Welcome! If you’re eager to dive into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) without a steep learning curve, the CEP (Cortic AI Platform) is your ticket to a creative adventure. CEP empowers users with a range of standard AI components, allowing you to learn or rapidly prototype on devices like the Raspberry Pi 4B and 400. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned developer, CEP is designed to help you unleash your creativity in the realm of AI.

Key Components of CEP

CEP is structured around two primary sub-components:

• CAIT (Cortic A.I. Toolkit) – A visual programming interface that lets you create AI projects without prior programming experience.
• CURT (Cortic Universal RunTime) – Middleware that simplifies the process of distributing AI computations across devices in your local network.

Why Use CEP?

Think of CEP as your personal AI workshop. CAIT is like a set of LEGO blocks that even a child can easily snap together to create impressive structures (or in this case, AI projects), while CURT ensures that the big machinery behind the scenes (your processing tasks) runs smoothly and efficiently.

Hardware Configuration

To get started, make sure you have the right hardware:

• Raspberry Pi 4B (2GB, 4GB, or 8GB) or 400 models
• Micro SD card (32GB or more recommended)
• OAK-D camera
• USB Webcam or CSI Camera
• ReSpeaker 4-Mic Array
• Mini speaker
• Compatible battery HAT
• LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor Kit
• Smart home devices compatible with HomeAssistant

Installation Steps

Ready to start your journey? Here’s how to install CEP on your Raspberry Pi:

1. Ensure your SD card has at least 32GB of free space.
2. Open the terminal in RaspberryPi OS and run the following commands:

$ git clone https://github.com/cortictechnology/cep
$ cd cep
$ bash setup.sh

3. Your Raspberry Pi will reboot once the setup completes.

Installing the ReSpeaker Driver

To enable the ReSpeaker 4-Mic array, you will need to install an additional driver. Enter the following commands:

$ git clone https://github.com/respeaker/seeed-voicecard
$ cd seeed-voicecard
$ sudo ./install.sh
$ sudo reboot

After this installation, your device will reboot again. If you see any warning about the kernel after running the setup script, simply reboot your Raspberry Pi again and re-run the driver installation script as instructed.

Getting Started with Visual Programming

Once everything is set up:

1. Make sure your Raspberry Pi is connected to your Local Area Network.
2. On a computer in the same network, open the browser and navigate to http://raspberry_pi_hostname.local/setup to complete the setup process.
3. Access the visual programming interface at http://raspberry_pi_hostname.local/programming.
4. Create a local account via the login page link.

Python Programming

For developers who prefer to code, we recommend using VSCode. Install it with the following commands:

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install code -y

Explore Python sample codes in the examples folder to get acquainted with both CAIT’s low-code API and CURT’s command-based API.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you run into any issues during the installation or setup process, consider the following:

• Did you ensure your SD card has enough free space?
• Try rebooting your Raspberry Pi after any installation to apply updates properly.
• If you encounter errors, especially with the ReSpeaker installation, double-check the kernel version compatibility and reinstall as necessary.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Final Thoughts

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.