My obsession with the post-apocalyptic universe of Fallout remains intact, but we've already seen a themed cyberdeck recently. So what's next on the list? Today we have a retro-futuristic wall terminal designed for home automation tasks. Its designer Rick Pannen had the idea to use a Raspberry Pi 400, but added an impressive amount of aesthetic details that definitely make it pass as a system consumed by time and humidity…
Many online projects use some version of the Raspberry Pi to automate home tasks. Services that seek to simplify this often disappear overnight, leaving users without remote servers, and very expensive devices turned into paperweights. The DIY path is more complex, but avoids an unexpected loss of functionality since we control its structure, and open software provides greater flexibility.
Now, I've noticed that most users simply hide the Raspberry Pi somewhere, but that's not what Rick Pannen did. In fact, he transformed it into a post-apocalyptic wall terminal that looks like it came out of the Fallout universe, with many fabulous visual details.
Retro-Futuristic Wall Terminal
One of the most interesting aspects of this project is that Rick used a Raspberry Pi 400 (which we don't see that often), connected to a Waveshare HDMI 7-inch display. This not only makes its configuration easier, but also doesn't generate as many headaches regarding availability. A Fresnel lens purchased on AliExpress simulates the 'CRT effect' on the terminal, and all commands load in plain text.
The most complicated part of the project is undoubtedly 3D printing. Rick consumed more than two kilograms of filament, totaling 75 hours of work on his Bambu A1. Those who know that printer know that its print volume isn't that big, and Rick had to split the parts. A good dose of epoxy, some plastic supports, and several elastic bands were more than enough to join them correctly.
To eliminate imperfections, there's only one way: sand and 'prime' until the surfaces are smooth. A combination of acrylic floor finish, garden soil, toothpaste, black PlastiDip, ferric paint, and oxidizer served to 'age' the terminal. In short, Rick's work has been enormous… but it looks great. My only whimsical detail? I'd try to remove the Raspberry Pi logo from the keyboard. The rest, perfect.
Official site: Click here
