Students are capable of designing and building their own intelligent robots by working collaboratively in teams and applying their multidisciplinary knowledge in areas such as machine learning, electrical circuit design, and peripheral interfacing. NEMO is one such AI-powered interactive robotic companion developed using a Raspberry Pi 4. It recognizes human voices and faces, expresses emotions through sounds and an OLED display, performs gestures using servo motors, and can be remotely controlled via a Flutter-based mobile application.
Designed as an educational, assistive, and entertainment tool, NEMO demonstrates how open-source technologies can be leveraged to create affordable, customizable, and interactive robotic systems. There is a growing demand for low-cost robotic companions that can interact naturally with humans—most commercial robots remain expensive and lack flexibility. NEMO addresses this gap by offering a modular, cost-effective solution that combines voice and face recognition, real-time interaction, and motion control in a compact design.
By integrating artificial intelligence with hardware, NEMO delivers engaging and personalized experiences. It understands voice commands, recognizes faces, performs expressive motions, and conveys emotions visually and audibly. The project highlights how students can translate theoretical knowledge into practical innovation, demonstrating the potential of AI-driven, open-source robotics for education, research, and real-world applications.