VTM OS™: Community Edition

Open-Core Bio-Mimetic AI Architecture for Arduino Uno Q

"Learn with me as I learn."

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VTM OS™ Platform

The VTM OS™ is an open-core platform designed to bridge the gap between high-level cognitive processing and real-time physical control. This repository hosts the Community Edition, providing a foundational framework for makers and developers to implement bio-mimetic AI on microcontrollers like the Arduino Uno Q.

🤖 Official Hardware: VTM P³

Code needs a body. The VTM P³ (Physical Prototyping Platform) is the official reference hardware for VTM OS. It is a modular "Vertical Workbench" built using standard industrial automation parts.

*Prices listed below are as of Jan 30, 2026 and subject to change.*

🏗️ VTM P³ Hardware Bill of Materials (BOM)

To replicate the VTM P³ "Laboratory Standard" frame, these are the verified V-Slot components.

1. The Skeleton (Aluminum)

Component	Spec	Qty Needed	Price (Approx)	Purchase Link	Build Notes
Main Towers (Y-Axis)	2040 V-Slot (500mm)	4 Rails	$26.99	Amazon Link	⚠️ Important: Link is for a 2-Pack. Order Qty: 2 to get the 4 rails needed.
Z-Axis Feet	4040 V-Slot (400mm)	2 Rails	$46.02	Amazon Link	The heavy base. Provides the "desk footprint" stability.
Base Crossbar	4040 V-Slot (300mm)	1 Rail	$35.82	Amazon Link	Link is for a 2-Pack. You will have 1 spare rail for future upgrades.
Drawer Supports	2040 V-Slot (400mm)	1 Rail	$18.99	Amazon Link	Link is for a 2-Pack. You will have 1 spare rail (good for testing).
Top Rail (X-Axis)	2020 V-Slot (300mm)	1 Rail	$16.99	Amazon Link	Link is for a 4-Pack. You get 3 spare rails for mounting lights/cameras.

2. The Joints (Fasteners & Brackets)

Component	Spec	Quantity	Price	Purchase Link	Notes
The "Everything" Kit	M5 T-Nuts & Screws	240 Pcs	$12.99	Amazon Link	Essential. Includes 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm screws.
Corner Brackets	2020 L-Brackets	30 Sets	$12.99	Amazon Link	The 90-degree joints for the frame. Comes with matching screws.
Monitor Mount	VESA 75/100 Plate	1 Unit	~$19.99	Amazon Search	Search for "Sim Rig VESA Mount". Bolts directly to the 2020 Top Rail.

3. The Muscles (Motion)

The robotic kinematics. This kit provides the arm structure and high-torque servos in a single package. Two arms are required for full bi-manual operation.

Component	Spec	Quantity	Price	Purchase Link	Notes
6DOF LeArm Kit	Full Metal + 6x Digital Servos	2 Kits	$139.99	Amazon Link	⚠️ Important: Order Qty: 2. Features anti-stall digital servos.

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💰 Platform Build Estimate

The VTM P³ is an Open Source Reference Design. The costs below represent the specific "Laboratory Standard" configuration used in the documentation, but builders are encouraged to swap or scavenge parts.

Subsystem	Components	Cost to Replicate
1. The Skeleton	Industrial Aluminum Extrusion Frame	~$172.00
2. The Joints	Fasteners, Brackets & VESA Mount	~$46.00
3. The Muscles	2x 6DOF Metal Arm Kits (Digital Servos)	~$280.00
TOTAL ESTIMATE	Full Prototyping Platform	~$498.00

🎓 The Open Source Advantage: A proprietary dual-arm research robot (like the WidowX) typically costs $2,500+ because you are paying for custom manufacturing and gatekeeping. The VTM P³ achieves similar utility for <$500 by standardizing on mass-produced, off-the-shelf automation components that you can repair, replace, or upgrade yourself.

🎥 Watch the Demos

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📖 Documentation & The Growth Guide

The VTM OS is more than just a repository; it's an evolving prototyping ecosystem. To understand the "Mind-Body-Link" architecture and start your own evolutionary build, visit our official documentation:

👉 Enter the VTM OS Wiki

• Evolutionary Growth Guide: The 5-stage roadmap from a box of parts to an AI Hub.
• Technical Specs: Deep dive into the VTM-BioLink™ Protocol.
• Troubleshooting: Solving common connection and environment issues.

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🧠 System Architecture: VTM Bio-Mimetic™

The architecture mimics a biological nervous system by decoupling high-level reasoning from real-time execution.

1. The Host Platform ("The Mind")

• VTM Personality Core™ (Community): Basic local host management and LLM API bridging.
• Function: Handles cognition and "Thought Processing" to determine intent.

2. The BioLink Interface ("The Body")

• VTM-BioLink Protocol™ (Community): The open telemetry standard for translating AI intent into fluid, organic motion.
• Target Hardware: Optimized for the high-speed execution of the Arduino Uno Q.

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🛠 Open-Core Licensing Model

VTM OS™ operates on an Open-Core model to support the maker community while maintaining professional-grade standards for industrial applications.

• Community Edition (This Repo): Licensed under MIT. This includes the core communication protocols and basic architecture for non-commercial use and community experimentation.
• Professional/Industrial: Advanced personality modules, secured telemetry, and Proprietary Hardware Reference Designs (including the VTM Reference Chassis with integrated modular storage systems) are available under a Proprietary License.

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🚀 Getting Started

1. Download and Navigate

Clone the repository and move into the directory. This ensures the environment is built inside the project folder, not your home directory.

git clone [https://github.com/VideotronicMaker/VideotronicMaker-OS.git](https://github.com/VideotronicMaker/VideotronicMaker-OS.git)
cd VideotronicMaker-OS

2. Environment Setup (macOS/Linux)

Create an isolated virtual environment to prevent library conflicts.

python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Launch the Mind

Ensure your service_account.json is in the project root. Activate the environment and start the system:

source venv/bin/activate
python3 app.py

🚀 Uno Q SBC - Community Edition Quick Start

Running VTM OS™ directly on the Arduino Uno Q (SBC/MPU) allows for a fully integrated AI-to-Hardware experience. This version is optimized for the internal VTM-BioLink™ bridge.

1. Download and Navigate

Clone the repository and move into the directory. This ensures the environment is built inside the project folder, not your home directory.

git clone https://github.com/VideotronicMaker/VideotronicMaker-OS.git
cd VideotronicMaker-OS

2. Manual Terminal Setup (Uno Q)

Open a terminal on the Uno Q and run these commands to prepare the environment:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y python3-pip python3-venv
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install flask pyserial "google-generativeai>=0.8.3" psutil

3. Launch the Mind

Ensure your service_account.json is in the project root. Activate the environment and start the system:

source venv/bin/activate
python3 app.py

5. Access the Nexus Dashboard

Open your browser on your host machine to: http://localhost:5002

2. Configuration

Ensure your service_account.json is located in the root directory. This provides the necessary Application Default Credentials (ADC) for the Gemini API to function correctly.

⚙️ Google Cloud & API Configuration

The VTM OS™ requires a Google Cloud Service Account to access the Gemini 2.0 Flash API.

1. Create a Project & Enable API

1. Go to the Google Cloud Console.
2. Create a New Project (e.g., "VTM-OS-Project").
3. Search for "Generative Language API" and click Enable.

2. Create Service Account Credentials

1. Navigate to APIs & Services > Credentials.
2. Click + Create Credentials and select Service Account.
3. Name the account vtm-os-user and click Create and Continue.
4. For the role, select Project > Viewer and click Done.

3. Generate and Place the JSON Key

1. Click on the newly created service account email address.
2. Click the Keys tab > Add Key > Create New Key.
3. Select JSON and click Create.
4. A file will download to your computer. Rename this file to exactly service_account.json.
5. Move the file into the root directory of the vtm-os-community-edition folder.

Note: The app.py script looks specifically for service_account.json in the root folder to authenticate your AI requests.

3. Community Radio Setup

The built-in music player automatically scans the static/music directory.

• Drop your .mp3 or .wav files into ./static/music/.
• The system will detect new tracks and populate the playlist upon the next browser refresh.

4. Hardware Integration

• Arduino Sketch: Upload vtm_mouth_controller.ino to your Arduino Uno Q.
• Architecture: Review the VTM Wiki for detailed mapping of the "Mind-to-Body" bridge.

🤝 Contribution & Support

• Contribute: Submit issues or pull requests to improve the Community Edition core.
• Stay Updated: Follow the Official LinkedIn for development logs.

Learn with me as I learn.

© 2026 VideotronicMaker. All Rights Reserved. Trademarks of Tishin Padilla.