All it needs is an SD card, a few lines of code, and an imagination to take it in different directions. Here are 12 inventions inspired by RPi that show you the possibilities. Note the persistent play on variations of the word “pie,” which is really rather playful if you think about it.

Out of the Minds of Babes

The RPi was originally conceived to give children a way to interact with computers beyond playing mindless games and trolling on social networks. Here are some of the things they came up with in no particular order.

1. Pi ‘n’ Mighty

Designed to teach young children about recycling, the robot identifies items by barcode as recyclable or non-recyclable, and indicates in which bin each item belongs.

2. PlantPi

Monitors temperature, soil moisture, humidity, rain, and light intensity in a garden and sends the data via Internet to the owner, who can then press a button to water plants that need it.

3. Door Answering System

Enables disabled or elderly people to deal with solicitors and visitors without going to the door via a wireless keypad they can bring around the house. Useful for folks who take frequent showers too.

4. Automated Pill Dispenser

The dispenser is controlled by the RPi which is connected to a website where physicians can set the medication schedule for their patients. If the patient still forgets, the RPi will send an alert to a family member to start nagging.

Teen Power

Teenagers are almost adults, and their projects reflect that. Here are some devices that the would-be delinquents have come up with using RPi in between fits of adolescent awkwardness.

5. PiPark

It updates a website about the available parking spaces in areas covered by cameras attached to RPis. This way drivers know where they can park, and it helps reduce tail pipe exhaust caused by cars patrolling the streets at a snail’s pace.

6. AirPi

Quite an impressive device in regards to function, if not in looks. AirPi monitors air quality and the weather using sensors, and uploads the data to a website for public viewing.

Moms and Pops

Creativity isn’t limited to the youthful. Here are offerings from the older generation.

7. Electricity Monitor

Measures the energy consumption of home appliances and identifies who’s hogging the usage. Convenient for the homeowner looking to assign blame.

8. FishPi

FishPi is a fully autonomous drone boat. It’s powered by a solar panel, and programmed to cross the Atlantic to collect scientific data.

9. Pi in the Sky

Instead of the water, this GPS-camera-equipped rig takes to the air, nearly to outer space, all in order to take fantastic images.

10. Audio Book Reader

It’s hard to be old and blind, so this RPi-powered audio book makes it simple by just having one button to play, pause, or skip to the next track.

Artsy but not Fartsy

Just because RPi is an educational tool, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it. Here are some of the quirkier Raspberry-flavoured concoctions.

11. Beetbox

Touch sensors attached to beets transform the red root into a percussion instrument.

12. DeviantArt Picture Frame

Improves on digital picture technology by hooking frames up with RPi to put artwork from the DeviantArt website on display.

What are your favourite RPi innovations? Add to the list in the comments.