Raspberry Pi Zero Cluster Board: Pi Zero Computing Cluster

Idein , a startup in Japan, is currently developing a computing module with the Raspberry Pi Zero. The goal is the creation of Actbulb, a multifunctional device for solving various problems, including data analysis. This device is designed to work in "smart" houses, and should be very small, it is planned to be placed in a regular cartridge for a regular light bulb.

So far, everything is in the design stage, and the company decided to create the first prototype based on 16 Raspberry Pi Zero. According to the idea, a real computing cluster should be able to solve many problems.

We've almost finished creating PiZero cluster board. But I wonder when we can buy the remaining 15 PiZeros. #PiZero pic.twitter.com/mvHyoonlix

- Koichi Nakamura (@ 9_ties) January 20, 2016

In order to assemble all the “raspberries” together, a special board was created with 32 micro-USB ports. Each mini-card has 2 ports. One for power - the other for data exchange. In addition, there are 16 Ethernet connectors.

“We are creating a sensor that uses the Raspberry Pi computing module. Therefore, we need a lot of “raspberries” for development and testing. We use mini-PCs for image processing, deep learning and other tasks. We need real Pi, but not only for working with them as Linux machines, ”says the project developer.



As you can see, there is only one “raspberry” on the board now, simply because the company does not have more, and the boards are not sold in the public domain. Now the company collects “with the world on a thread”, and after they collect all 16 mini-PCs, the cluster will work in full force.

The cluster itself is already planned to be sold by adding an Ethernet switch, GPIO, HDMI and more.

Improvement plan. Any comments? pic.twitter.com/vWJCs9dwzg

- Koichi Nakamura (@ 9_ties) January 24, 2016

The founder’s Twitter is actively discussing the idea, so you can offer something on your own if you wish.