1980s Toy Robot Wins Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with Raspberry Pi

An engineer at the robotics company Viam Robotics transformed an old toy robot into a modern robot equipped with a Raspberry Pi microcomputer and artificial intelligence (AI). Called Omnibot MAIV, the project used the Tomi Omnibot 2000, a classic robot from the 1980s—MAIV stands for ‘Modernized with AI and Viam’, but is also an anagram of the word Viam.

The company has released a tutorial explaining how to replace the old toy and turn it into a modern robot using wireless commands and artificial intelligence. With the changes, the Omnibot MAIV will be able to connect remotely and uses machine learning technique to learn how to interact with the modern world around you – after all, the robot was born in the 1980s.

In addition to the Omnibot 2000 itself, the following are required to build the Viam version: LEDs, webcam, 12V battery, single logic board such as Raspeberry Pi 4B or others running 64-bit Linux system, others equipment and peripherals. The tutorial also suggests that enthusiasts can create their own versions of Omnibot MAIV and add different possibilities such as a color and object detection system.

The Tomi Omnibot 2000 is a programmable robot introduced in the 1980s that can serve drinks and food and has a detachable tray for bringing snacks to its owners. In Brazil, the toy is currently available for around R$4,000.

Omnibot MAIV Training

According to the company’s tutorial, the aim is to bring the original vision of the product to life using up-to-date technologies. “By bringing in new technology and renaming it Omnibot MAIV (Modernized with AI and Viam), we’re bringing the Omnibot 2000 closer to the vision of the home robot that many have (and still do) have. We will preserve the original shell, styling and engines wherever possible.”

The tutorial explains that they tried to preserve as much of the original Omnibot 2000 hardware as possible, leaving it with the classic look of an 80’s robot, but with more equipment and amenities to make it more modern. Full details on how to replace the robot are available on the Viam website.