Talking HAL 9000 with RP2040 Prop Maker Feather

published October 10, 2023, last updated October 03, 2024

posted in LEDs 3D Printing Feather CircuitPython Programming/ MicroPython / CircuitPython

Intermediate

Project guide

Overview

Build a prop replica of the iconic HAL 9000 from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. Powered by the Adafruit RP2040 Prop-Maker Feather and CircuitPython, this project uses Adafruit's biggest arcade button to trigger audio samples.

Thanks to advanced built-in capabilities of the Prop-Maker feather, we don't even have to do any soldering in this project, all wiring can be done with the terminal blocks and a screwdriver!

This is a ‘remake’ of an earlier Adafruit project that used Arduino and a Wave shield - now we can simplify the project to have better quality audio and no soldering required thanks to the Feather’s integrated audio amplifier and built-in storage.

The arcade button features an LED that when pressed, randomly plays a audio wav file as the LED blinks, creating a "talking" effect. A 3W enclosed speaker is used to output high quality digital audio from the RP2040 Prop-Maker Feather's I2S audio amplifier.

The enclosure is comprised of 3D printed parts that are fastened together with machine screws. The Feather's USB port is accessible on the side of the prop for powering and reprogramming.

Requisite Guides

Take a moment to review the following guides for more information.

Parts

Head-on shot of illuminated massive red 100mm arcade button.

Massive Arcade Button with LED - 100mm Red

OMG WATCH OUT! This 100mm diameter arcade button with a 10mm deep plastic base is so massive and inviting it may collapse upon itself and form a black hole from...

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Video of a white hand pressing a button to briefly turn an LED strip into white lights. Also wired up to the microcontroller are a servo motor and a speaker.

Adafruit RP2040 Prop-Maker Feather with I2S Audio Amplifier

The Adafruit Feather series gives you lots of options for a small, portable, rechargeable microcontroller board. By picking a feather and stacking on a FeatherWing you can create...

guides with product

$19.95

In Stock

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Mono Enclosed Speaker with Plain Wires - 3W 4 Ohm

Listen up! This single 2.8" x 1.2" speaker is the perfect addition to any audio project where you need 4 ohm impedance and 3W or less of power. We...

$3.95

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Angled shot of ten ~8.5" long quick-connect wire pairs in white and blue.

Arcade Button and Switch Quick-Connect Wires - 0.25" (10-pack)

Quick connector wire sets make wiring up our arcade-style or metal buttons quicky-quick. Each wire comes as a 'pair' with two 0.25" quick-connects pre-crimped. The wires...

$4.95

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5V 2A Switching Power Supply with USB-A Connector

5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector

Our 5V 2A USB power adapter is the perfect choice for powering single-board computers like Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, or anything else that's power-hungry!This adapter was...

$7.95

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1 x USB-A to USB-C Cable

Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 2 meters long

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1 x Rubber Feet

Little Rubber Bumper Feet - Pack of 4

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1 x M3 x 10mm Machine Screws

Assortment Kit

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1 x M2.5 x 6mm Machine Screws

Assortment Kit

Buy Now

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The diagram below provides a general visual reference for wiring of the components once you get to the Assembly page. This diagram was created using the software package Fritzing.

Adafruit Library for Fritzing

Adafruit uses the Adafruit's Fritzing parts library to create circuit diagrams for projects. You can download the library or just grab individual parts. Get the library and parts from GitHub - Adafruit Fritzing Parts.

Wired Connections

The RP2040 Prop-Maker Feather is powered by 5V USB power supply.

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Build Volume

The parts require a 3D printer with a minimum build volume.

110mm (X) x 128mm (Y) x 50mm (Z)

3D Printed Parts

STL files for 3D printing are oriented to print "as-is" on FDM style machines. Parts are designed to 3D print without any support material using PLA filament. Original design source may be downloaded using the links below.

Download CAD source

Download STLs.zip

3D Printed Parts List

Bezel.stl
Bottom Box.stl
Feather Mount.stl
Front Panel A.stl
Front Panel B.stl
Grille.stl
Label.stl
Middle Box.stl
2x Speaker Bracket.stl
Top Box.stl

Multi-Color Label

The HAL900 label can be printed in multiple colors using the change filament technique. In CURA slicer, open the post processing plugin window by going to the top file menu:

Extensions > Post Processing > Modify GCode

Click, Add a script and choose Filament Change.

Enter 3 in the layer input box for the first change. Then, add another filament change and enter 7 in the layer input box.

Filament Colors

For the label, use a black color filament for the first 1-2 layers. The, use a blue color filament for layers 3-6. A white color filament is used for layers 7-10.

For the two front panels, use a dark gray/black color filament.

The top, middle and bottom boxes use a silver color filament, as well as the speaker grill.

Design Source Files

The project assembly was designed in Fusion 360. This can be downloaded in different formats like STEP, STL and more.

Electronic components like Adafruit's boards, displays, connectors and more can be downloaded from the Adafruit CAD parts GitHub Repo.

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CircuitPython is a derivative of MicroPython designed to simplify experimentation and education on low-cost microcontrollers. It makes it easier than ever to get prototyping by requiring no upfront desktop software downloads. Simply copy and edit files on the CIRCUITPY drive to iterate.

CircuitPython Quickstart

Follow this step-by-step to quickly get CircuitPython running on your board.

Download the latest version of CircuitPython for this board via circuitpython.org

install_circuitpython_on_rp2040_RP2040_UF2_downloaded.jpg

Click the link above to download the latest CircuitPython UF2 file.

Save it wherever is convenient for you.

To enter the bootloader, hold down the BOOT/BOOTSEL button (highlighted in red above), and while continuing to hold it (don't let go!), press and release the reset button (highlighted in red or blue above). Continue to hold the BOOT/BOOTSEL button until the RPI-RP2 drive appears!

If the drive does not appear, release all the buttons, and then repeat the process above.

You can also start with your board unplugged from USB, press and hold the BOOTSEL button (highlighted in red above), continue to hold it while plugging it into USB, and wait for the drive to appear before releasing the button.

A lot of people end up using charge-only USB cables and it is very frustrating! Make sure you have a USB cable you know is good for data sync.

install_circuitpython_on_rp2040_RP2040_bootloader_drive.jpg

You will see a new disk drive appear called RPI-RP2.

Drag the adafruit_circuitpython_etc.uf2 file to RPI-RP2.

The RPI-RP2 drive will disappear and a new disk drive called CIRCUITPY will appear.

That's it, you're done! :)

Safe Mode

You want to edit your code.py or modify the files on your CIRCUITPY drive, but find that you can't. Perhaps your board has gotten into a state where CIRCUITPY is read-only. You may have turned off the CIRCUITPY drive altogether. Whatever the reason, safe mode can help.

Safe mode in CircuitPython does not run any user code on startup, and disables auto-reload. This means a few things. First, safe mode bypasses any code in boot.py (where you can set CIRCUITPY read-only or turn it off completely). Second, it does not run the code in code.py. And finally, it does not automatically soft-reload when data is written to the CIRCUITPY drive.

Therefore, whatever you may have done to put your board in a non-interactive state, safe mode gives you the opportunity to correct it without losing all of the data on the CIRCUITPY drive.

Entering Safe Mode

To enter safe mode when using CircuitPython, plug in your board or hit reset (highlighted in red above). Immediately after the board starts up or resets, it waits 1000ms. On some boards, the onboard status LED (highlighted in green above) will blink yellow during that time. If you press reset during that 1000ms, the board will start up in safe mode. It can be difficult to react to the yellow LED, so you may want to think of it simply as a slow double click of the reset button. (Remember, a fast double click of reset enters the bootloader.)

In Safe Mode

If you successfully enter safe mode on CircuitPython, the LED will intermittently blink yellow three times.

If you connect to the serial console, you'll find the following message.

Copy Text

Auto-reload is off.
Running in safe mode! Not running saved code.

CircuitPython is in safe mode because you pressed the reset button during boot. Press again to exit safe mode.

Press any key to enter the REPL. Use CTRL-D to reload.

Auto-reload is off.
Running in safe mode! Not running saved code.

CircuitPython is in safe mode because you pressed the reset button during boot. Press again to exit safe mode.

Press any key to enter the REPL. Use CTRL-D to reload.

You can now edit the contents of the CIRCUITPY drive. Remember, your code will not run until you press the reset button, or unplug and plug in your board, to get out of safe mode.

Flash Resetting UF2

If your board ever gets into a really weird state and CIRCUITPY doesn't show up as a disk drive after installing CircuitPython, try loading this 'nuke' UF2 to RPI-RP2. which will do a 'deep clean' on your Flash Memory. You will lose all the files on the board, but at least you'll be able to revive it! After loading this UF2, follow the steps above to re-install CircuitPython.

Download flash erasing "nuke" UF2

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Copy the Code and Libraries

You need to copy the code and all of the necessary libraries to your Feather.

Thankfully, we can do this in one go. In the example below, click the Download Project Bundle button below to download the necessary libraries and the code.py file in a zip file. Extract the contents of the zip file, and copy the entire sounds folder and the code.py file to your CIRCUITPY drive.

Your CIRCUITPY drive should contain the following files and folders.

Download Project Bundle

Copy Code

# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2023 Phil Burgess for Adafruit Industries
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT

"""
HAL 9000 demo project for Adafruit Prop Maker Feather RP2040 and "Massive
Arcade Button with LED - 100mm red." This simply monitors for button presses
and then randomly plays one WAV file from the CIRCUITPY filesystem.
No soldering required; using quick-connects, LED and button can be wired
to screw terminals on the Prop Maker Feather board.
NOTE: WAV FILES MUST BE 16-BIT. This will be fixed (allowing 8-bit WAVs if
desired) in CircuitPython 9.0.
"""

# pylint: disable=import-error
import os
import random
import time
import audiocore
import audiobusio
import board
import digitalio
import pwmio


# HARDWARE SETUP -----------------------------------------------------------

# LED+ is wired to "Neo" pin on screw terminal header, LED- to GND.
# The LED inside the button is NOT a NeoPixel, just a normal passive LED,
# but that's okay here -- the "Neo" pin can also function like a simple
# 5V digital output or PWM pin.
led = pwmio.PWMOut(board.EXTERNAL_NEOPIXELS)
led.duty_cycle = 65535  # LED ON by default

# Button is wired to GND and "Btn" on screw terminal header:
button = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.EXTERNAL_BUTTON)
button.direction = digitalio.Direction.INPUT
button.pull = digitalio.Pull.UP

# Enable power to audio amp, etc.
external_power = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.EXTERNAL_POWER)
external_power.direction = digitalio.Direction.OUTPUT
external_power.value = True

# I2S audio out
audio = audiobusio.I2SOut(board.I2S_BIT_CLOCK, board.I2S_WORD_SELECT, board.I2S_DATA)

# Find all Wave files in CIRCUITPY storage:
wavefiles = [
    file
    for file in os.listdir("/sounds/")
    if (file.endswith(".wav") and not file.startswith("._"))
]
print("Audio files found:", wavefiles)

# FUNCTIONS ----------------------------------------------------------------


def play_file(filename):
    """Plays a WAV file in its entirety (function blocks until done)."""
    print("Playing", filename)
    with open(f"/sounds/{filename}", "rb") as file:
        audio.play(audiocore.WaveFile(file))
        # Randomly flicker the LED a bit while audio plays
        while audio.playing:
            led.duty_cycle = random.randint(5000, 30000)
            time.sleep(0.1)
    led.duty_cycle = 65535  # Back to full brightness


# MAIN LOOP ----------------------------------------------------------------


# Loop simply watches for a button press (button pin pulled to GND, thus
# False) and then plays a random WAV file. Because the WAV-playing function
# will take a few seconds, this doesn't even require button debouncing.
while True:
    if button.value is False:
        play_file(random.choice(wavefiles))

# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2023 Phil Burgess for Adafruit Industries
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT

"""
HAL 9000 demo project for Adafruit Prop Maker Feather RP2040 and "Massive
Arcade Button with LED - 100mm red." This simply monitors for button presses
and then randomly plays one WAV file from the CIRCUITPY filesystem.
No soldering required; using quick-connects, LED and button can be wired
to screw terminals on the Prop Maker Feather board.
NOTE: WAV FILES MUST BE 16-BIT. This will be fixed (allowing 8-bit WAVs if
desired) in CircuitPython 9.0.
"""

# pylint: disable=import-error
import os
import random
import time
import audiocore
import audiobusio
import board
import digitalio
import pwmio


# HARDWARE SETUP -----------------------------------------------------------

# LED+ is wired to "Neo" pin on screw terminal header, LED- to GND.
# The LED inside the button is NOT a NeoPixel, just a normal passive LED,
# but that's okay here -- the "Neo" pin can also function like a simple
# 5V digital output or PWM pin.
led = pwmio.PWMOut(board.EXTERNAL_NEOPIXELS)
led.duty_cycle = 65535  # LED ON by default

# Button is wired to GND and "Btn" on screw terminal header:
button = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.EXTERNAL_BUTTON)
button.direction = digitalio.Direction.INPUT
button.pull = digitalio.Pull.UP

# Enable power to audio amp, etc.
external_power = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.EXTERNAL_POWER)
external_power.direction = digitalio.Direction.OUTPUT
external_power.value = True

# I2S audio out
audio = audiobusio.I2SOut(board.I2S_BIT_CLOCK, board.I2S_WORD_SELECT, board.I2S_DATA)

# Find all Wave files in CIRCUITPY storage:
wavefiles = [
    file
    for file in os.listdir("/sounds/")
    if (file.endswith(".wav") and not file.startswith("._"))
]
print("Audio files found:", wavefiles)

# FUNCTIONS ----------------------------------------------------------------


def play_file(filename):
    """Plays a WAV file in its entirety (function blocks until done)."""
    print("Playing", filename)
    with open(f"/sounds/{filename}", "rb") as file:
        audio.play(audiocore.WaveFile(file))
        # Randomly flicker the LED a bit while audio plays
        while audio.playing:
            led.duty_cycle = random.randint(5000, 30000)
            time.sleep(0.1)
    led.duty_cycle = 65535  # Back to full brightness


# MAIN LOOP ----------------------------------------------------------------


# Loop simply watches for a button press (button pin pulled to GND, thus
# False) and then plays a random WAV file. Because the WAV-playing function
# will take a few seconds, this doesn't even require button debouncing.
while True:
    if button.value is False:
        play_file(random.choice(wavefiles))

Audio Files

The included wav audio files were generated using the text to speech feature in macOS. To create your own, reference this learn guide.

The format of the audio file should be:

.Wav File format – 16-bit integer (Little Endian)
Mono, 22.050 kHz

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Quick Connect Cables

Use two sets of quick connect cables for wiring the arcade button switch and LED.

Cut off the JST connectors from wires, leaving only the spade connectors.

Use wire strippers to remove a bit of insulation from each wire.

Tin the exposed wire using a bit of solder.

Feather Mount

Use 2x M2.5 x 6mm long machine screws to secure the Feather to the PCB mount.

Secure Feather

Place the Feather onto the PCB mount in the correct orientation as shown here.

Insert and fasten the M2.5 screws to secure the Feather to the PCB mount.

Mounts for Speaker

Use 4x M3 x 10mm long screws and hex nut to secure the 3W enclosed speaker to the two speaker mounts.

Secure Speaker

Place one of the two mounts behind the mounting tabs on the enclosed speaker.

Insert an M3 screw through the mounting tab and fasten a hex nut to secure the mount to the enclosed speaker.

Repeat process for the second speaker mount.

Join Bottom and Middle Boxes

Use 4x M3 x 10mm long screws and hex nuts to secure the bottom box to the middle box.

Secure Bottom and Middle Boxes

Orient the bottom and middle box so the center and mounting holes are lined up correctly.

Insert and fasten the M3 screws through the mounting holes. Install the M3 hex nuts to secure the two boxes together.

Install Panel A

Insert Panel A through the slotted opening in the middle box. Push to slide the panel all the through.

Ensure the panel is facing the desired surface.

Arcade Button Parts

Disassemble the parts from the arcade button. To remove the switch from the threaded stem of the button, twist counter-clockwise and pull out.

Unscrew the included nut from the threaded stem and remove the coupling plate.

Attach Bezel

Use adhesive or double-sided tape to secure the 3D printed bezel to the black outer ring of the arcade button.

Be careful not to add too much adhesive to avoid squeeze out.

Press the button actuator to ensure it still works properly.

Install Arcade Button

Insert the button from the front with the notches lined up properly. Push button until it's flush with the panel.

Secure Arcade Button

Flip assembly to the back and replace the coupling plate. Twist the coupling plate until it latches onto the notch.

Insert and fasten the included plastic nut onto the threaded stem. Twist until fully tightened.

Panel Mounted Arcade Button

Take a moment to ensure the arcade button is properly secured to the panel.

Install Speaker to Bottom Box

Get the speaker ready to secure to the bottom box.

Insert the speaker from the back and line up the mounting tabs with the mounting holes on the side.

Secure Speaker to Bottom Box

Insert 4x M3 x 10mm screws through the side of the bottom box and tabs of the speaker mount.

Fasten 4x M3 hex nuts onto the screws to secure the speaker.

Installed Speaker

Take a moment to ensure the speaker has been correctly secured to the bottom box.

Adhere Label to Panel B

Get the 3D printed label ready to attach to Panel B.

Use adhesive or double-sided tape to adhere the label to the panel.

Reference the photo for best placement. Ensure the orientation of the label is correct.

Install Label to Top Box

Insert the panel into the slotted opening in the top box.

Push to slide the panel all the way through.

Secure Top Box to Middle Box

Bring the top box to the middle box and ensure the center and mounting holes are lined up.

Use 4x M3 x 10mm long screws and hex nuts to secure the top box to the middle box.

Secured Boxes

Take a moment to ensure the parts have been properly secured.

Install LED to Arcade Button

Begin installing the LED back onto the arcade button.

Insert and twist clockwise to lock the switch into the threaded stem.

Install Wires for LED

Firmly press the blue wire spade connector onto the cathode terminal of the LED.

Repeat for the white wire and anode terminal of the LED.

Install Wires for Switch

Firmly insert a white wire spade connector onto the normally open (NO) terminal of the switch.

Repeat for the blue wire onto the common terminal.

Route Wires

Insert the four wires through the center hole going out of the bottom box.

Install Speaker Wires to Feather

Insert and secure the two wires from the speaker to the speaker screw-block terminals on the Feather.

Install Ground Wires to Feather

Insert and secure the two blue wires into the ground screw-block terminal on the Feather.

Install LED+ Wire

Insert and secure the white wire from the LED to the NEO pin screw-block terminal on the Feather.

Install Switch Wire to Feather

Insert and secure the white wire from the switch to the BUTTON pin screw-block terminal on the Feather.

Secure Feather Mount

Position the PCB Mount into the bottom box with the mounting tabs lined up with the mounting holes.

Use 2x M3 x 10mm long screws and hex nuts to secure the PCB mount to the bottom box.

USB Port

Ensure the Feather's USB port is accessible through the side of the bottom box.

Install Grill

Orient the speaker grill face up and press fit into the recess of the bottom box until it's flush.

USB Power

Insert a USB-C type cable to the Feather's USB port. Use a 5V 2A wall adapter or computer USB hub to power the Feather.

Final Build

Congratulations on your build, Dave. Press the arcade button to play a random audio file from the sound folder stored on the CIRCUITPY drive.

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Overview

Requisite Guides

Parts

Adafruit Library for Fritzing

Wired Connections

Build Volume

3D Printed Parts

3D Printed Parts List

Multi-Color Label

Filament Colors

Design Source Files

CircuitPython Quickstart

Safe Mode

Entering Safe Mode

In Safe Mode

Flash Resetting UF2

Copy the Code and Libraries

Audio Files

Quick Connect Cables

Feather Mount

Secure Feather

Mounts for Speaker

Secure Speaker

Join Bottom and Middle Boxes

Secure Bottom and Middle Boxes

Install Panel A

Arcade Button Parts

Attach Bezel

Install Arcade Button

Secure Arcade Button

Panel Mounted Arcade Button

Install Speaker to Bottom Box

Secure Speaker to Bottom Box

Installed Speaker

Adhere Label to Panel B

Install Label to Top Box

Secure Top Box to Middle Box

Secured Boxes

Install LED to Arcade Button

Install Wires for LED

Install Wires for Switch

Route Wires

Install Speaker Wires to Feather

Install Ground Wires to Feather

Install LED+ Wire

Install Switch Wire to Feather

Secure Feather Mount

USB Port

Install Grill

USB Power

Final Build

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