Python Programming with Raspberry Pi

Sai Yamanoor, Srihari Yamanoor

• Publisher: Packt Publishing
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN: 9781786469151
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Hardware
• Index: Computer Science

Become a master of Python programming using the small yet powerful Raspberry Pi ZeroAbout This Book• This is the first book on the market that teaches Python programming with Raspberry Pi Zero• Develop exciting applications such as a mobile robot and home automation controller using Python• This step-by-step guide helps you make the most out of Raspberry Pi Zero using Python programmingWho This Book Is ForThis book is aimed at hobbyists and programmers who want to learn Python programming and develop applications using the Pi Zero. They should have basic familiarity with electronics.What You Will Learn• Configure Raspberry Pi using Python• Control loops to blink an LED using simple arithmetic operations• Understand how interface sensors, actuators, and LED displays work• Get to grips with every aspect of Python programming using practical examples• Explore machine vision, data visualization, and scientific computations• Build a mobile robot using the Raspberry Pi as the controller• Build a voice-activated home automation controllerIn DetailRaspberry Pi Zero is a super-small and super-affordable product from Raspberry Pi that is packed with a plethora of features and has grabbed the notice of programmers, especially those who use Python.This step-by-step guide will get you developing practical applications in Python using a Raspberry Pi Zero. It will become a valuable resource as you learn the essential details of interfacing sensors and actuators to a Raspberry Pi, as well as acquiring and displaying data.You will get started by writing a Python program that blinks an LED at 1-second intervals. Then you will learn to write simple logic to execute tasks based upon sensor data (for example, to control a motor) and retrieve data from the web (such as to check e-mails to provide a visual alert). Finally, you will learn to build a home automation system with Python where different appliances are controlled using the Raspberry Pi.The examples discussed in each chapter of this book culminate in a project that help improve the quality of people's lives.Style and approachThis will be a learning, step-by-step guide to teach Python programming using the famous Raspberry Pi Zero. The book is packed with practical examples at every step along with tips and tricks for the Raspberry Pi fans

Lets Build a Robot!

In this chapter, we built an indoor robot (using the Raspberry Pi Zero as the controller) and documented our experience in a step-by-step guide. We wanted to demonstrate the awesomeness of the combination of Python programming language and the Raspberry Pi Zero's peripherals. We have also included suggestions to build an outdoor robot as well as suggestions for additional accessories for your robot. At the end of this chapter, we have included additional learning resources to build your own robot. Let's get started!

In this chapter, we are going to access the Raspberry Pi Zero via remote login (SSH) and remotely transferred files from the Raspberry Pi Zero. If you are not familiar with the command-line interface, we recommend proceeding to Chapter 11, Tips and Tricks, to set up your local desktop environment.

A Raspberry Pi Zero powered robot

Since we will be making use of a camera for our robot, Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3 or higher is needed for this chapter. Your Raspberry Pi Zero's board version is available on the back. Refer to the following picture:

Identifying your Raspberry Pi Zero's version

Components of the robot

Let's discuss the components of the robot using the labeled picture as an aid (shown in the following figure):

Components of the robot

The following is an explanation for the components of the robot:

• The Raspberry Pi Zero controls the movement of the robot using a motor driver circuit (stacked on top of the Raspberry Pi Zero)
• The motors of the robot are connected to the motor driver circuit
• A USB battery pack is used to power the Raspberry Pi Zero. A separate AA battery pack is used to drive the motors
• The robot is also equipped with a camera module that helps with driving the robot

We have included a suggested list of components where we chose the cheapest source available for the component. You are welcome to substitute with your own components. For example, you can use a webcam instead of using the Raspberry Pi camera module:

Component	Source	Quantity	Price (in USD)
Chassis	https://www.adafruit.com/products/2943	1	9.95
Chassis top plate	https://www.adafruit.com/products/2944	1	4.95
A set of M2.5 rows, spacers, and nuts	http://a.co/dpdmb1B	1	11.99
DC motors in servo body	https://www.adafruit.com/products/2941	2	3.50
Wheel	https://www.adafruit.com/products/2744	2	2.50
Castor wheel	https://www.adafruit.com/products/2942	1	1.95
Raspberry Pi Zero	https://www.adafruit.com/products/3400	1	5.00
A Raspberry Pi Zero camera module	http://a.co/07iFhxC	1	24.99
A Raspberry Pi Zero camera adapter	https://www.adafruit.com/products/3157	1	5.95
A motor driver circuitry for Raspberry Pi Zero	https://www.adafruit.com/products/2348	1	22.50
USB battery pack	http://a.co/9vQLx2t	1	5.09
AA battery pack (4 batteries)	http://a.co/hVPxfzD	1	5.18
AA batteries	NA	4	N.A.
Raspberry Pi camera module mount	https://www.adafruit.com/products/1434	1	4.95

In the interest of saving time, we chose off-the-shelf accessories to build robot. We specifically chose Adafruit for the ease of purchase and shipping. If you are interested in building a robot that needs to suit outdoor conditions, we recommend a chassis similar to http://www.robotshop.com/en/iron-man-3-4wd-all-terrain-chassis-arduino.html.

As makers, we recommend making your own chassis and control circuitry (especially the motor drive). You can make use of software such as Autodesk Fusion (the link is available in the resources section) to design the chassis.

Setting up remote login

To control the robot remotely, we need to set up remote login access, that is, enable the SSH access. Secure Shell (SSH), and it is a protocol that enables remote access of a computer. The SSH access is disabled by default on the Raspbian operating system for security reasons. In this section, we will enable the SSH access to the Raspberry Pi Zero and change the Raspberry Pi Zero's default password.

If you are not familiar with the SSH access, we have provided a quick tutorial in Chapter 11, Tips and Tricks. We would like to keep the focus on buildin...

Table of contents

• Credits
• About the Authors
• About the Reviewer
• www.PacktPub.com
• Customer Feedback
• Preface
• Getting Started with Python and the Raspberry Pi Zero
• Arithmetic Operations, Loops, and Blinky Lights
• Conditional Statements, Functions, and Lists
• Communication Interfaces
• Data Types and Object-Oriented Programming in Python
• File I/O and Python Utilities
• Requests and Web Frameworks
• Awesome Things You Could Develop Using Python
• Lets Build a Robot!
• Home Automation Using the Raspberry Pi Zero
• Tips and Tricks