A build showcased on Microsoft’s YouTube show, “Let’s Get Personal: Computing”, has directly addressed the question: is ChatGPT really Clippy in disguise? The answer is a resounding “yes.”
Maker and robotics expert David Packman describes his 3D printed Clippy as “ChatGPT in a box.” It was designed in CAD, then 3D printed on several of Packman’s Prusa 3D printers. Under the casing (also 3D printed) are a Raspberry Pi and Adafruit Crikit Hat, which ups the Raspberry Pi’s functionality and allows it, for instance, to control the servo motor that moves Clippy’s eyebrows up and down.
To function, the Python-coded device uses Azure Speech Services and a USB microphone to record speech to text, sends that text to ChatGPT, then converts ChatGPT’s text back to speech, which is output through a small speaker. There’s also a small LCD “speech bubble” screen, on which text is displayed. On the frontend, users simply ask Clippy a question and wait to hear – or read – the answer.
Those interested in creating a Clippy of their own can find instructions, a parts list, code, and schematics on Hackster.io, with STLs up for grabs on Printables. Overall, it’s a rather tricky build that contains too many parts to list here. Not that you’ll need an engineering degree, but by no means is this something meant for a beginner. Best of luck and give Clippy our regards.
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License: The text of "Clippy’s Back – 3D Printed and Powered by ChatGPT" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.