This article introduces the design of a desktop voice chat assistant based on AiPi-PalChatV2, covering the project overview, enclosure design, and functional demonstrations.

Project Overview

AiPi-PalChatV2 is a high-performance voice interaction development board that integrates Xiaozhi AI or Volcano Engine, specifically designed for intelligent voice applications.

Key features include:

  • Powered by the Ai-Thinker Ai-M61-32S module, offering high integration and high performance
  • Supports offline voice wake-up and voice interruption
  • Equipped with a 2W / 8Ω speaker and dual power supply modes (Type-C or battery)
  • Uses the Ai-Thinker IoT mini program for network provisioning, AI agent selection and configuration, enabling rapid deployment of voice-interactive hardware scenarios

For detailed information on the development board and network configuration, refer to: “AiPi-PalChatV2 (Xiaoanpai) Unboxing, Introduction, and Testing”

Leveraging the powerful AiPi-PalChatV2 development kit, a 3D-printed enclosure was designed to provide improved portability and stable installation.

  • Enclosure: 3D rendering, functional display, and physical prototype
  • Demonstration: server connection, dialogue interaction, and multiple operating states

Enclosure Design

The enclosure includes 3D renderings, functional displays, and physical product demonstrations. Based on the official PCB footprint files, the enclosure can be designed by importing them into JLCEDA.

For details, see: https://docs.ai-thinker.com/en/aipi-palchatv2/ 


Functional Design Highlights

The enclosure design includes:

  • Display pin cutouts for easy installation, aesthetics, and structural stability
  • Side openings for the PCB antenna to ensure reliable Wi-Fi signal reception and minimize interference
  • Side cutouts for the power switch to allow convenient on/off operation
  • Bottom openings for camera ribbon cable routing, enabling secondary development
  • Side openings for indicator LEDs to observe battery charging and discharging status
  • Side openings for the power port to support Type-C power input and charging
  • Side openings for the microphone to securely mount the MIC while ensuring sound pickup quality
  • Top openings for the speaker to facilitate clear audio output during dialogue and playback
  • Standoff design aligned with PCB and speaker mounting holes for accurate positioning and easy screw installation

Physical Prototype 

  • Manufactured using JLCPCB 3D printing, with randomly colored X resin 
  • Designed with separated top and bottom covers, assembled as shown below 
  • Uses the reserved mounting holes on the development board and M2 screws to secure the enclosure, mainboard, speaker, and microphone

Power-On Demonstration

Includes server connection, dialogue interaction, and multiple operating states, which can be further expanded based on specific application scenarios.

  • Server connection
  • Conversation state
  • Sleep state

Summary

This article presents the design of a desktop voice chat assistant based on Ai-Thinker AiPi-PalChatV2, covering the project overview, enclosure design, and functional demonstrations. Thanks to the powerful performance of the development board and the modular integration of the kit, this DIY design is compact, portable, and practical, providing a valuable reference for product development and rapid application of voice-interactive hardware solutions.