BeagleBone AI-64 Setup Guide

The BeagleBone AI-64 from BeagleBoard.org is an open-source single-board computer with a Debian GNU/Linux operating system based on the Texas Instruments TDA4VM processor. Follow this guide to set up your BeagleBone AI-64 and prepare it for viam-server installation.

The front of a BeagleBone AI-64 single-board computer at a 45° angle.

Hardware requirements

You need the following hardware, tools, and software to install viam-server on a BeagleBone AI-64:

  1. A BeagleBone AI-64
  2. A 5V barrel jack (recommended) and/or USB-C power supply, to power the BeagleBone
  3. Ethernet cable and/or WiFi dongle, to establish network connection on the BeagleBone
  4. (Optional) A microSD card and a way to connect the microSD card to the computer (like a microSD slot or microSD reader)
    • This is required if you need to set up your BeagleBone for the first time or update your BeagleBone to the latest software image.

The following instructions mirror the instructions given in the BeagleBoard Quick Start Guide.

If you want additional help setting up your BeagleBone, you can follow the guides there and return to the Viam docs after SSH’ing into your BeagleBone.

Power your BeagleBone

Power your board by plugging a 5VDC power source into the BeagleBone’s barrel jack. You can also power the BeagleBone with a USB-C cable, but a 5VDC power source is recommended for more reliable performance.

If the board has power, the LED on the board labeled PWR or ON is lit steadily.

Enable a network connection

You need to enable a network connection on your BeagleBone to install viam-server on it. You can do this in multiple ways:

  • Connect an ethernet cable to your BeagleBone’s ethernet port.
  • If you are working on a macOS machine, use internet sharing over USB to share your connection. After enabling the option on your machine, SSH into your BeagleBone and run sudo dhclient usb1.
  • If you are working on a Linux machine, read these tips on enabling a network connection.
  • If your personal computer supports mDNS (Multicast DNS), you can check to see if your BeagleBone board has established a network connection by visiting beaglebone.local.

SSH into your BeagleBone from your PC

You can SSH into your BeagleBone by running the following command in your terminal:

ssh <your-username>@<your-hostname>.local

By default, the hostname, username and password on a BeagleBone are:

  • Hostname: beaglebone
  • Username: debian
  • Password: temppwd

Therefore, if you are using the default settings on your BeagleBone, the command is:

ssh debian@beaglebone.local

Update your BeagleBone

After SSH’ing into your BeagleBone, verify all packages are up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt dist-upgrade && sudo reboot

Install viam-server

viam-server is the open-source software that drives your hardware and connects your device to the cloud. Install viam-server on the computer or single-board computer (SBC) that is directly connected to your hardware (for example sensors, cameras, or motors):

  1. Make sure your computer or SBC is powered on and connected to the internet.

  2. Create a Viam account on app.viam.com. You can configure and manage devices and data collection in the web UI.

  3. Create a new machine using the Add machine button in the top right corner of the LOCATIONS tab in the app. A machine represents your device.

  4. On your machine’s page, click View setup instructions.

  5. Select the appropriate architecture for your machine: Linux / Aarch64, Linux / x86_64, or Linux / Armv7l.

    On most Linux operating systems, you can run uname -m to confirm your computer’s architecture.

    If you selected Linux / Aarch 64 or Linux / x86 also select your installation method:

    • viam-agent (recommended): installs viam-agent, which will automatically install (and update) viam-server and provide additional functionality such as provisioning and operating system update configuration.
    • manual: installs only viam-server on your machine.

  6. Follow the instructions on the page to install viam-server and connect it to the cloud with your machine’s unique credentials.

  7. After you install viam-server, a secure connection is automatically established between your machine and Viam. When you update your machine’s configuration, viam-server automatically gets the updates.

    You are ready to configure supported hardware on your machine.

Try an example

Once you’ve installed viam-server and your machine has come online, if your machine has a webcam, you can try an example project:

  1. Click the + icon next to your machine part in the left-hand menu and select Insert Fragment.

    Add the DeskSafariGame fragment by the Robot Land organization and click Insert Fragment. This adds a number of resources to your machine:

    • a camera component which connects to the webcam
    • machine learning resources to run a model and apply it to the camera stream
    • control logic that implements a game

  2. Save your config and review the available resources on the CONFIGURE tab.

  3. Log into this Viam application with your Viam credentials and select your machine. The application provides a UI for playing the game

  4. Select a camera and press the Start Game button. The goal of the game is to find and show specific objects to the camera.

If you’d like to learn how to create this game, see the Desk Safari tutorial.

Should the game not work, return to your machine in the Viam web UI and check the LOGS tab for errors.

Next steps

Configure a Machine
Use registry modules

Use modules from the registry to on your machine.

Tutorial: Desk Safari

Follow this tutorial to learn about Viam while building a game.

Tutorials

Build a machine yourself by following along with a tutorial.

Troubleshooting

If you experience any issues getting Viam working on your BeagleBone, consult the BeagleBone documentation for help updating your BeagleBone.

You can also ask questions in the Community Discord and we will be happy to help.

You can find additional assistance in the Troubleshooting section.