Pilet: Raspberry Pi 5-Powered Open-Source Mini-Computer with PCIe, NVMe, and Modular Features

Pilet, powered by the latest Raspberry Pi 5, delivers a significant performance boost along with advanced features like PCIe and NVMe support. This retro-futuristic, open-source mini-computer offers a 7-hour battery life and fully modifiable hardware and software, making it ideal for tinkerers, creatives, learners, and coders who value simplicity and flexibility.

Pilet is available in two variants: Pilet 5 and Pilet 7. Both models share the same internal components but cater to different user needs. The Pilet 5 features a 5-inch touchscreen, an integrated keyboard, a trackball, a scroll wheel, a navigational switch (D-Pad), and game buttons. Meanwhile, the Pilet 7 comes with a larger 7-inch display and supports detachable modules, such as a keyboard, gamepad, or deck, for enhanced versatility.

Pilet specifications:

• Single Board Computer (SBC): Raspberry Pi 5 (supports all variants)
• Storage:
  • MicroSD card
  • NVMe SSD (via module)
• Display:
  • Pilet 5: 5-inch IPS MIPI DSI display (1280×800 resolution, capacitive touchscreen)
  • Pilet 7: 7-inch IPS MIPI DSI display (1280×800 resolution, capacitive touchscreen)
• Video Output: 2x micro HDMI ports
• Audio:
  • Dual stereo speakers
  • Built-in microphone
  • 3.5mm audio jack
  • Bluetooth audio support
• Networking:
  • Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45)
  • IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Optional LTE cellular (via module)
• USB Ports:
  • 2x USB 3.0
  • 2x USB 2.0
• User Controls:
  • Pilet 5: Touchscreen, keyboard, trackball, scroll wheel, D-Pad, and game buttons (A, B, X, Y)
  • Pilet 7: Touchscreen, a few buttons, and optional detachable modules (keyboard, gamepad)
• Expansion: 40-pin programmable GPIO header (from Raspberry Pi 5)
• Power Supply:
  • 5V via USB-C port
  • Supports 3.7V Lithium Polymer and Lithium-Ion batteries
  • Optional battery: 2x 8,000mAh LiPo rechargeable battery (Texas Instruments TPS61088)
• Dimensions: 175mm x 125mm x 28mm

Pilet is compatible with a variety of Linux distributions and works seamlessly with Raspberry Pi OS. The Pilet 7 comes preloaded with KDE Plasma as the default desktop environment. Additionally, Soulscircuit is developing Pilet OS, a custom-optimized operating system designed specifically for the Pilet.

Soulscircuit plans to make both Pilet’s hardware and software fully open-source upon release. The hardware will be licensed under CERN-OHL-S, while the software will be released under the GPL license. Following the product’s launch, all design files—including KiCad schematics, PCB layouts, 3D models, firmware (e.g., QMK firmware for the keyboard), and detailed documentation—will be published on GitHub. Soulscircuit has also committed to releasing the CAD and STEP files for all components, enabling full transparency and modifiability.

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