Turn Your Pi Zero Into a HAL 9000

The mask is officially off. We’re not even trying to pretend it’s not true anymore — AI is out to get us! The same computers that used to be our servants are now turning against us! As such, there’s no point in trying to hide these machines behind unassuming cases anymore. The case recently created by Thingiverse user leocherry1 is much more appropriate.

This 3D-printed case is designed to fit a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W single-board computer, and it looks just like a miniature version of HAL 9000 from the Space Odyssey series. Well, aside from the fact that it is actually labeled HAL 900. Maybe a zero was dropped due to the tiny size of the Pi, or it could be that leocherry1 was concerned about getting nasty letters from lawyers. Either way, this is one of the coolest Pi Zero cases I have ever seen.

To make the case, leocherry1 used a Bambu Lab A1 multi-color 3D printer. The 3D models are available for download under a permissive open-source license. There is an LED inside HAL’s “eye” to replicate the effect seen in the movies, and it is driven by the Pi’s GPIO pins. You’ll also need to track down a lens to cover the LED — leocherry1 scavenged one from an old flashlight.

More details, and the design files, are available at Thingiverse. Check it out if you’d like your own HAL 9000 (or 900) case.