Hello, I have just build the SunFounder PiCar-X Kit last week following the provided instructions and Online videos.
I’m using a Raspberry Pi 5 8GB with the latest OS (Debian Bookworm). Everything installed fine, Servo Calibration works just fine and all looks good.
When I come to test the sound ‘sudo python3 3.tts_example.py’ it will print the ‘Beep, beep, beep’ but I hear no sound at all.
I have tried to install the i2samp.sh script more than multi[ple times by now and have no errors when going through the install. However on Reboot there is no beep sound and testing the tts example file also makes no sound. i2s interface in enabled.
I have also found the /robot-hat/tests/tone_test.py and run that and only get a whole bunch of errors that do not make to much sense to me. Also tried to play around with the alsa config to try and force the pi to use card2 as default which looks to me to be the Robot-Hat PCM registered hardware card but all that did not help.
Any suggestions on how i can further troubleshoot this? Not sure if the speaker is dead on the robot hat and no idea on how to further test this. Of cause the picar without sound it not gone be much fun.
the raspberry pi 5 with 8 gigs of ram is WAY overkill for this car. You under utilizing computing power, it works perfectly with the RPi 4b or 3b. My complaint with the car is its 5 MP camera, they make much more powerful cameras for the RPi, but you can’t use them.
Could you please provide the following information:
Which version of Picar-X are you currently using?
Clear photos of your Robot HAT, particularly showing the speaker module in detail?
Regarding your speaker functionality:
Our Bookworm system is fully compatible with Picar-X speakers
Could you confirm when you installed all the library codes?
Recommended solution:
a) Reinstall the Bookworm system
b) Follow our tutorial to reinstall all library codes
c) Run the 3.tts_example.py test
d) Use ‘alsamixer’ command to maximize speaker volume before testing
Camera compatibility notes:
Current configuration supports 5MP camera
For higher resolution, Raspberry Pi’s official V2 camera (8MP) is recommended
Note: V3+ cameras are compatible with PI5 but may not physically fit Picar-X’s mounting structure
Thank you for your comments. I know and agree with you that the Pi 5 8GB is overkill for this project But hey it’s what I had available at the moment.
Is it true that the Speaker would only work under a 32 Bit system? Of cause my current OS is a 64 Bit version and that would explain a lot. If this is the case then I do have a Pi 3 B+ around that I could re-purpose for this project and try out.
The Picar-X is V2.0 Purchased new just 2 weeks ago. I have installed all packages etc in the last week so most recent versions etc. Attached is a pic of the Speaker as well.
I don’t think going through the recommended solution is gone make any difference installing the OS again etc if it’s not confirmed if the speaker should work on a 64bit OS vs. a 32 Bit OS.
Much appreciate your responses and help on this. Thank you.
The speaker is also compatible with both 64-bit and 32-bit systems.
If you have a Raspberry Pi 3B+, you can swap it out and reinstall all the library code.
In particular, make sure to install i2samp.sh.
We recommend that you provide us with screenshots of the entire library installation process.
If you replace the Raspberry Pi 3B+ and install all the library code, but the speaker still does not work, we will send you a new robot hat.
Hi, Over the weekend I have changed to the Raspberry Pi 3 B+, installed the Bookworm OS with 64 bit version, Installed all the library code for the Robot-Hat, divlib, and Picar-X and all of these installed without any errors.
I then proceeded with the i2samp.sh install as you can see in the attached screenshots. Here also no errors seen. Still there is no sound coming from the robot had.
But hey it’s what I had available at the moment.
