I seem to be of a similar opinion of the OP @linuxrants that its actually quite desirable to have something that resembles a ‘finished’ product that is not just about asthetics but a robust working unit.
It really bodes well for Mycroft that respeaker core 2 doesn’t have an enclosure off the shelf.
Its also why I think the Mycroft II prototype is far off the mark as there is a huge array of kit(s) crying out for a simple enclosure system.
I am not at all sure why its has such a specific BoM and design rather than a modular system that can be an open extensible system of many options and for many reason shouldn’t be a specifc model.
That it could be a Respeaker Core2, Raspberry Pi to Jetson Nano and really suggest thinking about some simple building block solutions that can complete an array of options to provide finished products that are fit for purpose.
I think you can have a series of stackable ‘disk’ compartment modules that sit on top of each other and are interchangeable to give a huge array of options.
If you design it well you give even set a typle of AI format that AIX could be the ATX of AI.
Likely needs to try and gain a low center of gravity and get weight into bottom compartments and stack up with lighter units. But also sound advantage of density.
Mic array should have choice so it suits a wide array of taste, pocket and application.
Starting with the excellent value 2 mic https://www.seeedstudio.com/ReSpeaker-2-Mics-Pi-HAT.html
Its $9.90 and its amazing how hard it is to get a multichannel mics as all equivalent priced USB audio adapters seem to be mono.
I have been slowly chipping away at pulseaudio webrtc beamforming module and yesturday found a DoA (Direction of Arrival) lib as its been puzzling me how does it beamforming with the DoA that seems missing from the code.
GitHub - voice-engine/voice-engine: building blocks to create voice interface applications has a DoA wake-word routine that finally allows me to add the target_direction to the beamforming routine of the WebRTC AEC module.
Its rather inelegant as I am thinking I will have to pactl unload/load the module to update the target_direction co-ordinates but hey this is a base cheap and cheerful option.
Also can be fitted with a adafruit pixel ring but again its extensible from a very basic base.
The 4mic array is excellent value has DoA and all the goodies with an inbuilt pixel ring.
Hard to beat @ $24.90
Then the step up to the ReSpeaker Mic Array v2.0 - Seeed Studio
$64.00! but that XMOS audio processor is cutting edge.
If the top of the stack (which it can be or not, but will get to that later) is a single compartment that stacks on the audio / psu / hub compartment with and an array of fixing holes that fits all or they are simply interchangable compartments of a common format.
Then the next in the stack is the amp / buck / hub compartment.
Next is the SBC compartment as with heatsinks they can form much of the low center of gravity.
Bottom compartment is for speaker(s) and may not even have one as BT5 and true satelite seperation might also be a choice option.
Each compartment is a series of open frame stacks that fit into a PVC or acrylic tube that can be vinyl or cloth wrapped to finish.
That further options should be LCD displays but here again there should be a huge array of choice.
From the adafruit ‘Eyes’ module
To flexible e ink or Oled
and even standard LCD touch screens if you wish.
I dunno what worldwide standard tubes are but 110mm as an example could squeeze but whatever is can be standardised uo to 160mm as at that size its AIX format but things definately fit.
The stackable compartments don’t need to be much more than fixing rings that will help with aperture stacks if touch is going to be included but I have to say touch and far-field seem totally different applications to me.
There is loads to think about much thought needs to be about material density or Mycroft will sound like a plastic hollow box.
To crown the stack it could well be possible to provide a PT (Pan/Tilt) camera as all the above arrays have direction of arrival technology.
That this could be for out-of-ocupancy security, baby-monitor or inter-room to door video conferencing.
Its a niche market and making a specific niche product in a niche market narrows numbers massively and why it doesn’t make sense to create a specific BoM product when you could satify an array of options, budget and applications.
Mycroft could have instant possibilities in being the Adafruit of AI as its extremely frustrating for many that there is a lack of some simple enclosures, never mind an extensible AI format that offers an aray of choice quite simply.