Raspberry Pi Build HAT
Published October 2021
Raspberry Pi (Trading) Ltd
Overview
The  Raspberry  Pi  Build  HAT  is  an  add-on  board  designed  in  collaboration  with 
LEGO® Education to make it easy to control LEGO® Technic™ motors and sensors with 
Raspberry Pi computers.
It  provides  four  connectors  for  LEGO  Technic  motors  and  sensors  from  the 
LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Portfolio. The available sensors include a distance sensor, a 
colour sensor, and a force sensor. The angular motors come in a range of sizes and 
include integrated encoders that can be queried to find their position.
The Build HAT fits all Raspberry Pi computers with a 40-pin GPIO header, including — with 
the addition of a ribbon cable or other extension device — Raspberry Pi 400. Connected 
LEGO  Technic  devices  can  easily  be  controlled  in  Python,  alongside  standard 
Raspberry Pi accessories such as a camera module.
The  Raspberry  Pi  Build  HAT  power  supply,  available  separately,  is  designed  to 
power  both  the  Build  HAT  and  Raspberry  Pi  computer  along  with  all  connected 
LEGO Technic devices.
The LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime set 45678 and SPIKE™ Prime Expansion set 45681, 
available  separately  from  LEGO  Education  resellers,  include  a  collection  of  useful 
elements supported by the Build HAT.
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Raspberry Pi Build HAT – Raspberry Pi (Trading) Ltd
Specification
•  Controls up to four LEGO Technic motors and sensors included in the SPIKE Portfolio, 
along  with  those  from  the  LEGO®  MINDSTORMS® Robot  Inventor  kit  and  most  other 
LEGO devices that use an LPF2 connector
•  Fits onto any Raspberry Pi computer with a 40-pin GPIO header
•  Easy-to-use Python library to control your LEGO Technic devices
•   Onboard Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller manages low-level control of 
LEGO Technic devices
• DC power connector: 2.1mm barrel jack, centre positive
•  Requires an external 8V ±10% DC power source – like the Raspberry Pi Build HAT Power 
Supply, or a  7.5V battery pack – to power the Build HAT, Raspberry Pi computer (except 
Raspberry Pi 400), and connected LEGO Technic devices
Physical specification
65
29
2.75
30
14
3.5
14
30
30
Note: all dimensions in mm
4
3.5
56.5
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Raspberry Pi Build HAT – Raspberry Pi (Trading) Ltd
WARNINGS
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 This product shall only be connected to a Raspberry Pi via the GPIO header.
 Any external power supply used with the Raspberry Pi Build HAT shall comply with relevant regulations and standards 
applicable in the country of intended use.
 This product should be operated in a well-ventilated environment, and if used inside a case, the case should not 
be covered.
 Whilst in use, this product should be placed on a stable, flat, non-conductive surface, and should not be contacted by 
conductive items.
 The connection of incompatible devices to the Raspberry Pi Build HAT may affect compliance, result in damage to the 
unit, and invalidate the warranty.
 The connection of incompatible devices to the GPIO connection of a Raspberry Pi computer may affect compliance 
and result in damage to the unit and invalidate the warranty.
 All peripherals used with this product should comply with relevant standards for the country of use and be marked 
accordingly to ensure that safety and performance requirements are met.
 The cables and connectors of all peripherals used with this product must have adequate insulation so that relevant 
safety requirements are met.
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•  Operation of this device requires adult supervision.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
To avoid malfunction or damage to this product, please observe the following:
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 Do not expose to water or moisture, or place on a conductive surface whilst in operation.
 Do not expose to heat from any source; Raspberry Pi computers and the Raspberry Pi Build HAT are designed for 
reliable operation at normal ambient temperatures.
 Take care whilst handling to avoid mechanical or electrical damage to the printed circuit board and connectors. 
 Whilst it is powered, avoid handling the printed circuit board, or only handle it by the corners to minimise the risk of 
electrostatic discharge damage.
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Raspberry Pi Build HAT – Raspberry Pi (Trading) Ltd
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Raspberry Pi Build HAT – Raspberry Pi (Trading) Ltd
Raspberry Pi is a trademark of Raspberry Pi (Trading) Ltd