In this issue of Make: we make friends -- literally! Build your own companion robot with a Raspberry Pi 5, and then give it a voice using AI and a large language model running locally. No internet required! Or keep it simple and build a friendly bot with a micro: bit and a few servos.

Next, get an overview of the latest new dev boards, including offerings from Adafruit, Seeed, Sparkfun, Pimoroni, and more, that use Raspberry Pi's second-gen, double dual-core RP2350 chip. And, get started with new Arduino libraries and example projects for cheap ESP32+LCD boards.

Special Bonus -- Make: Guide to Boards 2025

You know Raspberry Pi and Arduino, but the waters run deep for microcontrollers and single board computers. From wearables, to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, to AI capabilities, we show you 77 new boards that have exactly what you're looking for to power your next project.

Plus, 38+ projects:

• Embed tiny mirrors and mesh into your 3D prints to create sparkling fabrics
• Build an autotune kazoo
• Make a battery using your favorite sports drink
• Laser cut a creative ski chalet birdhouse for your feathered friends
• Use an Arduino for professional looking DMX lighting
• Make a walk-in camera obscura to project the outside world inside (and upside down)
• Expose spy tech with the budget K18 Bug Detector
• And much more!