Functional alpha package

From investor thesis to a buildable tabletop companion.

A production-shaped prototype backend, exact Canadian purchase list, safety architecture, assembly sequence and sixteen-week validation plan for ALMA Presence.

Download backend source Download BOM (.json)
RECOMMENDED BASELINE

Jetson integrated alpha

≈ C$1,630before tax + import shipping
C$1,950–2,200planning range landed
C$850–950stationary bench core

Prices checked 17 July 2026. Verify stock, tax, shipping and exact certification before purchasing.

System rule

The model proposes. Deterministic software decides.

No language model receives motor access, phone credentials, smart-home tokens or arbitrary network tools. Every real-world action enters a typed, auditable state machine with an exact payload and resident policy.

No arbitrary tool callsNo silent camera pathNo invented verified factsNo stale offline commitments

Functional prototype backend

Local-first services with an explicit safety boundary.

The downloadable consolidated source reconstructs a runnable FastAPI + SQLite reference implementation. It demonstrates verified memory, durable reminders, exact confirmation binding, action receipts, privacy state and an append-only audit trail.

01 · SENSE + INTERACT
Camera + presenceMic array + speakerTouch + controls
02 · EDGE RUNTIME
Voice + avatarVerified local cacheOffline scheduler
03 · ALMA INTELLIGENCE
Dialogue policyProactivity budgetRisk + permission gate
04 · NARROW SKILLS
AlmaTalkHome AssistantCalendar + media

Residents + care network

POST /v1/residentsGET /v1/residents/{id}POST /v1/residents/{id}/contactsPUT /v1/residents/{id}/home-entities/{entity_id}

Verified memory

POST /v1/residents/{id}/factsPOST /v1/facts/{id}/verifyGET /v1/residents/{id}/facts/query

Offline routines

POST /v1/residents/{id}/remindersGET /v1/residents/{id}/reminders/duePOST /v1/reminders/{id}/acknowledge

Deterministic action

POST /v1/actions/proposalsPOST /v1/actions/{id}/confirmGET /v1/actions/{id}/receipt

Device + privacy

POST /v1/residents/{id}/devicesPOST /v1/devices/{id}/eventsGET /v1/devices/{id}/health

Evidence trail

GET /v1/residents/{id}/auditGET /v1/avatar/contractGET /health
RUNNABLE NOW

Prototype vertical slice

Local database schema, policy engine, simulator, API routes, Docker launch path and automated policy tests.

ADAPTER BOUNDARIES

Ready to connect

Typed seams for AlmaTalk, Home Assistant, calendar, avatar events, edge hardware and future cloud sync.

BEFORE PILOT

Still requires validation

Threat modelling, penetration testing, privacy review, emergency-telephony review and hardware safety testing.

Purchase-ready prototype

Everything to buy for one integrated alpha.

Start with the stationary bench core. Add motion, enclosure, independent safety controls and backup power only after voice, memory and action-policy testing passes.

Subsystem Qty Recommended item Purpose Budget Purchase link
Compute 1 Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit 8 GB edge computer; primary multimodal alpha platform C$390 ↗
Compute 1 Intel AC8265 Wi‑Fi + Bluetooth kit M.2 module, antennas and cables for the Jetson C$35 ↗
Compute 1 Crucial P310 500 GB NVMe Separate encrypted storage for OS, models and local resident data C$84.99 ↗
Interface 1 Waveshare 10.1″ bonded touchscreen 1280×800 IPS, capacitive touch, toughened glass, VESA 75 C$160.95 ↗
Audio 1 ReSpeaker XVF3800 USB four-mic array Far-field capture, AEC, beamforming, VAD and direction of arrival C$90 ↗
Audio 1 set 3 W stereo speakers + TPA2016 amplifier Front-facing speech audio with gain control C$28.89 ↗
Vision 1 Logitech C920S webcam Stable USB/UVC 1080p camera with an integrated physical shutter C$69.99 ↗
Sensors 1 DFRobot C4001 24 GHz presence sensor Detects stationary occupants without requiring camera identity C$20.85 ↗
Sensors 1 VEML7700 ambient-light sensor Automatic display brightness without room imagery C$7.43 ↗
Motion 1 DYNAMIXEL XL430-W250-T actuator Position feedback plus load, temperature and voltage telemetry C$42 ↗
Motion 1 OpenRB-150 starter kit Independent motor controller and host-heartbeat watchdog C$72 ↗
Motion 1 ServoCity 6″ turntable bearing Carries the screen load independently of the actuator C$9.93 ↗
Motion 2 Mechanical limit switches Independent travel detection plus physical hard stops C$14.29 ↗
Motion 1 set GT2 belt, pulleys and printed drive hub Approximately 3:1 reduction for slower, quieter pan movement C$25 ↗
Power 1 Mean Well GSM60A12-P1J 12 V / 60 W supply Certified external motor/control supply with a fused motor branch C$45.04 ↗
Controls 1 Large illuminated help button Dedicated caregiver/help action; not presented as an emergency stop C$27.07 ↗
Controls 3–4 Illuminated volume, mute and call buttons Tactile, high-contrast and widely spaced controls C$35 ↗
Controls 1 Sabrent individually switched USB hub Prototype microphone-power disconnect; replace before a home pilot C$15 ↗
Safety 1 IDEC DPST-NC emergency-stop switch Physically interrupts only the motor branch; ALMA remains usable C$79.95 ↗
Power 1 CyberPower ST425 UPS Short graceful-shutdown reserve; not an emergency-service backup C$79.99 ↗
Fabrication 1 lot PETG/ASA enclosure + steel base materials 2–3 iterations, inserts, fasteners, rubber feet and guarded neck C$200 ↗
Fabrication 1 lot Cables, fused distribution and spares Short strain-relieved wiring, terminals, thermal sensor and fasteners C$100 ↗
STATIONARY BENCHC$850–950

Compute, display, storage, camera, audio and presence sensing.

INTEGRATED ALPHA≈ C$1,630

Full list before tax and import shipping.

LANDED ALLOWANCEC$1,950–2,200

Planning range including typical shipping and import uncertainty.

Optional demonstration pack

Add only what proves a specific pilot hypothesis.

These additions are useful for smart-home, connectivity and telephony demonstrations but are not required for the first bench build.

≈ C$70

Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2

Choose either Zigbee or Thread for the demo network.

Open source ↗C$20–35

Matter smart plug

Control only a lamp or fan—never a stove, kettle, medical device or door lock.

Open source ↗C$25–50 each

Door, leak and temperature sensors

Consensual household status with explicit acknowledgement rules.

Open source ↗≈ C$275

Home Assistant Green

Optional isolated pilot hub; unnecessary for the first bench build.

Open source ↗C$250–450 + plan

Canadian LTE gateway

Verify Canadian bands and certification for the exact model before ordering.

Open source ↗From US$1–1.15/mo + usage

Canadian SIP/WebRTC number

Configure and test a registered emergency address with the provider.

Open source ↗

Assembly sequence

Prove the software before enclosing the risk.

The order deliberately separates conversation value, tool safety and mechanical safety so failures are easy to isolate.

01

Bench core

Jetson, display, NVMe, camera, mic array and speakers. Run the software-only magic moments.

02

Policy + tools

Connect mock AlmaTalk and Home Assistant adapters. Pass confirmation and adversarial tests.

03

Independent motion

Commission the OpenRB watchdog, actuator, bearing, hard stops and lost-heartbeat response.

04

Physical controls

Validate shutter, true mic disconnect, help, volume and motor-stop circuits with the app crashed.

05

Enclosure

Add weighted base, guarded neck, strain relief, airflow and wipe-clean surfaces after thermal measurement.

06

Pilot hardening

Run outage, reboot, DST, noise, replay-injection, anti-tip, obstruction and support-recovery tests.

Definition of done

Ten gates before a supported home pilot.

  1. The same verified question produces the same source-backed answer.
  2. No model or service can bypass policy and exact confirmation.
  3. External operations are idempotent and always show a receipt.
  4. Reminders survive network loss, process crash, reboot and DST.
  5. Consent withdrawal and deletion propagate to local and cloud stores.
  6. Physical privacy controls remain effective when the app has crashed.
  7. No raw room audio or video is retained by default.
  8. Motor movement stops safely on lost feedback or host heartbeat.
  9. Every uncertain visual result is spoken as uncertain.
  10. Privacy, security, telecom, accessibility and product-safety reviews are complete.

Next move

Fund the sixteen-week integrated alpha.

Build five devices, test the three magic moments, and let trust—not novelty—decide what ALMA earns the right to become next.

Start an investor conversation ↗Download the prototype kit