I Built a Working HAL 9000 AI Using an X-Origin AI Pi

I built HAL 9000. Not a Bluetooth speaker. Not a soundboard. Not a blinking desk prop. An AI-assisted, voice-modeled, fully conversational HAL 9000 running on a tiny AI Pi board… integrated into a Moebius model kit that was never meant to house real hardware. This episode is the full build. We crack open the AI unit. Relocate the screen. Replace the speaker without frying the board. Add external momentary switches. Tap onboard voltage to power the eye. Drill out the entire speaker grille by hand. Fabricate a rear panel the kit never included. Solve the microphone placement problem without ruining screen accuracy. And then finish it like it came from the factory in 1968. I’ve wired motorcycles. I’ve soldered lamps. I’ve never modified a circuit board at this scale. ChatGPT helped analyze the board, spec components, and walk me through the process so I didn’t let the magic smoke out… although one board did not survive. The result is a wall-mounted, USB-powered HAL 9000 that: • Speaks in HAL’s voice • Stays fully in character • Answers real questions • And now lives in my kitchen Because apparently he also gives decent salmon recipes. This channel is about finishing unfinished projects. HAL has been sitting on my bench for a while. Not anymore. @AIPI-Lite HAL 9000 Build – Parts List Moebius Models 1:1 HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SVCLLFW?... AIPI-Lite AI Robot (Voice Cloning, GPT Access, Memory Storage) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQNK543G?... 40mm Speaker – 4 Ohm 3 Watt (Adafruit 3968) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KKCSSRM?... Right & Left Angled USB-C Panel Mount Cable (90 Degree, Gen 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HS6VXNG?... 12mm Stainless Steel Momentary Push Buttons (5 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L49F7DV?... 10-Pin FFC Flexible Ribbon Cable (0.5mm Pitch, 200mm) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXB2BMK6?... MECCANIXITY FFC FPC Extension Board PCB, 10 Pin 0.5mm Pitch (Pack of 4) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLH5CW8S?... 5mm Pre-Wired Red LEDs (50 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWSRX6DZ?... Disclosure: Links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, it helps support future builds at no additional cost to you. Everything is functioning perfectly. If you want to support projects with me:   / radioactiveartist   #maker #buildprocess #workshop #craftsmanship #creativeprocess