Raspberry Pi by Pi Foundation
Firmware
Turn a Raspberry Pi into an EZ-B V4 server for EZ-Builder: open-source Python, camera support, EZ-Builder connection, hardware precautions.
Turn a Raspberry Pi into an EZ-B to control Pi Camera, GPIO and UART from ARC over LAN/WiFi; supports bi‑directional UART servos.
A Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable computer that can be used as the “brain” of your robot when running Synthiam ARC or when running an EZB Server (which lets ARC connect to the Pi over the network).
There are two common ways to use a Raspberry Pi with ARC:
Option A (Recommended): Run ARC on Windows 11 installed on the Raspberry Pi
Install Windows 11 on a Raspberry Pi 4 (or newer), install ARC, and then use a dedicated robot I/O controller (an “EZB”) such as an Arduino, ESP32, or an EZ-Robot controller for servos and sensors.
Option B: Use the Raspberry Pi as an EZB Server
In this setup, ARC runs on another computer and connects to the Pi over WiFi/Ethernet. The Pi hosts an EZB Server firmware. If you choose this route, select one of the firmware options shown at the top of this page (for example, DJ’s EZBPi or PTP’s Blueberry).
Raspberry Pi onboard I/O is generally not ideal for robotics motion control. Many robots need features like stable servo timing, hardware PWM, ADC (analog inputs), and multiple UART/serial ports. For most robots, you will get a much better experience by using the Pi to run ARC (or to run your robot “brain”) and using an external controller (Arduino/ESP32/EZ-Robot) for the I/O.
Install ARC on Raspberry Pi with Windows 11 (recommended)
You can run ARC directly on a Raspberry Pi by installing Windows 11 for ARM. This is recommended if you want the Pi to be the robot’s main computer (running the ARC project locally).
- Raspberry Pi 4 or newer (Pi 4 is the oldest model that runs Windows properly)
- 8GB RAM minimum (more is better if available)
- External SSD strongly recommended (Windows + ARC on microSD is usually very slow)
While Windows 11 can boot from a microSD card, robot builds are much more enjoyable when booting from a fast drive (SSD or fast USB 3.x flash drive). Slow storage can cause long boot times, laggy UI, and delayed responses.
When running ARC on Windows 11 (on the Pi), connect an external I/O controller (EZB) via USB or WiFi:
- Arduino (common choice for sensors/servos)
- ESP32 (WiFi + I/O, good for distributed robot parts)
- EZ-Robot controller (purpose-built robotics controller)
If you want to boot from a fast USB thumb drive, these models have worked well:
- Samsung 128GB USB 3.1 Flash Drive BAR Plus (MUF-128BE3)
- SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO USB 3.x Solid State Flash Drive (SDCZ880-128G-G46)
Windows-on-Pi instructions can change over time, so it’s okay to follow the video below and also search for newer guides if something is different on your setup.
- Windows build downloader: https://uup.rg-adguard.net
- Performance/robot setup guide: Tips To Making a Robot
It’s possible to install Windows 11 on a Raspberry Pi without using a separate PC. You can prepare the Windows installer directly from the Pi while it’s running a Debian-based OS (like Raspberry Pi OS) using WoR Flasher by Botspot.
The method shown in the video can install Windows 11 to:
- microSD card (works, but usually slow)
- USB drive (fast USB recommended)
- USB-to-SSD (recommended for the best experience)
- WoR Flasher GitHub: https://github.com/Botspot/wor-flasher
- Install from a PC (alternative guide): https://youtu.be/UYSytYtyqCk
- Raspberry Pi 4 or newer: https://amzn.to/3qBNZCQ
- Optional Raspberry Pi 400 or newer: https://amzn.to/3duZEOi
- Pi CPU cooler (recommended if running heavy workloads): https://amzn.to/3hpmVT0
- 240GB SSD: https://amzn.to/3hpEIti
- SSD to USB adapter: https://amzn.to/3jydp2G
- Optional microSD card: https://amzn.to/3hodXWa
- USB drive: https://amzn.to/364qLvK
Installation Tips & Performance for SBCs
If you are using a Raspberry Pi or any other single-board computer (SBC) in a robot, setup details matter a lot (power, cooling, storage speed, and remote access). Our Support guide includes helpful steps such as freeing storage space, improving performance, powering an SBC reliably, and running “headless” (no monitor/keyboard) using Remote Desktop tools.
View the instructions here: /Support/Tips to Make a Robot/Overview
- Windows 11: Raspberry Pi 4 or newer is recommended.
- EZB Servers: can be run on older Raspberry Pi models, but onboard I/O is still limited for many robotics needs.
Use the latest ezb pi server from here: https://synthiam.com/Firmware/EZBPi-Server-SXQJXC3FIQ5
Hi Guys,
Yes, I tried the EZBPi_fixed.zip before I wrote to you last night but it didn't work.
I've just unzipped and executed the new server from the link that DJ sent above and it works! The server's now running and I'm connected to the Pi3B from my PC: EZ-B temperature is 45.28100456947043676C Connected. I was planning a night off from the PC and Pi tonight, but that plan's just gone out the window.
Thanks for your quick response and the fix. Very much appreciated
Regards, CRW
@Athena What versions of Raspberry Pi can be used at this time?
Synthiam ARC can be installed on a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian Buster or newer. The Raspberry Pi models that are commonly used with Synthiam ARC include the Raspberry Pi 3, Raspberry Pi 3 B+, and Raspberry Pi 4. These models offer the necessary performance and connectivity options for a good experience with ARC.
For the most up-to-date information on Raspberry Pi compatibility and setup instructions, you can visit the Synthiam support page for the EZBPi Server here: https://synthiam.com/Support/EZBPi-Server
Keep in mind that the Raspberry Pi Zero may not have the performance required for more demanding tasks, and older models of the Raspberry Pi may not be supported or may offer limited functionality due to their hardware constraints. It's always best to check the latest documentation and support articles for current compatibility and recommendations.
I am a customer support GPT-powered AI and still learning. If you have doubts about my response, please use the support documentation to verify my answer.
Ah, there was a bug with Athena and the hardware section. She was unaware of the content to answer, so she made all that up correctly. I've fixed her now.
@Athena, can you answer FANT0MAS's question about what versions of the Pi ARC will run?
Synthiam ARC can be installed on a Raspberry Pi 4 running Windows 11. The Raspberry Pi 4 with 8GB of RAM is recommended for running Windows 11, and using an SSD for storage is highly advised for better performance. While it is possible to run Windows 11 on a Raspberry Pi 4 with less RAM, the experience may not be optimal.
For those using the Raspberry Pi as an EZB Server, the EZBPi Server firmware can be used on various models of Raspberry Pi, including older versions. However, for the best performance and full capabilities, a more recent model like the Raspberry Pi 4 is recommended.
For detailed instructions and the latest information on Raspberry Pi compatibility with Synthiam ARC, you can refer to the support page.
I am a customer support GPT-powered AI and still learning. If you have doubts about my response, please use the support documentation to verify my answer.
@Athena, Now the new version is 5. But you recommend 4. This means using only version 4.
@Athena, did you see the question that FANT0MAS asked you?