Hellbender Recaps a Groundbreaking Year at FIRA Robotics and Pi Developer/Partners Events

Last year, Hellbender made significant strides in the world of robotics and AI hardware as we participated in two pivotal events: the FIRA Robotics Event in Woodland, California, and the UK Pi Developer/Partners Event. These gatherings provided us with the opportunity to showcase our cutting-edge technologies, connect with industry leaders, and solidify our position as the premier US-based design partner for imaging, camera-based, and edge device solutions utilizing Raspberry Pi.

FIRA Robotics Event: Advancing Agricultural Automation

The FIRA Robotics Event brought together leading experts in agricultural robotics to explore the latest advancements in farming technologies. With automation increasingly recognized as the key to solving labor shortages and promoting environmental sustainability, this event highlighted transformative solutions for the agricultural industry.

At FIRA, Hellbender demonstrated our capabilities in AI-driven solutions designed for agricultural robotics, with a focus on improving crop monitoring, soil management, and harvesting efficiency. Our Hailo 8 and Compute Module 4 (CM4) combination—first introduced earlier in the year—took center stage, illustrating how advanced AI processing can be seamlessly integrated into robust hardware designs for autonomous systems.

The event provided an excellent platform to engage with partners interested in leveraging our expertise to develop innovative farming technologies. We left the conference inspired and well-positioned to drive meaningful advancements in agricultural robotics.

UK Pi Developer/Partners Event: Expanding the Design Partner Ecosystem

Hellbender also participated in the UK Pi Developer/Partners Event, which brought together an ecosystem of design partners, distributors, and industry leaders. This wasn’t just a gathering of makers—it was a high-caliber platform for showcasing the potential of Raspberry Pi in industrial and commercial applications.

As the premier US-based partner for Raspberry Pi edge device design, Hellbender is proud to be among the few building cameras and imaging systems with Raspberry Pi microcontrollers in the United States. At the event, we unveiled several key innovations, including our robotic autonomy kit. This kit demonstrated how we integrated Raspberry Pi microcontrollers, the CM4, and NVIDIA processors into a cohesive package capable of supporting complex robotics applications.

Additionally, we showcased stereo cameras utilizing the Hailo 8 TPU and CM4, delivering powerful object detection alongside stereo imaging outputs. These capabilities captured the attention of attendees, including resellers like Digi-Key, design partners, and major organizations such as Heathrow Airport. The conference solidified Hellbender’s reputation as a leader in cutting-edge camera systems and AI-enabled hardware.

A Year of Groundbreaking Innovations

The past year was pivotal for Hellbender, not only for the technologies we showcased but also for the connections we forged. One of the highlights was the introduction of the Hailo 8 and CM4 combination, which became the foundation for an AI-focused product kit featuring the Pi 5. The feedback and interest we received at these events drove momentum for our upcoming product launches, including the stereo camera and robotic navigation system kit.

In our eyes, these events underscored what we’ve long known: Hellbender is part of one of the robotics community’s best-kept secrets. By actively engaging with industry leaders, distributors, and design partners, we laid the groundwork for future collaborations and product innovations.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on the year’s achievements, Brian Beyer, CEO of Hellbender, shared, “Last year was a game-changer for us. At the Pi Developer/Partners Event, we had the chance to demonstrate how far we’ve pushed the boundaries of AI and hardware design with Raspberry Pi. The energy from both FIRA and Pi events was incredible, and it’s exciting to see how our innovations are reshaping robotics and imaging solutions. Plus, we couldn’t be more proud to be one of the only companies building cameras with Pi devices in the US.”

As we move forward, Hellbender remains committed to advancing innovation in AI vision and edge computing hardware. Our ongoing collaborations and new partnerships will continue to position us as a leader in this rapidly evolving industry.
For more information about Hellbender’s projects and collaborations, visit hellbender.com.

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