Banana Pi BPI-AI-Voice is a $169 Speech Recognition Development Kit based on MicroSemi ZL38063

SinoVoIP has just launched BPI-AI-Voice development platform for speech recognition on Aliexpress for $169, and excluding the different PCB color, it is a clone of the official $299 Microsemi AcuEdge Development Kit for Amazon AVS, which is based on MicroSemi ZL38063 audio processor and comes with two microphones.

BPI-AI-Voice key features:

• Audio Processor – MicroSemi ZL38063
• Storage – U2 SPI flash to store ZL38063 firmware
• Audio
  • 4x on-board digital microphones (AKU441) supporting a 2 microphone configuration for 180° and 360° audio pick-up.
  • 2x low cost class D audio amplifier (NCP2820)
• Expansion Headers
  • JMMA1 audio header for digital microphone, analog out, and 3 GPIOs
  • JM1-4 digital microphone headers for off-board microphones
  • 40-pin P2 header to connected to Raspberry Pi 3  (I2S, SPI and 8x GPIO used)
• Debugging – JAIB2/2 auto tuning headers, micro USB port.
• Power Supply – 5V via micro USB port
• Dimensions – 70 mm × 66 mm
• Temperature Range – −40° C to 85° C

The original kit comes with a pillar made of plastics, assembly hardware, and documentation, but the BPI-AI-Voice is sold standalone. Both boards can connect to a Raspberry Pi 3 boards with power supply and micro SD card, as well as a JBL Clip speaker to have a fully working Smart Speaker kit.

SinoVoIP directs us to the Microsemi’s documentation on Github for the kit. The board has been tested and approved by Amazon for microphone solution for both 180° & 360° audio pick-up, and the reference code complete Echo functionality, and developer access to Alexa Skills. The kit also gives access to Microsemi’s Automatic Speech Recognition Assist audio enhancement solution with Amazon’s AVS.

One reason the company may have been allowed/asked to design a clone of the board is that Microsemi has been working an updated version – ZLK38AVS2 pictured on the right above – with ZLE38AVS rev. 4.01 round-shaped board which adds an I2C LED Controller with 12 RGB LEDs,  a ZL38090 USB to I2S bridge, and four-position DIP Switch for configuration options.

 

 

Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress