Soldering the depth-sensor connections
With Fletcher off the projector for a camera upgrade, I use the chance to solder a pin header onto the depth-sensor board, attach jumper wires, and connect it back to the Pi.
Read the build breakdownBuilding my own Jarvis.
FLETCHER
A personal AI.
A desk that responds to you.
I’m building Fletcher to help run my day and my home. Right now, I’m making her projected desk respond to my hands.
From the actual desk
Moving cards on the desk.
A projector draws the workspace.
A camera tracks my hands.
Working at the desk
Tested September 5, 2026
Grab and move
Pinch a card and move it across the projected workspace.
Stretch with two hands
Bring your hands together or apart to resize a card.
Make room
Nearby cards shift and resize as you move things around.
THE BUILD JOURNAL
Inside the build.
The videos show the moment. The build notes explain how I got there.
Replacing the wide camera above the desk
With the SSD move finished, I swap the wide camera above the desk for an Arducam Camera Module 3 NoIR 75° supplied by a supporter, aiming for a less distorted view for the hand tracker.
Read the build breakdown
Moving Fletcher off the microSD card
Supporters sent a USB enclosure for the SSD I already owned, so I clone Fletcher's system off the microSD card and onto the drive while keeping the AI HAT installed.
Read the build breakdownBuild along
What would you want Fletcher to do?
Bring a feature idea, a question from a build video, or something you’re working on. You don’t need to send a part to join in.
Your first visit
The invite opens #welcome-and-rules in AlexSchar’s server. Read that first, then head to #ideas-and-feedback.
A place to start: what would make a projected desk useful to you?
The hardware
What’s in Fletcher.
The current desk setup, the parts I’m considering, and equipment for building and filming.
Supporters have sent 27 parts so far. Thank you.
The current desk setup
Core hardware documented in the September 5 build.
Computer
Raspberry Pi 5 · 8GB
Runs Fletcher’s desk software and connects the camera to the projected workspace.
Product detailsHand tracking
Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 2
The Hailo-10H board handles the desk’s hand-tracking models.
Product detailsCamera
Camera Module 3 Wide NoIR
Watches the desk from above. This is the Wide NoIR version; the standard-angle camera is a separate wishlist candidate.
Product detailsProjection
HY300 projector
Projects the workspace onto the desk. The TCL projector on the wishlist is a possible replacement.
An exact current shopping link is still being checked.
Already owned for other work
VL53L5CX depth sensor: owned, with desk testing still ahead.
M5Stack Atom Echo: documented as the desk voice satellite; voice work is tracked separately from the projected desk.
Atom Lite + Atomic Echo Base: owned for a planned room satellite.
XIAO ESP32-C6 + Dorhea IR modules: owned for projector-control experiments.
This identifies the core hardware. It is not yet a complete assembly guide.
Parts under consideration
46 wishlist listings, grouped by what they would help with. Inclusion does not mean a part is installed or tested with Fletcher.
Desk & mounting4 listings
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
Large Felt Desk Protective Pad
A supporter sent this projection-surface pad. Whether the dark grey surface helps or dims the image gets tested at the desk.
- Shop for yourself
Mounting upgrade
DNSbabi Overhead Camera Mount (18lb
A stronger overhead mount to consider for the rig. Mounting clearance and load need checking.
- Shop for yourself
Projector candidate
TCL C1 Smart Google TV Projector
A possible replacement for the HY300. Throw distance and usable image size need checking at this desk.
- View on Amazon
Mounting supplies
CAMVATE 1/4-20 mini ball head (2 pcs)
Small ball heads for aiming a camera or light on the boom.
Choose an item on Amazon’s registry to send it to the build.
Cameras & hand tracking9 listings
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
Wonrabai 22-to-15 Pin CSI Cable 500mm
A supporter sent this CSI camera cable. It connects the Arducam module to the Pi 5’s camera port.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
Arducam for Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3
A supporter sent the standard-angle NoIR camera. It will be compared against the current Wide module for calibration accuracy.
- Shop for yourself
Experiment
Univivi 15-LED IR Illuminator 850nm
Infrared lighting for hand tracking. Power requirements and performance on this desk still need testing.
- Shop for yourself
Incomplete option
innomaker GS Global Shutter Camera (IMX296 Mono)
Monochrome camera. A compatible lens is also needed and has not been selected.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
SMALLRIG 22" Magic Arm Clamp
A supporter sent this magic arm clamp. It’s for mounting a camera or phone overhead on the boom; load rating still needs checking against what’s attached.
- View on Amazon
Depth experiment
IMX219-83 stereo binocular camera module
A dual-camera module for depth experiments. It has not been tested with the current hand-tracking pipeline.
- View on Amazon
Vision experiment
Pixy2 smart vision sensor
A standalone object-tracking camera to experiment with. It is not part of the current tracking setup.
- View on Amazon
Jetson experiment
Jetson Orin aluminum case with camera holder
A case for a Jetson Orin board being considered as a separate hand-tracking computer; no Jetson is in the build today.
- View on Amazon
Jetson experiment
Waveshare speed-adjustable cooling fan for Jetson
A cooling fan for a Jetson Orin board being considered as a separate hand-tracking computer; no Jetson is in the build today.
Choose an item on Amazon’s registry to send it to the build.
Voice2 listings
- Shop for yourself
Speaker candidate
Creative Pebble V3
Speakers to consider for Fletcher’s voice output.
- Shop for yourself
Microphone candidate
seeed studio reSpeaker XVF3800 USB Microphone Array
A USB microphone array to test for pickup across the room.
Choose an item on Amazon’s registry to send it to the build.
Home control8 listings
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
JESSINIE HLK-LD2410 24GHz mmWave presence module
A supporter sent this presence-sensing module. It still needs a controller and wiring before it can join Home Assistant.
- Shop for yourself
✓ 1 of 4 sent
Kasa Smart Plug HS103P2
One two-pack has been sent; three more are still requested. The first plug is planned for the desk lamp through Home Assistant.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus-E Gateway
A supporter sent this Zigbee coordinator. It’s what the Aqara P1 motion sensors have been waiting for before they can join Home Assistant.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
Aqara Presence Sensor FP2
A supporter sent the desk-presence sensor. Local setup and the Home Assistant integration get checked when it arrives.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
Aqara Zigbee 3.0 Motion Sensor P1
A supporter sent the three-pack of Zigbee motion sensors. The Zigbee coordinator they need has now been sent too, so pairing them into Home Assistant is the next step.
- Shop for yourself
Unavailable right now · Later experiment
iLC A15 LED Color Changing Light Bulb
IR-controlled bulbs for a future lighting experiment; separate from the current projector work.
- View on Amazon
Flipper Zero add-on
NRF24 module for Flipper Zero
Expands the Flipper Zero used to capture the projector’s remote codes. Separate from Fletcher’s own hardware.
- View on Amazon
Flipper Zero add-on
Flipper Zero external module with OLED, Wi-Fi, 433MHz and GPS
A development board for the Flipper Zero. Separate from Fletcher’s own hardware.
Choose an item on Amazon’s registry to send it to the build.
Depth-sensor testing4 listings
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
GeeekPi 2x20 40 Pin Stacking Female Header Kit
A supporter sent the header kit. It is for reaching GPIO under the AI HAT+ 2; the height still needs checking.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
Quluxe RPi GPIO Breakout Board + Ribbon Cable (T-type)
A supporter sent this GPIO breakout board. It gives more room to wire and test sensors before they’re built into the rig.
- Shop for yourself
Test wiring
SparkFun Qwiic Cable Kit
Cables to consider for the depth sensor already owned. Connector needs depend on the final wiring route.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
Seeeduino XIAO Expansion Board
A supporter sent this expansion board. It’s for building the XIAO ESP32-C6 projector remote controller.
Choose an item on Amazon’s registry to send it to the build.
Power & connections16 listings
- Shop for yourself
Unavailable right now · Backup power
APC BE600M1 7-Outlet Back-UPS Network
Battery backup to consider for the Pi and network equipment.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
Amazon Basics Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable
A supporter sent this micro-HDMI cable. It’s a spare for connecting the Pi’s video output to the projector or a monitor.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
CableCreation Angle USB-C Cable 100W (Black)
A supporter sent this angled USB-C cable. It’s for a tight power connection behind the desk where a straight cable won’t fit.
- Shop for yourself
Test equipment
Plugable USB-C Power Meter Tester 240W
A meter for measuring power draw on the rig.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
SSK NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure
A supporter sent the enclosure for the NVMe drive already owned. Fit gets checked when it arrives.
- Shop for yourself
Compare price first
SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC
A spare boot-card listing. Its saved price was flagged for review; compare current offers.
- Shop for yourself
Backup equipment
UGREEN SD Card Reader USB-C
A card reader for imaging and backing up the Pi’s boot card.
- Shop for yourself
Power supply candidate
CanaKit 45W USB-C Power Supply (27W@5A) for Pi 5
A spare supply. Confirm its 5V output and suitability for the Pi and attached hardware.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
GLHONG Angled Micro-HDMI Adapter
A supporter sent this angled micro-HDMI adapter. It’s for HDMI clearance behind the desk where a straight connector won’t fit.
- View on Amazon
✓ Sent to the build
HiLetgo 5V 3A charge/discharge module (2 pcs)
Supporters sent all four requested charge-and-discharge modules, a building block for battery-powered sensor nodes.
- View on Amazon
Storage candidate
Disk Pro 1TB portable SSD with cooling fan and HDMI hub
A cooled external SSD with a built-in hub. Whether it suits the Pi’s USB and power budget still needs checking.
- View on Amazon
Cable management
ZhiYo 95in wall cord cover kit
Covers for routing projector and power cables along the wall behind the desk.
- View on Amazon
Desk power
Jgstkcity desk clamp power strip with USB-C
A clamp-on power strip to bring outlets and USB power to the desk edge.
- View on Amazon
Portable power
Solar power bank 40000mAh PD 20W
Battery power for sensor nodes or filming away from an outlet. Output ratings still need checking against each device.
- View on Amazon
✓ Sent to the build
Cable Matters USB 3.0 extension 3 ft
A supporter sent this USB 3.0 extension cable. It gives more reach for connecting the desk’s USB devices without a full re-route.
- View on Amazon
Level shifting
10-pc SN74AHCT125N bus buffer ICs
Logic-level buffers for driving 5 V signals from the Pi’s 3.3 V pins, e.g. LED strips; not yet used.
Choose an item on Amazon’s registry to send it to the build.
Network3 listings
- Shop for yourself
Optional network upgrade
GL.iNet GL-MT6000 Flint 2 Router
A separate router to consider later. It is not required for the current desk tests.
- View on Amazon
✓ Sent to the build
TP-Link AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 extender RE605X
A supporter sent this Wi-Fi 6 extender. It’s being considered to strengthen the signal reaching the desk where Fletcher’s network gear sits.
- View on Amazon
✓ Sent to the build
Cable Matters Cat 6 3 ft 5-pack
A supporter sent this 5-pack of Cat 6 cables. They’re for wiring up the network gear on the build without hunting for spare cables.
Choose an item on Amazon’s registry to send it to the build.
For building and filming
15 wishlist listings for the workshop and build videos. These are separate from the hardware running Fletcher.
Printing & rig supplies6 listings
- Shop for yourself
Printing supplies
Creality 2kg Black & White PLA 1.75mm Filament Bundle
PLA filament for printed parts once a printer is chosen.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
Hilitchi 240pcs M2/M3 Brass Standoff Kit
A supporter sent this brass standoff kit. It’s for mounting boards and panels with the right spacing as the rig comes together.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
NEEWER 26PCS Camera Screw Set UA002
A supporter sent the camera-mount screw set for the boom and camera adapters.
- Shop for yourself
Printing supplies
Overture PETG 1.75mm 1kg (Grass Green)
PETG filament for printed parts. Material choice depends on the part and printer.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
QSJ 12pcs M2.5/M3/M4 Threaded Inserts + Soldering Tips
A supporter sent this threaded-insert kit. It’s for adding metal threads to printed parts so screws don’t strip the plastic.
- View on Amazon
Printer option
Creality K2 Plus Combo 3D printer
The printer candidate currently on the registry, for printing the rig and mounts. Earlier printer listings were removed.
Choose an item on Amazon’s registry to send it to the build.
Workshop tools8 listings
- Shop for yourself
Workshop
Amazon Basics 19-Compartment Small Parts Organizer
Storage for small electronic and mechanical parts.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
FEITA Helping Third Hands Soldering Magnifier Tool
A supporter sent the board holder for soldering.
- Shop for yourself
Workshop
HPFIX Anti-Static Mat + ESD Wristband
A work mat and wrist strap for handling electronics.
- Shop for yourself
Workshop
ZSHX Lead-Free Solder Wire Sn99/Ag0.3/Cu0.7
Lead-free solder for assembly work.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
Fanttik E2 Ultra Electric Screwdriver
A supporter sent this electric screwdriver. It’s for workshop assembly, from rig mounts to board enclosures.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent twice
Fanttik T1 Max Soldering Iron Kit
Two supporters sent this soldering-iron kit; one is what the build needs. Registry quantity has been met.
- Shop for yourself
✓ Sent to the build
Solder Smoke Absorber
A supporter sent the fume extractor for soldering.
- View on Amazon
Workshop
Mayouko double-sided tools organizer
Storage for screws, nuts, and small parts.
Choose an item on Amazon’s registry to send it to the build.
Filming1 listing
- Shop for yourself
Filming
UBeesize Phone Tripod w/ Wireless Remote
A phone tripod for recording the build.
Choose an item on Amazon’s registry to send it to the build.
Want to send a part?
Choose it on the build registry. Amazon shows current prices and requested quantities.
How supporter credit worksBuying for yourself
Gear links
The “Shop for yourself” links above are affiliate links. They buy a part for you; the registry sends a part to the build. I may earn a commission.
Other saved gear links8 listings
These earlier buying links are kept here with their relationship to the build explained. They are not a second list of installed parts.
- View listing
M5Stack Atom Lite ESP32
Atom Lite is owned for a planned room satellite; it is separate from the Atom Echo used at the desk.
- View listing
Atomics Base AI Voice Recognition
Echo Base is owned for the planned room satellite. It is not part of the projected desk.
- View listing
Creality CR-Scan Otter
A 3D scanner for fabrication. It is not the camera used for hand tracking.
- View listing
Samsung Odyssey G9 49"
A monitor from the saved gear list. It is not the projected desk’s display.
- View listing
RasTech Raspberry Pi 5 Kit 8GB
Pi 5 kit from the saved gear list. The core computer is documented above.
- View listing
Magcubic Mini Projector (WiFi 6, portable)
Saved projector link. An exact match to the HY300 on the desk has not been confirmed.
- View listing
Tilt Adjustable Pi Camera Module v2 Mount
Saved Camera Module v2 mount link. Fit with the current Module 3 needs checking.
- View listing
Creality Ender 3 V3 SE 3D Printer
Saved Ender 3 buying link. This and the registry Ender listing are not counted as two printer needs.
Supporters
Thanks for helping build Fletcher.
If you send a part through the registry, you can ask to have your name listed here.
The easiest way
Add a gift note at checkout.
When Amazon offers a gift message, ask for credit using the name you want on the wall. I’ll check the gift before adding your name.
Use a name you’re comfortable showing publicly.
Please add me to the Fletcher wall as @yourname.
Already ordered? Request credit here.
Use this if you missed the gift note or Amazon didn’t offer one. No Discord account or receipt screenshot needed.