Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 26 TOPS - Official Hailo-8 Neural Network Accelerator
Transform your Raspberry Pi 5 into a powerful edge AI platform with the Official Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 26 TOPS. Featuring the Hailo-8 neural network accelerator, this HAT+ delivers an impressive 26 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of AI inferencing performance. Run complex computer vision models, process multiple neural networks simultaneously, and build production-ready AI applications - all on-device without cloud dependency.
26 TOPS of Professional AI Power
The Hailo-8 accelerator enables real-time object detection, image segmentation, pose estimation, and more - all running simultaneously at high frame rates. Perfect for industrial automation, robotics, smart home, and computer vision applications.
Key Features
Powerful AI Performance
- 26 TOPS Performance - Hailo-8 neural network accelerator
- Multiple Concurrent Models - Run 3-5 models simultaneously
- Faster Inference - 2x more powerful than 13 TOPS variant
- Larger Networks - Handle complex neural network architectures
Official Raspberry Pi Product
- Certified Compatibility - Designed for Raspberry Pi 5
- HAT+ Specification - Conforms to official standard
- Guaranteed Production - Until at least January 2030
- Auto-Detection - Plug-and-play with Raspberry Pi OS
Seamless Integration
- PCIe Gen 3 Interface - High-speed direct connection
- Camera Stack Integration - Works with rpicam-apps automatically
- No Driver Installation - Auto-detected by OS
- Easy Setup - Includes 16mm stacking header and hardware
Broad Framework Support
- TensorFlow & TensorFlow Lite - Industry standard support
- PyTorch - Popular deep learning framework
- ONNX - Open neural network exchange
- Keras - High-level neural networks API
Technical Specifications
| AI Accelerator |
| Model |
Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 26 TOPS (SC1791) |
| Neural Network Accelerator |
Hailo-8 |
| AI Performance |
26 TOPS (INT8) |
| Chip Integration |
Directly soldered on PCB |
| Compatibility |
| Host Support |
Raspberry Pi 5 ONLY |
| Interface |
PCIe Gen 3 |
| HAT Specification |
Raspberry Pi HAT+ compliant |
| OS Support |
Raspberry Pi OS (latest version) |
| Frameworks |
| Supported Frameworks |
TensorFlow, TensorFlow Lite, PyTorch, ONNX, Keras |
| Camera Integration |
Fully integrated into rpicam-apps stack |
| Physical |
| Dimensions |
65.1 x 56.7 x 5.5 mm (L x W x H) |
| Operating Temperature |
0°C to 50°C (ambient) |
| Mounting Hardware |
16mm stacking header, spacers, screws included |
26 TOPS vs 13 TOPS - Which to Choose?
| Feature |
26 TOPS (This Product) |
13 TOPS |
| Accelerator Chip |
Hailo-8 |
Hailo-8L |
| Performance |
26 TOPS |
13 TOPS |
| Network Size |
Larger networks supported |
Moderate networks |
| Processing Speed |
Faster inference |
Standard speed |
| Multi-Model |
3-5 concurrent models |
1-2 concurrent models |
| Best For |
Production, complex AI, commercial |
Learning, single task, entry-level |
| Price |
$110 USD |
$70 USD |
When to Choose 26 TOPS
- Running multiple AI models simultaneously
- Need faster inference times for real-time applications
- Working with larger, more complex neural networks
- Production or commercial deployments
- Industrial automation requiring multiple concurrent tasks
AI Applications You Can Build
Computer Vision
Object detection, image classification, semantic segmentation, instance segmentation
Industrial Automation
Defect detection, quality control, predictive maintenance, process monitoring
Robotics
Autonomous navigation, object manipulation, human-robot interaction, vision-guided assembly
Smart Home
Security systems, occupancy detection, face recognition, gesture control
Retail Analytics
People counting, queue management, shelf monitoring, customer analytics
Agriculture
Crop monitoring, disease detection, livestock monitoring, precision farming
What's Included
| AI HAT+ Board |
1x Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 26 TOPS with Hailo-8 |
| Stacking Header |
1x 16mm stacking header (for Active Cooler compatibility) |
| Mounting Hardware |
Spacers and screws for installation |
| Documentation |
Installation guide and getting started resources |
What You Need (Sold Separately)
Required Items - NOT Included
- Raspberry Pi 5 - REQUIRED (4GB, 8GB, or 16GB variant)
- Raspberry Pi Active Cooler - Strongly recommended for sustained AI workloads
- 27W USB-C Power Supply - Official Raspberry Pi 27W (5V/5A) recommended
- MicroSD Card - 64GB+ with latest Raspberry Pi OS
- Camera Module - Optional, for camera-based AI applications
- HAT+ Compatible Case - Standard Pi 5 cases won't fit
Important Information
CRITICAL: Raspberry Pi 5 ONLY
The AI HAT+ ONLY works with Raspberry Pi 5.
It requires the PCIe Gen 3 interface which is exclusive to Raspberry Pi 5. It will NOT work with Raspberry Pi 4B, 3B+, Zero, or any other Raspberry Pi model.
Active Cooling Strongly Recommended
The Hailo-8 accelerator generates heat under sustained AI workloads. The Raspberry Pi Official Active Cooler is strongly recommended. The AI HAT+ is designed to work with the Active Cooler using the provided 16mm stacking header.
Model Compilation Required
Your neural network models must be compiled for Hailo-8 using the Hailo Dataflow Compiler. Pre-compiled models are available in the Hailo Model Zoo. Models trained in TensorFlow, PyTorch, or ONNX can be compiled for the HAT+.
How It Works
The AI HAT+ connects directly to the Raspberry Pi 5's PCIe Gen 3 interface, providing a high-speed data path for neural network inference. When you boot your Pi 5 with the HAT+ installed:
- Automatic Detection - Raspberry Pi OS automatically detects the Hailo-8 accelerator
- NPU Availability - The neural processing unit becomes available for AI tasks
- Camera Integration - rpicam-apps automatically offload AI post-processing to the NPU
- Framework Support - Your AI applications can access the accelerator through standard frameworks
Installation Overview
Quick Installation Steps
- Install Raspberry Pi Active Cooler on Pi 5 (recommended)
- Attach provided spacers to create clearance for Active Cooler
- Install 16mm stacking header on Pi 5 GPIO
- Mount AI HAT+ on top of stacking header
- Secure with provided screws
- Power on - Raspberry Pi OS automatically detects the HAT+
No driver installation needed! The HAT+ is automatically recognized by Raspberry Pi OS.
Software & Frameworks
Supported AI Frameworks:
- TensorFlow & TensorFlow Lite - Industry-standard deep learning
- PyTorch - Popular research and production framework
- ONNX - Open Neural Network Exchange format
- Keras - High-level neural networks API
Pre-Compiled Models Available:
- YOLOv5, YOLOv8, YOLOv10 for object detection
- ResNet, MobileNet for image classification
- DeepLabv3 for semantic segmentation
- PoseNet for pose estimation
- Face detection and recognition models
Multiple Concurrent Models Demo
The 26 TOPS variant can run multiple AI models simultaneously at high frame rates. Example configuration:
- Object Detection - YOLOv8 identifying objects in frame
- Pose Estimation - Tracking human body keypoints
- Image Segmentation - Segmenting different scene elements
All running concurrently on a live camera feed at 30 FPS!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does this work with Raspberry Pi 4?
A: No. The AI HAT+ ONLY works with Raspberry Pi 5. It requires the PCIe Gen 3 interface exclusive to Pi 5.
Q: What's the difference between AI HAT+ and AI Kit?
A: The AI HAT+ has the Hailo chip soldered directly on the board (better thermal performance), while the AI Kit uses an M.2 module. The 26 TOPS HAT+ uses Hailo-8, while the AI Kit uses Hailo-8L (13 TOPS).
Q: Can I use my own AI models?
A: Yes! Compile your TensorFlow, PyTorch, or ONNX models using the Hailo Dataflow Compiler. Pre-compiled models are also available.
Q: Do I need a camera?
A: Not required, but camera-based applications are fully supported with automatic NPU integration in rpicam-apps.
Q: How many models can run simultaneously?
A: Depends on model complexity, but typically 3-5 moderate models can run concurrently at good frame rates.
Q: Does this need internet?
A: No. All AI processing happens on-device (edge AI). No cloud connection required for inference.
Q: What power supply do I need?
A: Use the official Raspberry Pi 27W (5V/5A) USB-C power supply. Lower wattage may cause throttling.
Why Buy from CrazyPi.com?
- Genuine Official Product - Authentic Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ with warranty
- Expert Support - Technical assistance for AI projects
- Fast Shipping - Quick delivery across India
- Complete Ecosystem - Pi 5, cameras, cooling, cases available
- Bundle Deals - Save on complete AI development kits
- Production Guaranteed - Official product supported until 2030
AI Development Kits Available!
Get everything you need for AI development. We offer AI Starter Kits with Pi 5 and camera, Developer Pro Kits with dual cameras and displays, and Industrial AI Kits with rugged cases - all at discounted bundle prices!
Technical Resources
- Official Product Page - Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ documentation
- Getting Started Guide - Step-by-step setup instructions
- Hailo Developer Zone - Model compilation and optimization
- Hailo Model Zoo - Pre-compiled neural network models
- Example Projects - Sample AI applications on GitHub
26 TOPS of Edge AI Power - No Cloud Required
Buy Official Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 26 TOPS at CrazyPi.com - India's source for Raspberry Pi AI solutions.
