Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to build the AI plant monitor and website using a Raspberry Pi Zero W and a Raspberry Pi Camera. This is the setup many of you have asked for—it performs the same core functions as the build in Episode 1 (identifying plant type and health) but uses more compact, cost-effective hardware.
We’ll be integrating Google’s Gemini AI via AI Studio for the plant analysis, Firebase for our database, and Vercel to host our custom web dashboard. This system runs automatically; as long as your Pi is powered and connected to the internet, you can monitor your plants from anywhere in the world.
Whether you are a woman in STEM, a DIY enthusiast, or a tech mentor, this project demonstrates how powerful AI can be when paired with the tiny Raspberry Pi Zero W.
Hardware Used in this Video:
Raspberry Pi Zero W - amzn.to/4dpI7W3
Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera - amzn.to/4tG7Y2i
Lens for HQ Camera - amzn.to/4dvXbBG
Pi Zero Camera Cable (Standard to Mini) - amzn.to/4dvXbBG
Book: "A Woman's Guide to Winning in Tech" -
The links provided are affiliate links in which I may make a small commission but doesn't affect the price that you pay. This helps to keep my channel going to produce content for you.
GitHub Repository: github.com/carolinedunn/AI-Plant-Review
Prerequisites:
Raspberry Pi Zero Headless Setup: youtu.be/gTqhIItQHSk
Troubleshooting Help: If you are unable to get this project to work, rewatching the video more closely usually clears up 99% of errors. If you've gone through it and would like direct 1-1 help, you can book a live session with me here: fiverr.com/s/bd1kl6m
Check out the series:
Episode 1: DIY Remote Plant Monitor (Original Build) - youtu.be/2Ml0UmqRSCw
Episode 2: Add a Soil Moisture Sensor - youtu.be/yxy1AmOGVfw
Episode 3: Build an Automatic Self-Watering System - youtu.be/m9RlRC9JQWk
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction & Project Overview
2:02 - Materials
2:45 - Attaching the Camera Cable correctly
4:14 - Forking the GitHub Repository
5:00 - Firebase Project & Firestore Setup
6:12 - Setting Database Rules & Security Secret
7:49 - Registering the Firebase Web App
8:32 - Generating a Gemini API Key in Google AI Studio
9:06 - Deploying to Vercel & Setting Environment Variables
11:56 - Raspberry Pi Terminal Setup & Dependencies
13:15 - Testing the Camera
13:58 - Focusing the Lens via Screen Sharing
15:06 - Writing the "Take Photo" Python Script
17:26 - Automating photo capture
18:22 - Image Upload Script
20:12 - Automating photo capture
21:12 - Final Demo: Web Dashboard & AI Analysis
If you found this tutorial helpful, please like and subscribe for more Raspberry Pi, tech, and travel content!
📘 A Woman’s Guide to Winning in Tech
A Woman’s Guide to Winning in Tech blends sharp humor with practical career strategies to help women navigate tech on their own terms—without changing who they are.
Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and IngramSpark
Learn more: winningintech.com
Follow the book:
Facebook: facebook.com/winningintech
Instagram: instagram.com/winning.tech
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to build the AI plant monitor and website using a Raspberry Pi Zero W and a Raspberry Pi Camera. This is the setup many of you have asked for—it performs the same core functions as the build in Episode 1 (identifying plant type and health) but uses more compact, cost-effective hardware.
We’ll be integrating Google’s Gemini AI via AI Studio for the plant analysis, Firebase for our database, and Vercel to host our custom web dashboard. This system runs automatically; as long as your Pi is powered and connected to the internet, you can monitor your plants from anywhere in the world.
Whether you are a woman in STEM, a DIY enthusiast, or a tech mentor, this project demonstrates how powerful AI can be when paired with the tiny Raspberry Pi Zero W.
Hardware Used in this Video:
Raspberry Pi Zero W - amzn.to/4dpI7W3
Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera - amzn.to/4tG7Y2i
Lens for HQ Camera - amzn.to/4dvXbBG
Pi Zero Camera Cable (Standard to Mini) - amzn.to/4dvXbBG
Book: "A Woman's Guide to Winning in Tech" -
The links provided are affiliate links in which I may make a small commission but doesn't affect the price that you pay. This helps to keep my channel going to produce content for you.
GitHub Repository: github.com/carolinedunn/AI-Plant-Review
Prerequisites:
Raspberry Pi Zero Headless Setup: youtu.be/gTqhIItQHSk
Troubleshooting Help: If you are unable to get this project to work, rewatching the video more closely usually clears up 99% of errors. If you've gone through it and would like direct 1-1 help, you can book a live session with me here: fiverr.com/s/bd1kl6m
Check out the series:
Episode 1: DIY Remote Plant Monitor (Original Build) - youtu.be/2Ml0UmqRSCw
Episode 2: Add a Soil Moisture Sensor - youtu.be/yxy1AmOGVfw
Episode 3: Build an Automatic Self-Watering System - youtu.be/m9RlRC9JQWk
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction & Project Overview
2:02 - Materials
2:45 - Attaching the Camera Cable correctly
4:14 - Forking the GitHub Repository
5:00 - Firebase Project & Firestore Setup
6:12 - Setting Database Rules & Security Secret
7:49 - Registering the Firebase Web App
8:32 - Generating a Gemini API Key in Google AI Studio
9:06 - Deploying to Vercel & Setting Environment Variables
11:56 - Raspberry Pi Terminal Setup & Dependencies
13:15 - Testing the Camera
13:58 - Focusing the Lens via Screen Sharing
15:06 - Writing the "Take Photo" Python Script
17:26 - Automating photo capture
18:22 - Image Upload Script
20:12 - Automating photo capture
21:12 - Final Demo: Web Dashboard & AI Analysis
If you found this tutorial helpful, please like and subscribe for more Raspberry Pi, tech, and travel content!
📘 A Woman’s Guide to Winning in Tech
A Woman’s Guide to Winning in Tech blends sharp humor with practical career strategies to help women navigate tech on their own terms—without changing who they are.
Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and IngramSpark
Learn more: winningintech.com
Follow the book:
Facebook: facebook.com/winningintech
Instagram: instagram.com/winning.tech
