Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to test and explore the CrowPi 3, the latest iteration of Elecrow’s educational laptop-style workstation built around the Raspberry Pi 5. What I’ve been using is a late-stage prototype unit, and while the hardware looks and feels production-ready, the software is still evolving — growing out of the successful CrowPi 2 platform. This is exciting, because it means more lessons and tools are on the way, and the platform is already packed with possibilities.
At the time I’m publishing this post and video, Elecrow is preparing to launch the CrowPi3 campaign on Kickstarter. You can follow their progress here.
Watch the video on Youtube, and read my review here!
Timestamps
Click on any of the links below to jump to the relevant part of the video. The links will take you to YouTube to continue watching.
- 00:00 – Introduction to Crowel Pi 3
- 00:07 – Overview of the Education Kit
- 00:22 – Hardware Features
- 01:06 – Integrated Components & Sensors
- 02:33 – Prototyping with GPIO Pins
- 03:04 – Power & Portability
- 03:27 – Software Overview & Learning Environment
- 04:28 – Hands-On Demonstration of the Crowel Pi 3
- 05:05 – User Interface Tour
- 06:01 – Experiments with Python & Microcontrollers
- 13:22 – AI Integration and Camera Features
- 28:12 – Closing Remarks & Potential Future Developments
- 29:40 – Subscribe Call to Action
What is the CrowPi 3?
At its core, the CrowPi 3 is a portable, self-contained learning environment. It includes a Raspberry Pi 5 at its heart, surrounded by a thoughtfully designed enclosure that integrates a 4.3-inch touchscreen, camera, microphone, GPIO header, battery compartment, and over 30 built-in sensors and actuators. It’s designed to be used by students and educators in a wide range of STEM learning scenarios — from absolute beginners experimenting with Scratch, to advanced users exploring topics like AI, robotics, and machine learning.
This makes the CrowPi 3 uniquely positioned as a scalable educational tool that grows with the learner.
Hardware Features at a Glance
The case is compact, durable, and comes with a magnetic lid that covers the onboard sensor panel when not in use. When flipped open, it reveals an array of built-in input and output components:
- Input sensors like a joystick, ultrasonic sensor, flame detector, gyroscope, temperature and humidity sensors, and more
- Output devices like a buzzer, vibration motor, RGB matrix, and running water LEDs
- Additional elements such as a small EEPROM chip for memory experiments, a relay terminal block, a noisy but effective cooling fan, and two mini breadboards for prototyping
The GPIO header is accessible and cleverly designed to be shared among the Raspberry Pi 5 and other supported microcontrollers, like the Arduino Nano, BBC micro:bit, and Raspberry Pi Pico. A switch allows you to select which one controls the pins — a thoughtful solution to prevent conflicts.
There’s even a storage compartment and a battery bay that fits two 18650 cells, making this kit truly portable.
Software and the CrowPi App
The CrowPi 3 runs a custom version of the Raspberry Pi OS with a dedicated launcher app that splits functionality into two sections:
- Learning, which includes interactive lessons and step-by-step projects
- Software, where students can access tools such as Thonny for Python, Scratch, Arduino IDE, micro:bit support, AI examples, Minecraft, and a few games
Even in its prototype state, the interface feels accessible and inviting. It’s built to guide learners from the basics to more complex projects without getting lost in setup or configuration.
Working with the CrowView Note
For my testing, I paired the CrowPi 3 with the CrowView Note (read my review), a thin, portable USB-C touchscreen that acts as both display and keyboard. This combination makes for a clean, mobile setup. That said, you don’t need the Crowview — the CrowPi 3 supports any HDMI display, and works well with the wireless keyboard and mouse from the CrowPi 2 (or any other USB keyboard and mouse).
I often used the onboard touchscreen as a secondary interface, useful for monitoring sensor outputs, navigating the launcher, or interacting with GUI-based apps. It’s perfect for compact applications or when you need a small dedicated output screen.
Demonstrating the CrowPi 3 in Action
During my testing, I explored a variety of built-in functions — controlling an LED, displaying messages on the LCD, and reading input from the joystick and touch sensors. I also tested how well the micro:bit integrates with the platform and found the experience smooth and intuitive.
What stands out is how much can be done without any external wiring — a significant plus for teachers managing time and student attention in class.
Why CrowPi 3 Matters
In my view, the CrowPi 3 isn’t just another electronics kit — it’s a complete STEM educational platform. Whether you’re introducing students to the logic of code, helping them build their first game in Scratch, or guiding them into AI projects with OpenCV and LLMs, this platform has the flexibility to support it.
The inclusion of structured lessons, pre-integrated hardware, and support for multiple programming environments makes it particularly suited for:
- STEM classrooms
- Maker clubs
- Home labs
- Remote learning environments
As Elecrow continues to expand the software — with more lessons, tools, and system refinements — I expect the CrowPi 3 will remain a cutting-edge tool for STEM education for years to come.
If you have any questions about the CrowPi 3, or would like to share your own experience using it, I’d love to hear from you. Please use the discussion tool below to leave a comment or ask a question—I’m here to help and always keen to continue the conversation.