AIY Projects update: new maker projects, new partners, new kits

In August 2017, Google announced updates to its AIY Projects, which aim to empower makers of all ages with accessible AI technology. The initiative focuses on creating open and affordable AI kits that simplify human-to-machine interaction, such as the Voice Kit developed in collaboration with Raspberry Pi, which quickly sold out upon release. The AIY team introduced the Speech Commands Dataset, allowing for simple voice interfaces without internet dependency, and is integrating it into the next Voice Kit release. Makers have utilized the kits for various innovative projects, including a retro intercom and a Dalek-voiced assistant. The AIY Projects plan to expand globally and introduce kits with capabilities in vision and motion detection, providing makers with more comprehensive tools for creating intuitive device interfaces. The team invites community input for future developments, encouraging engagement through hackster.io and social media.