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Raspberry Pi: Turn the popular single-board computer into a smart doorbell and intercom

Raspberry Pi: Turn the popular single-board computer into a smart doorbell and intercom. (Image source: Hacker Shack)
Raspberry Pi: Turn the popular single-board computer into a smart doorbell and intercom. (Image source: Hacker Shack)
A new project transforms the Raspberry Pi a doorbell with video functionality. The doorbell can be used as an intercom too. You can then use your phone to communicate with whoever is at your door.

The Smart Doorbell / Video Intercom system, as its name suggests, transforms a Raspberry Pi into a smart doorbell. Posted by Hacker Shack on Hackster.io, the project recommends a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, but you should be able to use or Raspberry Pi models too. We would recommend using a Raspberry Pi 4, for instance, as it has considerably more processing power than its predecessor does. Hacker Shack notes that the code has not been validated for the Pi 4, so there could be some bugs.

You will also need access to a 3D printer for the case and a soldering iron for attaching the push button and connecting its LED ring. The latter will also be needed when connecting the unit's speaker. The project lists all the parts that you will need, though. Likewise, Hacker Shack has posted a detailed guide to assembling the doorbell.

Hacker Shack has used Jitsi Meet to run the unit, in which you will need to configure the camera, display and microphone. Hacker Shack notes that the design leaves the USB port exposed, which poses a security flaw if someone wanted to gain access to your network. Hacker Shack recommends some workarounds this, but another possible one would be to rework the case design slightly to make the USB port harder to access.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2020 04 > Raspberry Pi: Turn the popular single-board computer into a smart doorbell and intercom
Alex Alderson, 2020-04- 1 (Update: 2021-09-28)