Open Hardware/Modding: Compulab, Amiga, and More

posted by Roy Schestowitz on Aug 11, 2025

• CNX Software ☛ Compulab EdgeAI-ORN Jetson Orin NX/Nano computer supports up to 4x GSML2, FPD Link IV, or MIPI CSI camera inputs

  Compulab EdgeAI-ORN industrial-grade Edge Hey Hi (AI) computer is based on NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX/Nano system-on-module and delivers up to 157 TOPS for Hey Hi (AI) workloads with passive (fanless) or active cooling options.

• CNX Software ☛ Sipeed Maix4-HAT – A Raspberry Pi 5 PCIe Hey Hi (AI) module with up to 72 TOPS Hey Hi (AI) power, 4K video output

  The Maix4-HAT is a compact Hey Hi (AI) HAT for the Raspberry Pi 5 built around the MAIX-IV core board, which includes AXERA’s AX650N/C octa-core Cortex-A55 CPU, SoC, delivering up to 72 TOPS (INT4) or 18 TOPS (INT8) with 8K video encode/decode support. It features 8 GB LPDDR4x RAM and 32 GB eMMC storage, as well as interfaces such as PCIe 2.0, HDMI 2.0a (4Kp60), USB 3.0, USB 2.0, multiple camera inputs, SPI LCD, I²C touch, speaker, and fan connectors.

• Hackaday ☛ A Solar-Only, Battery-Free Device That Harvests Energy From A BPW34 Photodiode

  Normally when you think solar projects, you think of big photovoltaic cells. But a photodiode is just an inefficient, and usually much smaller, PV cell. Since [Pocket Concepts]’s Solar_nRF has such a low power budget, it can get away with using BPW34 photodiodes in place of batteries. (Video, embedded below.)

• Hackaday ☛ Amiga Programming In 2025 With AmiBlitz

  Having owned an Amiga microcomputer is apparently a little bit like having shaken hands with Shoggoth: no one can escape unchanged from the experience. Thirty-two years on, [Neil] at The Retro Collective remains haunted by the memories — specifically, the memory of BlitzBasic 2, an Amiga-specific programming language he never found the time to use. What better time to make a game for the Amiga than the year 2025 of the common era?

• Tom's Hardware ☛ Self-taught modder builds completely transparent Game Boy Color circuit board that actually works — PCB looks stunning when matched with fully transparent shell

  Natalie built the schematics and circuit herself, but ordered the clear PCB from a third-party supplier.

• Hackaday ☛ Cheap Thermal Camera Fits The Bill

  If you want to save a little money on a thermal camera, or if you just enjoy making your own, you should have a look at [Evan Yu’s] GitHub repository, which has a well thought out project built around the MLX90640 and an ESP32. The cost is well under $100. You can watch it do its thing in the video below.

• Ruben Schade ☛ Using the PicoPSU and PicoRC on an i486

  I needed a new power supply for my i486 build anyway, so I thought I’d try something new and install a PicoRC! These cards by the illustrious dekuNukem take a modern ATX power connector, and injects the required power rails directly into the ISA bus. Here it is installed: [...]

• Linux Gizmos ☛ (Updated) LILYGO T-Embed CC1101: Enabling Sub-GHz and NFC/RFID Communication

  LILYGO launched the T-Embed CC1101, built around the ESP32-S3 Dual-core LX7. It supports Wi-Fi, BLE 5, and Sub-GHz wireless communication, targeting remote and low-power IoT projects.

• Linux Gizmos ☛ VisionFive 2 Lite with 2GB RAM Starts at $19.9

  After three years since the launch of the original VisionFive 2, StarFive has introduced another device, the VisionFive 2 Lite. The company has launched a campaign on Kickstarter for this cost-effective RISC-V single board computer, aimed at applications in education, AIoT, smart home, and IIoT.