked on wider international retailer availability. That is historical launch information, not confirmation of current stock, pricing or software compatibility. Check a seller’s current listing and the kit revision before buying.
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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.
