How to Build a Raspberry Pi Smart Mirror

Smart mirrors are fantastic projects that merge the elegance of a reflective surface with the practical utility of a display screen. In this tutorial, we’ll transform a simple mirror into a smart display using a Raspberry Pi. This project is excellent for makers and hobbyists looking to combine hardware and software for a unique home installation.

Materials Needed

  • Raspberry Pi (Model 3B+ or later recommended)
  • Mirror (preferably a two-way mirror)
  • Monitor (size dependent on your mirror)
  • MicroSD card (16GB or larger)
  • HDMI cable
  • Power supply for Raspberry Pi
  • Frame for the mirror
  • Adhesive material to fix the monitor behind the mirror

Step 1: Set Up the Raspberry Pi

Install Raspbian OS

First, you’ll need to install the Raspbian operating system on your Raspberry Pi. You’ll require an imaging tool like “Raspberry Pi Imager” to flash your OS onto the MicroSD card.

# Download Raspberry Pi Imager from the official site
# Once downloaded, launch it and select Raspbian OS

# Insert your MicroSD card and select it
# Click "WRITE" and wait for the installation process to complete

After installing, plug in your MicroSD card into the Raspberry Pi, connect the HDMI cable to the monitor, and boot up your Raspberry Pi.

Update the System

Ensure your system’s packages are up-to-date.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install MagicMirror² Software

MagicMirror² is the best open-source platform for a smart mirror. To install, clone the MagicMirror² repository and install the necessary packages.

# Navigate to your home directory
cd ~

# Clone the MagicMirror² repository
git clone https://github.com/MichMich/MagicMirror

# Navigate to the MagicMirror directory
cd MagicMirror

# Install with NPM
npm install

Once installed, you can start MagicMirror simply by:

npm start

For automatic startups, MagicMirror can be run as a background service.

Step 3: Customize Your Smart Mirror

Configuring the Display

MagicMirror’s display is controlled by a config.js file located in the MagicMirror/config directory.

Here’s a simple example configuration:

const config = {
  address: "localhost",
  port: 8080,
  ipWhitelist: [],
  language: "en",
  modules: [
    {
      module: "clock",
      position: "top_left"
    },
    {
      module: "calendar",
      position: "top_right",
      config: {
        calendars: [
          {
            symbol: 'calendar-check',
            url: 'http://www.calendarlabs.com/templates/ical/US-Holidays.ics'
          }
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      module: "weather",
      position: "bottom_right",
      config: {
        weatherProvider: "openweathermap",
        type: "current",
        location: "New York",
        apiKey: "YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    },
  ]
};

/* Export the config */
if (typeof module !== "undefined") {module.exports = config;}

Add Modules and Features

MagicMirror is highly extensible and supports various modules like news feeds, to-do lists, and traffic updates. Explore available MagicMirror modules to add more functionality.

Step 4: Assemble the Smart Mirror

  1. Mount the monitor: Attach the monitor to the back of the mirror using a suitable adhesive or fixture.
  2. Connect the Raspberry Pi: Ensure that all connections (HDMI, power, etc.) are secure.
  3. Encase in a frame: Finish your smart mirror by placing the assembly inside a sleek frame.

Final Thoughts

Building a Raspberry Pi smart mirror is an exciting and rewarding project. By blending technology with creativity, you not only gain a stylish home gadget but also hone your skills in Raspberry Pi and software configuration. Remember, customization is key – make your smart mirror tailored to your preferences and showcase your ingenuity.