Airail – AI-Powered LEGO Train

🤖

Advanced AI Brain

Real-time decision making, sign reading, obstacle avoidance, and contextual understanding.

🎤

Two-Way Voice Interaction

Speak to the train – it listens, processes, and responds with natural voice.

📹

Live Dual-Camera Feed

Onboard wide-angle view + dedicated OCR camera for reading track signs.

🔋

Smart Auto-Charging

Detects low battery → returns to docking station → charges via solar power.

🌡️

Per-Carriage Monitoring

Temperature sensors in every carriage – real-time safety alerts.

🛤️

Intelligent Routing

Motorized points switch automatically based on AI decisions and voice commands.

☀️

Solar Charging Station

Stationary solar panel keeps the batteries topped up when parked.

🌐

Live Multi-Angle Streaming

Onboard view + static cameras around the layout – full immersive experience.

🧠

Object Detection

Real-time YOLO-powered detection of obstacles, track issues, and layout elements.

⚡

Live Overlays

Dynamic on-screen data: speed, battery, temperature, location, and more.

🗺️

GPS Tracking

Real-time location logging and overlay for precise journey mapping.

🧩

Modular Expansion

Easily add new features, sensors, or carriages for future upgrades.

Full Components List

Core Microcontroller & Control

Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W — 1×
Raspberry Pi 5 (8 GB) — 2×

Motor & Drive System

LEGO Powered Up Train Motor (88011) — 2× (front + rear)
Raspberry Pi Build HAT — 1×
Raspberry Pi Build HAT Power Supply (8 V DC adapter) — 1×

Power System

Protected 18650 batteries (3000 mAh) — 8–10×
Slim 18650 holders (single-row / 3-in-line) — 2–4×
2S BMS 10–20 A — 2×
TP4056 charger module — 6×
Buck converter (5 V 5–8 A) — 2×
Boost converter (7–9 V) — 1× (optional)
Decoupling capacitors — 10–20×
USB-C breakout / short 5 A cable — 2×
Schottky diode (1N5819) — 4×

Temperature Monitoring (Per Carriage)

BME280 I²C sensor module — 6×
I²C multiplexer (TCA9548A) — 1×
Thin jumper wires (28–30 AWG) — extra pack

Sensors & Detection

TCS34725 RGB color sensor — 1×
KY-003 Hall sensor — 6×
Reed switch module — 4×
KY-018 photoresistor — 1×
HC-SR04 ultrasonic — 1×
KY-032 / FC-51 IR obstacle — 3×
MFRC522 RFID reader — 1×
MPU6050 accel/gyro — 1×
NEO-6M GPS module — 1×
External GPS antenna — 1×

Headlight & Audio

5 mm ultra-bright white LED — 2×
100–220 Ω resistors — 10×
Active buzzer / piezo — 1×

Speech AI

ReSpeaker 2-Mics Pi HAT — 1×
MAX98357A I²S amp + 3–5 W speaker — 1 set
3.5 mm / I²S wires — 1× set

Camera System

Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 Wide — 1×
Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 Standard — 1×
CSI cables (22-pin Pi 5) — 2× + spares

Cooling

Raspberry Pi Active Cooler — 2×
AI HAT+ heatsink (included) — 1×
Ventilated case / open mount — 2× (optional)

Motorized Points / Turnouts

Micro servo motors (SG90 / MG90S) — 4–8×
PCA9685 16-channel PWM servo driver — 1×
Servo extension cables / jumper wires — 1 pack
3D-printed / LEGO linkage arms — 4–8×

Wiring & Tools

Jumper wires assortment — 2–3 packs
Breadboard — 2×
Resistors assortment — 1 pack
Logic level shifter — 1×
Multimeter — 1×

Solar Station

Foldable 20–50 W solar panel — 1×
MPPT controller with USB — 1×

VPS / Streaming & Advertising

Hetzner Cloud VPS (CPX31 / CX41) — 1× (~£6–10/month)
Domain name (airail.co.uk) — 1×

Fringe / Spares

Relay module — 1×
Pogo pins / copper tape — 8× + tape
Neodymium magnets — 10×
RFID tags — 10×
Heat shrink tubing — 1 pack
Soldering kit — 1 set
Mounting hardware — assortment