With the Google Assistant built-in, build an intelligent speaker that can understand you, and respond when you ask it a question or tell it to do something. Create your own projects that use voice recognition to control robots, music, games, and more.

We've created a new version of our original kits that make classroom use easier with the AIY Vision Kit 2 and the AIY Voice Kit 2. Each one now includes everything you need to get going right in the box. We've also released a new Android App that greatly simplifies configuration of the device. To help students learn more about AI we're introducing a new AIY Models area to our site that showcases a collection of pre-built AI models designed to work with AIY kits. Now students can load up new models to explore different facets of AI, like a new smile detector model that lets you instantly tell whether someone looking into a Vision Kit is smiling. Over time we'll be adding new models that explore new functionality and content about each model.

The microcomputer's official magazine is giving away free AI kits as part of a new partnership with Google. The MagPi, a monthly publication offering tips, tricks and tutorials for Raspberry Pi fans, made headlines last year when it gave away a free Raspberry Pi Zero on the cover of every copy to celebrate the device's launch. This month, the magazine is going one better, offering an AI kit with every copy to let users build their own Google voice-powered projects. As part of a freshly announced partnership with Google, dubbed AIY Projects (short for Artificial Intelligence Yourself), The MagPi is launching a new add-on board for the Raspberry Pi called the Voice HAT (Hardware Accessory on Top), allowing makers to integrate artificial intelligence and natural-language processing into their projects. "We are moving to a human interface world, where users will simply have a conversation with a device," said Google's director of AIY Projects, Billy Rutledge.