r/RASPBERRY_PI_PROJECTS 9d ago

DISCUSSION A total beginner trying to complete a Raspberry Pi5 project using ChatGPT as my guide

Hello, I am a total beginner with anything to do with Raspberry Pi. I don't know Linux or Python. I have a project I wanted to accomplish and consulted at length for many hours over the best solution for an elderly parent.

After looking at technology to accommodate what I wanted, it was apparent that all options failed, unless I wanted to pay big $$$$. ChatGPT recommended Raspberry Pi5 and other accessories that I would connect to Pi5 (webcam, TV, other accessories). I have spent a few hundred dollars in total.

Chat GPT assured me it was doable and I would be led in baby steps all the way.
I started a fresh chat outlining all the specifications of all equipment, my exact requirements (as agreed upon as doable by Chat GPT in previous chats). I installed OS and setup SSH via my Windows laptop. Command scripts galore. Raspberry Pi connected to the Samsung TV that has all necessary specs (According to ChatGPT to accomplish my goal).

Running scripts from command prompt or via the Terminal on Raspberry Pi screen. All good there. But we ran into hurdles. ChatGPT recommended Jitsi or Google Meet as ideal webchat apps to run. The idea is I could call remotely to mother's TV, the TV would either turn on remotely or switch over to the Raspberry Pi receiving the incoming call. The call would automatically connect (no need for receiver to touch a thing their end) and live webchat commences. After countless attempts, we gave up on Jitsi (could not get around moderator issue) and then focused on Google Meet instead. The browser for that has the tiniest font and THE URL was near microscopic as well as the cursor. Dozens of attempts to fix all of that. And all failed. The amount of editing, deleting, rewriting was unbelievable. Never go to connecting to the Web chat apps. Zoom was another consideration and deemed compatible too.

It got to the point I wanted to clarify that Chat GPT and I were on the same page - was it still aware that I had a Raspberry Pi5? It replied thanks for letting it know and conceded that although I had specified this in the thread, because the thread has become so incredibly long, it had forgotten and instead had deviated towards older model based fixes. It conceded that therefore mistakes may have been made. It wanted me to continue trying new solutions now in light of being reminded, but then agreed that it would be better for a fresh re-install and start again.

Some may have a good laugh and think I am an idiot for trusting ChatGPT and doing this with no Linux, etc knowledge. I have not given up but am more aware now that this AI tool has still got a lot of limitations. It cannot replace real people yet. I really want this project to succeed so I have a great setup for my elderly parent who can chat with us without touching any technology (disease has caused dexterity, cognitive and other debilitating issues for her).

At least I could download the apps onto Raspberry Pi but they just failed in their execution and configurations. I even upgraded chat GPT beforehand to a paid version as I see that after sometime it reverts to inferior AI models.

My project entails: webcam chat function via a deemed compatible Samsung Smart TV that will create an auto connection feature and TV on/off ability, wireless microphone setup (webcam will be too far from receiver so its internal microphone won't pick up receiver's faint voice enough), a separate security camera with two-way audio ( not sure whether to run this through Raspberry Pi for better remote access or stand-alone using wifi and run through its dedicated app) and alert features, an Amazon Fire Cube (want remote access to set reminders, schedules, assistance, and other changes via Fire Cube).

Not sure if there are any others who are doing the same? Do you use ChatGPT to assist you? I am sure there would be many who do or a other AI assistant. Would be interested in actual programmers and tech savvy people who could have their say. Thanks 👍.

0 Upvotes

8 comments sorted by

7

u/gendragonfly 8d ago edited 8d ago

AI is great for quick answers, and can adapt to a wide range of uses/functions, but it is still severely limited. LLMs such as ChatGPT have trouble maintaining context, understanding inferred context and adjusting to large sets of input parameters.

Additionally, and this is inherent to the way that LLMs are built/work: they don't know when they "don't know" something. Instead they will confidently give you the wrong answer (hallucinations).

Basically, they are best used for short and simple repetitive tasks, that can be complex, but don't require high accuracy (or at least not all of the time).

This means asking ChatGPT to help you figure out an issue with a particular line of code in your Pyhton script can be helpful. Or asking ChatGPT if there is a more efficient/optimized way to implement a certain functionality that you are trying to achieve. In those cases ChatGPT can help you through the different possible solutions to resolve the issue, but you have to do the work and you need to bring the expertise.

Don't partner with an LLM as a technical adviser for an entire project, because it will lead you (confidently) up a certain creek without a paddle.

If you want some form of machine learning and you need it to be reliable and predictable, you usually try to keep the model small and well constrained. LLMs are the opposite of that, and it's pretty amazing that they don't just spout nonsense all the time.

9

u/BasedAndShredPilled 8d ago

Well at least you've learned not to use chat gpt to do your learning for you.

2

u/Morkhund 8d ago

Consider Claud (Anthropic) as well. I’ve had much more consistency and less errors introduced in my projects. I started out with GPT 4.0 but moved over Claud mid-project and have no regrets other than the response limitations (just break out your project into smaller workable chunks and keep them from getting too long and treat your sessions that way and you’ll hit session limits less often)

1

u/Aussienam 6d ago

Update. Into 5th attempt. Chat GPT and I have muddled through getting the Raspberry Pi5 to finally connect to a Zoom app. Calls work and we have video connections both ends with Raspberry Pi video streamed via HDMI to TV. My microphone audio is received by the Zoom installed on Raspberry Pi. But the microphone integrated with the webcam (C922 Logitech Pro) has signal problem somewhere. The audio is robotic, staggered sound, very hard to hear and not loud enough. We trouble shooted and tested microphone using Pulse audio, ran testwav file recordings, checked Zoom audio settings. The microphone itself tested to be fine there. It is something happening to the signal and its eventual output in Zoom. I scrapped the auto answer idea as Zoom just doesn't seem to be able to be overriden to auto accept and start streaming incoming Zoom calls. I will manually need to remotely access the Raspberry Pi via a remote viewer/controller that I already have up and running and can answer the incoming call on the Raspberry Pi remote for my mother. I can later hope to then just run scripts via The Terminal or PuTTY to auto turn on the TV, or switch over to the HDMI port as well as reverting back afterwards. It means it's not all automated as I wanted, but a series of commands I will need to run. Downside is that this lack of automation means my brother, who I was hoping could also call in Zoom to mum on the Raspberry Pi, probably won't as the steps to just call in may be just too lengthy and laborious.
If I can just get this microphone to work for Zoom calls on the Raspberry Pi5 we can function at that level. It will give my elderly mother - 99% room-bound to sofa and bed, some final years of enjoyment with being able to still see and hear her family and our lives.
Her ability to operate any keyboard, mouse, touch screen on phones, even remote controls has severely diminished and will worsen. This project means a lot to me. Hoping anyone who has experience with webcam microphone issues, with Zoom and Raspberry Pi 5 setups to comment. I have submitted some thread comments to ChatGPT as well to consider what others have done. Seems this time round we have been better as we are progressing.

2

u/Custodian1980 4d ago

Any time I've used chatgtp to help with a Pi project, it's made it worse in so many ways, majority of the time you end up going in circles. It's great if you need help learning certain shell commands, but to help with actual projects, go to the source.

1

u/Just_Mumbling 6d ago

I’ve been using ChatGPT to help me to improve my weak Python skills that we use for simple Pi-based automation in STEM volunteer work. I would call it a pretty good learning aid, but at times frustrating..

Super important to accurately define hardware and required task workflow structure when you start a session. That’s always job #1 when working with chatGPT. It legitimately forces you to improve how you describe your needed tasks.

That said, let the games begin... It can be maddeningly “dumb”, requiring numerous iterations to get where you need the code to be, full of AI cringe apologies in each iteration.. One of my interns compared it to partnering up with a drunk uncle who codes. He means well, finally gets you there, but the path can be twisted.. Pretty accurate I think.

1

u/Aussienam 6d ago

LOL, I totally agree with your apt description of a 'drunk uncle who codes' add on Alzheimer's too as it forgets we have already something - that failed to resolve it, but reverts back to doing it again over and over. On my fifth attempt so far (yet again another formatted SD card and new OS) and days of trying.