2 layers50 × 35 mm
2 layers59.9 × 59.9 mm
Hal9000
dwcares/hal9000HAL 9000 voice assistant using Particle + OpenAI
- Size
- 59.9 × 59.9 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 17
- Nets
- 28
- Pads
- 53
- Tracks, vias
- 47, 0
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 18 Mar 2026
- Updated
- 1 Apr 2026
Overview
Hal9000 is an open-source printed circuit board by dwcares, from the dwcares/hal9000 repository on GitHub, published under the MIT licence. It is a 2-layer board of 59.9 × 59.9 mm with 17 parts on 28 nets, routed with 47 tracks and 0 vias.
Its parts include 2 capacitors and 2 resistors.
README
hardware/README.mdHAL9000 Hardware
Custom carrier PCB for the HAL9000 voice assistant, designed in KiCad. This board is sized to mount inside the Moebius Models 1:1 scale HAL9000 kit.
Overview
This PCB provides a clean way to connect a Particle Photon to all the peripherals needed for the voice assistant:
- Microphone input with filtering
- Amplifier output for speaker
- Push-to-talk button
- Status LED
- Battery power with switch
Files
| File | Description |
|---|---|
hal9000.kicad_pro | KiCad project file |
hal9000.kicad_sch | Schematic |
hal9000.kicad_pcb | PCB layout |
hal9000_bom.csv | Bill of materials |
manufacturing/ | Gerber files for fabrication |
Bill of Materials
| Reference | Qty | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| U1 | 1 | Particle Photon | Main MCU |
| J_PHOTON_L1, J_PHOTON_R1 | 2 | 12-pin Female Header 2.54mm | Photon sockets |
| J_BATT1 | 1 | 2-pin Header | Battery input (VBAT+, GND) |
| J_SW1 | 1 | 2-pin Header | Power switch |
| J_BUCK1 | 1 | 3-pin Header | Buck converter (VBAT+, GND, +5V) |
| J_MIC1 | 1 | 3-pin Header | Mic module (+3V3, MIC, GND) |
| J_AMP1 | 1 | 3-pin Header | Amp module (+5V, AMP, GND) |
| J_LED1 | 1 | 2-pin Header | LED (GND, LED+) |
| SW1 | 1 | 6mm Tactile Button | Push-to-talk |
| R1 | 1 | 220Ω 0805 | LED current limiter |
| R2 | 1 | 1kΩ 0805 | Mic input filter |
| C1 | 1 | 10nF 0805 | Mic input filter |
| C2 | 1 | 470µF Electrolytic | 5V bulk capacitance |
External Modules
These modules connect via headers:
| Module | Description | Header |
|---|---|---|
| MAX9814 | Electret mic with AGC amplifier | J_MIC1 |
| PAM8302A | 2.5W Class-D mono amplifier | J_AMP1 |
| Buck/Boost Converter | 5V regulated output | J_BUCK1 |
Pin Mapping
| Signal | Photon Pin | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MIC | A6 | Microphone analog input |
| AMP | A3 (DAC) | Speaker DAC output |
| BUTTON | D4 | Push-to-talk input |
| LED | D0 | Status LED output |
Power
The board supports battery power with an external switch:
Battery ──► J_BATT1 ──► J_SW1 (switch) ──► Buck Converter ──► J_BUCK1 (+5V out)
│
Photon VIN
│
Onboard 3.3V reg- 5V rail: Powers Photon (via VIN), amplifier module
- 3.3V rail: Powers microphone module (from Photon regulator)
Manufacturing
The manufacturing/ folder contains Gerber files ready for PCB fabrication. Upload to your preferred PCB manufacturer (JLCPCB, PCBWay, OSH Park, etc.).
Assembly Tips
- Solder SMD components first (R1, R2, C1)
- Install female headers for Photon (J_PHOTON_L1, J_PHOTON_R1)
- Install remaining through-hole headers and button
- Add electrolytic capacitor C2 (observe polarity)
- Connect external modules via headers
- Insert Particle Photon
License
MIT License - see LICENSE
Parts
17| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | , , , | ||
| 4 | Conn_01x02 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | J_BATT1, J_BUTTON1, J_LED1, J_SW1 |
| 3 | Conn_01x03 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J_AMP1, J_BUCK1, J_MIC1 |
| 2 | Conn_01x12 | Connector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x12_P2.54mm_Vertical | J_PHOTON_L1, J_PHOTON_R1 |
| 1 | 10nF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C1 |
| 1 | 1k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R2 |
| 1 | 220 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R1 |
| 1 | 470uF | Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D6.3mm_P2.50mm | C2 |
Questions
How big is the Hal9000 PCB?
It measures 59.9 × 59.9 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Hal9000 use?
17 parts. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the Hal9000 KiCad files?
From the dwcares/hal9000 repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is hardware/hal9000.kicad_pcb and its schematic hardware/hal9000.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Hal9000 design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the MIT licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).
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