Getting Started

Welcome! Here’s how to get your OWL up and running.

Connect a USB Drive

The OWL software requires that you connect a USB drive to the Raspberry Pi for data collection. The software will not start without one connected.

We recommend the Sandisk Fit or Samsung drives that will fit within the Compact enclosure.

What do I need?

Need hardware?

View the full parts lists and assembly guides for the Original OWL and Compact OWL. The Paradar driver board is available from the Paradar store.

Hardware Requirements
Already have parts?

Jump straight to the assembly guides for the Original OWL or Compact OWL.

Original OWL

How do I install the software?

Once your hardware is assembled with a Raspberry Pi and camera connected, the installer is three commands. Click Run install to watch what that looks like:

Two-Step Install (Recommended)

Automated setup — download the repo and run the installer. Up and running in ~10 minutes.

Two-Step Install
Detailed Install

Step-by-step manual installation. Learn what happens under the hood (~60 minutes).

Detailed Installation

Prerequisites

Before installing, ensure you have:

  • A fully assembled OWL unit (Original OWL or Compact OWL)

  • A Raspberry Pi with a fresh installation of Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit)

  • A connected Raspberry Pi camera module (USB or Raspberry Pi cameras supported)

  • SSH access or a connected monitor/keyboard

What about the dashboard and remote control?

After installation, you can set up a dashboard for remote monitoring and control:

Mode

Description

Best For

Standalone

OWL creates its own WiFi hotspot with local dashboard

Single OWL, field use, no network infrastructure

Networked

OWL joins existing WiFi with remote MQTT broker

Multiple OWLs, farm network integration
Standalone Setup

Single OWL with its own WiFi hotspot. Connect from your phone or tablet.

Standalone Setup
Networked Setup

Multiple OWLs on an existing network with optional central controller.

Networked Setup

What should I choose?

  • Just want to try it out? → Install software only (Basic OWL, no dashboard)

  • Single unit in the field? → Standalone OWL

  • Multiple OWLs? → Networked OWL + Controller

Configuration Comparison

Feature

Basic

Standalone

Networked

Weed detection

Yes

Yes

Yes

Auto-start on boot

Yes

Yes

Yes

WiFi hotspot

No

Yes

No

Web dashboard

No

Yes

Yes

Remote video feed

No

Yes

Yes

MQTT communication

No

Yes (local)

Yes (remote)

Multi-OWL support

No

No

Yes

Requires network

No

No

Yes

Phone/tablet control

No

Yes

Yes

Need a tutorial?

Need help?

Tip

New to the command line? Check out the Glossary for explanations of terminal commands, Linux concepts, and OWL-specific terms.